The other issues are currently being fixed with driver updates, but with the standard set of software / drivers I had the following experience:
It would not always go to sleep when closing the lid
When it wakes up from sleep the WiFi doesn't work anymore, and it blue-screens Windows 8 when you fiddle with it
The touch-pad is flaky at times and does not respond to taps
It would take up to 20 seconds before it would restart or shut-down. The start-up time is amazing at almost instant, but I've gotten annoyed with having to wait for it to shutdown or restart.
Even though I've set it to not adjust the brightness automatically, it would continue to continuously adjust brightness
I've re-installed Windows 8 and cherry-picked drivers / software and it seems to do much better now. The latest versions of drivers fix a lot of issues, and some of the bugs are to be expected with a brand new machine, so it's definitely not a major fault.
Because the hardware is so new, Linux is somewhat of a challenge to install (you need a 3.10+ kernel, custom patches from Intel to get the 7260 WiFi chip going and a kernel hack to get the CPU frequency scaling to work correctly,) but the experience is excellent in Linux. I'd say it was better than Windows 8 out of the box.
If it weren't for the fan noise, I'd recommend this little machine in a heartbeat. As it stands, it's a great attempt from Sony, but it falls short for me on a few things (noise and stability).
Update (7/29/2013):
I've been using it for a few weeks now and have taken it with me on travel abroad. In noisier environments (airports, offices, etc) you really never notice the fan noise, it doesn't get very hot and it actually works really well on a plane. While people next to me had to assume yoga positions to still see their screen when the person in front of them reclined their seat, I could comfortably fit it still on the tray-table. Additionally, it feels faster than the Thinkpad T410 from work and I can use it as a software development laptop.
I still stand by my complaints however. In a silent environment the fan noise is annoying, even at the lowest speed and I've caught myself lowering the resolution at times to reduce some eye-strain as the text is tiny at the standard screen resolution. So if you're considering this because of the higher resolution... also consider the downside. And finally, the WiFi still seems to have issues as it drops once in a while.
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Let me start by saying that this Ultrabook was exactly what I expected when I opened the boxed, but shortly after using it the disappointment started to sit in. I bought this item in search of a fast mobile device that I could use on the go without sacrificing performance. Well for starters the Wifi connection kept disconnecting when I would switch between apps. I contacted Sony and they assisted with updating the Wifi Driver and claim that it was an known issue from Intel not Sony. The next issue that made me return this item was after I did a recommended upgrade, the mouse track pad stopped working. I haven't contacted Sony about this issue, I have chosen to return the item since I've had it for less than 2 weeks and who knows what other issues will pop up. I really wanted to like this product but will wait until Sony have worked out their kinks.Best Deals for Sony VAIO Pro SVP11213CXB 11.6-Inch Core i5 Touchscreen Ultrabook
Let me try and address some of the negative comments:1. WiFiAdmittedly there are some intermittent wifi issues... but I'm talking maybe once a day...not every 5 minutes. With heavy use maybe twice. And all I have to do is disconnect and reconnect and I'm good to go for hours. More importantly, Sony is aware and they have been delivering new wifi driver updates about once a week. The last one may even have fixed the issue. Have not had enough time to tell for sure.
2. Fan noiseNo idea what people are talking about...have not noticed anything unusual.
3. Customer serviceamazing! First night I brought it home I had some difficulty with the software updates. They had to be run manually. Called Sony around 10 at night and they stayed with me throughout the process and got everything up to speed. You will find that there are a number of updates available when you bring this baby home. Have called a couple more times and always get great service.
Now for the amazing parts. Light as a feather! I can't believe how much I love the weight of this thing. I just carry it all over the apartment...my ipad never gets opened anymore.
The battery!! The internal battery lasts a good 6-7 hours of normal use. I brought it to a Drupal conference and it lasted from 9AM until about 3:30PM. Still had 17% left but I plugged in at that point. And I was in intensive training sessions with the laptop working the whole time except for lunch. BUT even better...I bought the extended battery...once you get the hang of it very easy to attach and detach... battery life is about 15 hours!!!! I went three days without plugging in!
Those two features alone are just about orgasmic:)
Windows 8I tend to love new apps , so I'm enjoying it. Google Tips and Tricks for Windows 8 and you will find a load of fun shortcuts and features.
So... I was warned...don't buy a Sony... but I am so glad I did. I absolutely love this laptop.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2013: As much as I love the weight, the battery life and I do love windows 8... Sony is not a good company to get involved with. I never got rid of the wifi issues and then this happened!!
I tried updating to windows 8.1. I followed all the instructions and then did the update. It seemed okay but wifi was worse. I called support. They told me there were all these other drivers I needed to add before I could update and I would need to do a full factory reset. I balked. Called the Sony store. They said dont worry...bring it in we can fix it. By this time I was getting all kinds of buggy behavior.
Went to the store... the guy was totally matter of fact and din't really give a hoot. Did a malaware scan. Found a little potential issue...no big deal. Told me he would have to do a factory reset etc and that it would cost $200!!! Still under warranty but this was "software" even though it was the damn operating system. I said never mind. But please order me the free dongle that improves wifi. He said okay. Put in the order.
Came back with the paperwork, I signed it. AND then he said...oh btw... we have to keep your computer until the dongle gets delivered. Then you can come retrieve your computer. I said no way... screw you ...took my computer and went home.
The computer works ...the few issues have disappeared for the moment. If they come back I'll do the reinstall myself. But I will never buy another Sony!!!!
Update 10/27: Okay...I am over my snit. Removing one star for aggravation. But I finally got the dongle and I get no more wifi issues. The windows 8.1 upgrade worked out fine. I simply ran into a couple of really bad support people. But I have also had some great support. If you suspect the person you are talking to doesn't get it...call back and get someone else. And whatever you do... don't listen if they tell you that you have to reset to factory defaults.
It's a remarkable machine... light as a feather... super long battery life ... and now that I have the external wifi adapter (tiny...like a wireless mouse plug)... my wifi works great. But you may have to push a bit to get things up to speed. Make sure to do all the updates before upgrading to windows 8.1.
Honest reviews on Sony VAIO Pro SVP11213CXB 11.6-Inch Core i5 Touchscreen Ultrabook
I question the validity of earlier poor comments regarding wifi. This laptop hooked right up to my wireless network, even before I installed the updated driver and runs very well. It runs quiet and is nice and cool, with no fan noise. The battery also appears to hold up well and does not need frequent charging unless the laptop is run for over 6 hours.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sony VAIO Pro SVP11213CXB 11.6-Inch Core i5 Touchscreen Ultrabook
I bought this computer as a travel companion for long trips, as I was tired of lugging around my 17inch brick of a laptop. This computer is so light in my bag that I often have to double check that I actually am carrying it! This is by far the most portable computer I have ever owned.In terms of computing power, it has been more than sufficient for browsing, document writing, and even some light gaming (the HD4400 is impressive for an integrated mobile chip, even at 1080p). The screen is amazing, the pixel and color definition are stunning, and the HDMI output makes this a great portable entertainment machine. The touch interface adds some fluidity to Windows 8, and is responsive and convenient.
Any issues I encountered were fixed by using Sony's driver update utility. The fan noise is present as stated in other reviews, but unless you are computing in a silent room it is not noticeable. Sony's included utilities for recovery and assistance are excellent.
Storage and memory are fixed, so before you take the plunge, make sure the 256/8GB option isn't for you. The SD card slot allows for quick expansion, but that is not as stable as an option as an overall larger drive.
Pros:
-Lightweight
-Impressive screen
-HDMI output
-Enough power for everyday computing
Cons:
-Storage Limitations
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