Official Vaio Y 13.3 Series Owners Lounge

[visiom88]

@selekkkkka

I figured that Vaio Care software doesn't support Win7 Ultimate, so I went on and installed Win7 Pro instead. I used Sony Download Taxi which gives you an instruction to what to install first before installing Vaio Care (note: Hardware diagnostics tools MUST be installed AFTER installing Vaio Care), and Vaio Care now launches by pressing "Assist" button.

[selekkkkka]

Thanks for the tip regarding the hardware diagnostics! About the download taxi, errr… Don’t seem to be able to find it on European support sites. So, it downloads and installs drivers and stuff in the right order? Is that it? Could you post a link or something? Sorry about all the questions, hope I’m not being a dunse!

[alanbrenton]

A cylindrical bump protrudes from the bottom about 5/8" or 15mm. I can take a picture if it would help.



3DMark06 score around 1250-1300 for the i5-430UM versus 1900-1950 for the i5-430M based on other reviews.

For comparison, visiom88 got a score of 3438 for his Y with i3-330UM and ATI. i5-430UM and ATI would be higher still. If you want to game, ULV + dedicated graphics is a much better option than standard processor with integrated graphics.

If I go with the ATI GPU vs. integrated, would I be losing an hour (out of 5) of battery life on the standard battery pack? Thanks.

[visiom88]

@selekkkkka
Download Taxi just lets you keep track of what you downloaded. You can find the same installing instruction on this page, under "You may need this," as well. Hope this helps!

@alanbrenton
I'm getting slightly more than 5 hours of battery life with the dedicated graphics and the standard battery.

[alanbrenton]

@selekkkkka
Download Taxi just lets you keep track of what you downloaded. You can find the same installing instruction on this page, under "You may need this," as well. Hope this helps!

@alanbrenton
I'm getting slightly more than 5 hours of battery life with the dedicated graphics and the standard battery.

Thanks Visiom88. I'll probably go with the ATI graphics card then once the customizable Y series is available in Canada or maybe I will just purchase in the US and pick it up there. Always have to pay a 20% premium up north!

[disaster123]

I've tried to reinstall Windows from scratch to have a clean one. Does anybody know how / where to get the drivers?
My Model: VPCY21C5E
Sony site the drivers are completely empty:
VAIO : Sony Europe

[morfino]

Hi! I have a question. A friend is selling me a Sony Vaio Y series laptop model VPCY2190X. She's telling me that it has a dvd writer upgrade.

However, from what I've read in all the forums and websites, the Vaio Y series does not have a dvd drive.

Is she trying to pull my leg? Sell me a fake Vaio? Or is it really possible to have a dvd drive/writer installed?

Thank you for your input!!

[Fretman]

Hi! I have a question. A friend is selling me a Sony Vaio Y series laptop model VPCY2190X. She's telling me that it has a dvd writer upgrade.

However, from what I've read in all the forums and websites, the Vaio Y series does not have a dvd drive.

Is she trying to pull my leg? Sell me a fake Vaio? Or is it really possible to have a dvd drive/writer installed?

Thank you for your input!!

As far as I know, the Y-Series does not come with a burner nor is it an option. Best bet is to just take a look at it first.

[dmk2]

Awesome job dmk2, thanks!

I was afraid of that. The extended battery is ridiculously high.

Do you think it is an accident waiting to happen? (the edge getting hit and breaking something?
What kind of usage do you get out of the big battery? (which configuration?)

I don't think the extended battery is a problem waiting to happen. It's a little less comfortable to use on your lap with the extended battery and doesn't fit as nicely into a notebook sleeve, but those are the only downsides. Since I use the Y on my lap most of the time, I wouldn't want to have the extended battery as my only option. But it's nice to have the extended battery for flights across the Pacific.

I think Sony's estimate of 9 hours with the extended battery is probably accurate for the i3 model with integrated graphics, assuming you're just web surfing and using productivity apps.

However, I've only used the extended battery with the Y118GX config, which is a pre-refresh model that came with Win 7 Pro, 500GB drive, and standard + extended batteries. I picked the old Y up at a Sony Style store discounted for $675 at the same time I got a Y21, with the intention of giving the old one to my father. But I ended up keeping the old model instead. With this model, I've used the extended battery for 8 hours and still had 25% left, so it will probably go for 10-10.5 hours. The standard battery gives me 7 hours with this model and 6 hours with the Y21, so by extrapolation I figure the extended is good for 9 hours with the Y21, just as Sony claims.

[chong67]

I went to Sonystyle store today to look at the Y and Z.

I notice the Z has a narrow band of brightness when you move out a little and move up and down.

The Y screen is actually better than the Z!