Not perfect, but close to it ... despite deficiencies

Okay ... it has lasted three devices ... but now I'm completely blown away.
Advance the shortcomings: WLAN is an issue, as also helps a firmware update before or a new driver. Everything tasted. Where did I go to the terrace on my Lenovo Tablet2 and a Macbook at least 4 of 5 bar, the Vaio is at one, maybe two. The forums for it seems to be a problem of the housing material ... I have now solved that I am using a very short WLAN USB stick. Suboptimal but functional.

Graphics in Windows 8.1 RTM: with the installed drivers, the Internet Explorer as well as Firefox (and all apps that embed the IE window, such as the Facebook client) artifacts, crumbled symbols, etc. There are two solutions: 1 Delete.) driver in the device manager and the stock Windows driver (Intel graphics HS) go => artifacts are gone, but HDMI is not out 2) on the Intel (or another driver) page for the latest drivers for the 4400 download. Windows 8.1 mule when installing on the EXE that the driver would not be suitable ... simply in the device manager "Update Driver" and tap "Browse" button. About the INF file of the driver to be updated => no artefacts HDMI works with sound.

Viewing angle dependency: Visible is in white areas of the screen in the vertical angle (ie from above) clearly viewing angle dependent. Which was significantly worse in my first unit in white than in my final (in black). Is certainly not the case color, but is a factor. Especially because you can not affect the angle of the display. But but the screen is so clear and sharp that the balances again.

But why 5 star but in these serious shortcomings? Honest: I have after the second unit (which installs no longer allowed) search for alternatives: fast it should have (ie i5 new generation at least), a Full HD display, deliver battery life beyond the 6 hours have as 3G integrated and as "real tablet" function, but also have a solid keyboard, so it is also on the lap safely used. Well ... Lenovo Yoga (no Full HD), Asus Taichi (bad battery, under 8.1 barely functional), Acer W701 (pure tablet without stable attachable keyboard) dropped out.
I then decided, "willy-nilly" to order the same device again, but this time in black. And that was good! White looks borderline cheap, and the keyboard (white letters on a silver button) is difficult to read in some lighting conditions. By contrast, the black device is truly luxurious, and the keypad easy to read.

Performance is great (no comparison with the "old" i5 Acer W701), battery life under normal usage between 6 and 8 hours (when the WLAN surfing, reading, office, e-mail), the instrument is in black and an eye-catcher and looks absolutely classy (and feels like to).

To avoid frustration, should when updating to Windows 8.1, note the following (the first unit all sorts of apps are constantly crashed):

1.) When you first install: Log in with a local account (not with the Microsoft account)
2.) Copy the directory C: \ Windows \ Drivers on a USB stick: These contain all device drivers!
Interfere 3.) Uninstall all unnecessary apps, especially McAfee and Sony Tools
4) Update on Windows 8.1 with the option "keep nothing"

Then from the support page at Sony retrofitting the VAIO Care, VAIO Control Center, VAIO Update (does not appear to me in spite of installation).

No question: A mid-range device should run without this effort. And actually I'm also very stringent and snapped quickly ... only: competition, the Vaio Duo is not really, and when it is running, then it is actually a device in which it is difficult, not constantly moronic grin .. . :)