Sony Vaio Pro SVP-1x21

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This document will guide you through the process of installing Arch Linux on the 2013 Sony Vaio Pro Haswell based Ultrabook.

Features

  • Intel Haswell Series CPU (4200U/4500U)
  • 4/8GB of DDR3 1600MHz RAM
  • 128 to 512GB SSD with read speeds over 1GB/s
  • 11/13" LED-backlit 1080p IPS screen
  • Optional touchscreen
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Webcam
  • Wireless: WiFi 802.11n, Bluetooth, NFC
  • Sensors: ambilight
  • Ultra low weight; around 1.1kg for the 13" model

Pre-installation

BIOS Configuration

Get into the BIOS by pushing the assist button when the system is shut off and then hitting Start BIOS Setup. Do not try to boot from your usb key using recovery mode, instead change the boot order in the BIOS. Make the following changes: 

Intel(R) AT Support System	[Disabled]
Secure Boot			[Disabled]
External Device Boot		[Enabled]
Select 1st Boot Priority	[External Device]

If you want to use the legacy boot (non-EFI), change: 

Boot Mode			[Legacy]

Install media

Some users have issues booting from the USB port labeled with a lightning bolt. Use the other one to avoid problems.

  • When booting from USB, append libata.force=noncq to the kernel parameters to avoid problems with the harddisk.

Internet connection

As the Intel 7260 WiFi card is only supported in linux kernel 3.11-rc4 or newer, you might have to use another method to connect to the internet.

Known working methods:

  • USB tethering with an Android device. Samsung i9300 @ 4.2.2 tested.

Installation

Picking a bootloader

UEFI

Gummiboot

Works as expected.

GRUB

Some users are unable to run the install.

Note: Grub should install fine if UEFI boot mode is turned on in the BIOS.

Legacy

GRUB

Works as expected.

Post-intallation

CPU

Issues fixing the frequency at 800MHz should be fixed in Linux kernel version 3.11. Known working fix using the 3.11-rc4 kernel can be found here.

Video

Works good with the xf86-video-intel driver. For instuctions on installing and configuring, see the Intel Graphics article.

Sound

Works out of the box. As the Installation Guide suggests, install alsa-utils and follow this guide to get started.

WiFi

The Intel 7260 WiFi card is only supported in Linux kernel 3.11-rc4 (tested) or newer.

Touch screen

Tapping works out of the box. Multitouch gestures do not work.

Keyboard backlight

Works out of the box. Enables in low amblient light and a key press, turns off after about 20s. Can be customized by modifying kbd_backlight and kbd_backlight_timeout found in: 

/sys/devices/platform/sony-laptop/

Monitor backlight control

Works out of the box.

Trackpad

Works great with the xf86-input-synaptics driver. A good base config can be found here.

Keyboard and buttons

Works very well out of the box.

Fan control

Works well out of the box. It stays quiet during normal load. Change profile by editing thermal_control found in: 

/sys/devices/platform/sony-laptop/

Available profiles can be found in thermal_profiles in the same directory.

Charging

There is no known way to set the maximum charge (50/80/100%) without the VAIO Control Center in Windows.

USB ports

Some users have reported problems with the USB port labeled with a lightning bolt. This can have something to do with the charging settings for this port in the VAIO Control Center in Windows.

SD card slot

Works out of the box.

NFC

Not tested.

Bluetooth

Works out of the box.

Webcam

Works out of the box.

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