Sony - VAIO Fit wireless issues

[Dakota]

This might get several hits for those searching google for issues. I bought a top of the line Sony VAIO Fit laptop over the weekend with all the bells and whistles for nearly 1/2 the cost of retail. I knew what I was getting into when I left the store but to find a laptop with all I wanted for under $600 is asking a great deal. I decided that I would just replace the WIFI card if I had to at the cost of $23.00. There are 1000's upon 1000's of forum postings in various places reporting the problems and some fixes. Apparently, this problem isn't just limited to the VAIO either. Thankfully, I am coming in with my issues after they have been ongoing for months and can piggyback on fixes that worked for others.

Re: VAIO Fit slow wifi - Page 61 - Sony's Community Site

My advise, go to Sony's website and download all the updates for you laptop. Start with the BIOS update and follow with the WIFI update. It will not fix all your issues and you can expect drops - although not as frequent.

So in lieu of opening up the machine, voiding the warranty, I bought a BearExtender PC USB WiFi Booster and Range Extender for Microsoft Windows. Besides using it in my house, I can pick up hot spots when on travel if needed.

I am at the poorest spot in my house for internet, bottom floor, router is on the top floor on the other side of the house. I went from 3 and 1 to this;

Speedtest.net by Ookla - My Results

I cannot complain since, like I said, I know I'm at the poorest signal spot in the house so this is a vast improvement.

 

[Dakota]

This extender is picking up a hot spot in Charlotte Hall when I live at the 5/235 split.... not that I'm connecting via hot spots at home but I thought that was pretty amazing. I connected to it for the hell of it and got a few drops but otherwise stayed connected. I'm also amazed at how many people around me don't have secure networks.

Anyway, these extenders are said to be good for large homes when 1 room is having a difficult time staying connected or just getting a weak signal. Say for instance, a kid is in the basement and the router is on the 2nd floor - makes it easier.

 

[GURPS]

you could get a USB WiFi Adapter

Rosewill RNX-N180UBE Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 1T2R / 5 dBi External Antenna / Up to 300Mbps Wireless Download Data Rates 64/128-bit WEP (Hex & ASCII), WPA/WPA2, WPA(TKIP with IEEE 802 - Newegg.

Rosewill RNX-N150UBE Wireless Adapter (1T1R) IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 USB 2.0 Up to 150Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-bit WEP (Hex & ASCII), WPA/WPA2, WPA(TKIP with IEEE 802.1x)/WPA2(AE -

Rosewill RNX-N150HG (RNWD-11004) IEEE 802.11b/g/n, USB 2.0, High Gain Wireless-N Adapter (1T1R) Up to 150Mbps Data Rates, 64/128-bit WEP, complies with WPA/WPA2 standard (TKIP/AES) - Newegg.com

Amazon.com: Amped Wireless High Power Wireless-300N 600mW USB Adapter (UA600): Electronics

Amazon.com: Alfa AWUS036H High power 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g High Gain USB Wireless Long-Rang WiFi network Adapter with 5dBi Rubber Antenna and a 7dBi Panel Antenna

 

[Dakota]

you could get a USB WiFi Adapter

Rosewill RNX-N180UBE Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 1T2R / 5 dBi External Antenna / Up to 300Mbps Wireless Download Data Rates 64/128-bit WEP (Hex & ASCII), WPA/WPA2, WPA(TKIP with IEEE 802 - Newegg.

Rosewill RNX-N150UBE Wireless Adapter (1T1R) IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 USB 2.0 Up to 150Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-bit WEP (Hex & ASCII), WPA/WPA2, WPA(TKIP with IEEE 802.1x)/WPA2(AE -

Rosewill RNX-N150HG (RNWD-11004) IEEE 802.11b/g/n, USB 2.0, High Gain Wireless-N Adapter (1T1R) Up to 150Mbps Data Rates, 64/128-bit WEP, complies with WPA/WPA2 standard (TKIP/AES) - Newegg.com

Amazon.com: Amped Wireless High Power Wireless-300N 600mW USB Adapter (UA600): Electronics

Amazon.com: Alfa AWUS036H High power 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g High Gain USB Wireless Long-Rang WiFi network Adapter with 5dBi Rubber Antenna and a 7dBi Panel Antenna

I got the BearExtender - although many of the ones you posted would have worked just as well. It would have been nice to have a clip that attaches to the backside instead of having to set this extender on the desk.

Overall, I am very happy with this laptop. In order for me to get the same guts in another model, I would have had to pay $1000 plus. I paid just slightly over 1/2 that. About a year ago, I got a incredible deal on an all-in-one from Dell so I do have 2 computers.

When shopping around for a laptop, I found I was disappointed with the quality of many of the laptops on the market today. They feel cheap and poorly made. This wasn't the best made laptop IMO. In fact, Toshiba - Satellite Ultrabook seemed well-made but triple the price tag wasn't something I was willing to spend. Not when this is basically a travel or 2nd computer.

The wireless cards in many of the laptops today - like this Vaio are lacking in signal strenght so extenders seem to be the way to go. I have read numerous reviews on various laptops over the past few months and see the wireless signal strength lacking seems to be a common thread.

 

[GURPS]

When shopping around for a laptop, I found I was disappointed with the quality of many of the laptops on the market today. They feel cheap and poorly made. This wasn't the best made laptop IMO.

Business Class Laptops ... Dell Latitude or HP Elitebook series