You would think that after all of these years both Sony and Microsoft would have learned the meaning of user friendly. Spending days to get this laptop set up and finding my way through all of VAIO and Windows 8and then run into this problem is Frustrating.

The problem is with Creating Restore Media. After updating, thats the very first step in setting up the PC. Included in the box is a
small pamphlet with the barest of instructions on how to create the Restoration Media. How much more paper would it take to print and include in the pamphlet?

You first have to push buttons to find the page with the instructions on how to create the disks.

Then go step by step through the instructions to actually get to where you can create disks. Actually had to use the old fashioned method and write them down so I could follow them.

The failure is Error Code 0xC0AA0301 that appeared on disk 3 of 5. Instructs to restart the PC.

Restart the PC and start all over again. After creating disk 1 and 2 you would be able to start at disk 3 of 5. Nope.
Start all over again on Disk 1.I just wasted 3 DVD R disks.

This time on try number two the same Error Code happened on Disk 1 of 5.Now 4 DVD R disks in the round file.

My first step to fix the problem was I goggled the Error Code. Thats really no help. Either have to download 3rd party software, go to sites I do not trust or go to Sony Support.

Second step was Sony Forum. Searched for The Error Code. Found questions and answers,all referring to Win 7 and nothing specific for Win 8 or my model Laptop. I learned long ago that posting a question on any forum results in somebody spam answering, no answer and nothing that really applies to the specific problem. This Error has been happening for at
least two years.

Third step was to call the Sony 888 number specific for laptops. First call was answered by somebody with their headset laying on their desk. I could hear room noise and clattering and people talking in background. Hung up and called right back. Now the support number is down for maintenance.No more tries by me.

Forth step. Went to Sony Support website and went directly to my Laptop model page. Of all of the items listed on this page, The Error code is not listed there. Then searched the page and could not find the Error Code.

Fifth step. Returned to Amazon and thanks to their Return Policy I am
getting a replacement.

The One Star rating is no reflection on Amazon's service or handling of this laptop.
I give Amazon.com a FIVE STAR RATING

[...]

I tried to contact their customer support about this issue...and they sent me back to that page. Sony knows about this issue, but is still selling this laptop, and their customer service is run by a Kafka character. Have fun.

I bought this laptop on Amazon from Datavision which was probably my first mistake.It was not until after purchasing the laptop that I read some unfortunate experiences customers had with attempting to return or exchange items to Datavision.Within a couple days of having the laptop, I noticed that the spacebar did not feel right when I tried to type fluidly.(I type at least at an average speed).The end furthest from the screen appeared to have resistance and did not go down far at all.It felt as if there was gum or something underneath.Its hard to describe, but I have never come across a keyboard or laptop that had a spacebar messing me up as I'm typing.If you are trying to type quickly, and you do not have the clear feeling that the spacebar was pushed down, you might be able to understand how that can mess you up while typing.

After reading about Datavision's exchange policy and customer reviews saying that after waiting 30 days, they got the same defective product back being told it was fine or it was the fault of the customer, I decided to contact Sony to repair it.I really did want this laptop, and I figured, "Ok, I'll send it to Sony and they can make sure it is in tip-top shape". WRONG!From the time I sent it to sony to getting it back, it took about 2-3 weeks.Supposedly whatever part they needed to repair it at the facility was on backorder, which was fine.

After I get my laptop back, I check out the spacebar, and I am dissatisfied to say the least.Now, it did seem different.The whole thing went down easier, but too easy on the end closest to the screen now.Again, you hardly get any indication that you even pushed down a button.And then after using it for a couple hours, the end furthest from the screen seemed to get worse with that "gumy" feeling AGAIN!Perhaps another way of describing it is spongy when pushing it.

I would also like to mention that I went to a store that had the same exact laptop.And guess what, the spacebar worked the same as every other laptop in there.Yes, I walked around tapping on all the spacebars.

So I called technical support again, I tried to kindly and thoroughly explain the whole situation and my dissatisfaction.And when I was done, his only solution was for me to send it back to the repair facility.I'll let you use your imagination to fill in how angry I was.I eventually agreed to sending it to them again.He also said that if I get it back with an issue again, then an option may be to replace it with a new one.I honestly have doubts about that happening.

Now here I am the next day, realizing how ridiculous and absurd it is to send an item for a repair, getting it back not repaired, then being told the only option is to send it back to the place that did not repair it to repair it.So I called again and asked support to put me through to customer relations.Again, I was met with the only thing they can do for me is sending it back to them.She said this to me several times, and each time it just made me outraged even more.She eventually agreed to let me speek to someone higher up, but I was met with the same "solution".She also told me that the repair facility had replaced the keyboard.As much as I would like to believe that, other things I have read regarding Sony make me doubt this as well.

I also called the repair facility.The man I spoke to could only tell me that the keyboard was replaced and that I should send it back in.When I asked him if it was not fixed the first time, what assurance is there that it can be fixed, he responded with telling me a technician will look at it.Why is it that even the repair facility cannot directly answer my questions?

On another note, this model has had issues with the wireless cutting out.I was aware of this and still went ahead with purchasing it. That's how much I wanted this laptop.Based on other reviews, I was convinced that Sony could modify some settings to correct the issue.This was done for me, but I have not had enough time with it to ensure it has stopped sporadically losing signal.

Although I was aware of the wireless issue, it should be pointed out that Sony was very aware of this in the Vaio.At least from what I've gathered reading forums, this was an issue about a year ago and it seems they were willing to put the 4th generation Intel chips in a device with a problematic wireless card.If I am wrong about this, someone feel free to correct me.Again, this is my understanding from what I've read.

Aside from this stupid spacebar issue, and a weak wireless, I really do like the laptop.I know having a cd/dvd drive is not really necessary anymore, and most laptops no longer have them, but this is something I wanted and that the Vaio Fit has.It has all the ports I would want, including SD card and HDMI port.I will say that the zoom feature on the touchpad can be sensitive and finicky.What I have done is disabled that feature, and then I just use the touch screen if i need to zoom in our out.Honestly I really like the look and feel of the laptop.Given how much I do like that laptop, its unfortunate that something so benign cannot be corrected.

Dear Sony,

Is it too much to ask for a laptop that is in new working condition? After all, that is what I paid for.And, could I get that laptop without being forced to jump through hoops.Correct me if I'm wrong, but I am the customer.And I am telling you I am dissatisfied.And having me do the same thing which did not work the first time around does not instill much confidence in me as a consumer.Also, it is quite infuriating when after no real solution is made, your representatives ask me if I would like to extend my warranty.I understand that they are just doing their job, but perhaps you should incorporate some common sense into your employee training.It is quite simple actually.When a customer is mad and unhappy with their BRAND NEW PRODUCT, DON'T ASK IF THEY WANT TO PAY MORE MONEY TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY!

Sincerely,

Unhappy Customer

P.S.If I knew this was going to happen, I would have definitely stuck with Lenovo.My good old Lenovo Thinkpad is 7 years old, still works, and had a very generous 3 year warranty.That is 2 more years than your 1 year warranty.And of course nothing is perfect, and I sent it in for repairs a couple times, but I certainly never had it returned with the same issue.

And my wife is a tablet kinda gal. She uses the iPad. So, for the first time in over a year, she is getting a laptop. Or now, has done got. And it was an easier transition than I'd expect. Given that it is touch screen, there is no awkward pause before deciding to use the keyboard on the screen.

She writes,

"This laptop serves its purpose well. The size is great, its not too heavy or awkward. You can easily switch between using the touch screen and the keyboard. Using the touch screen does take some getting used to but I don’t find myself using that feature as much as I thought I would. The touchpad on the keyboard is too sensitive for me. I will be using it to scroll and it will randomly starting shrinking or enlarging my screen. I just reach up and pinch the screen back to where I like but this can be frustrating. About three weeks after we got it I found a tiny screw on my dining room table. After searching around I realized it came out of the bottom of this laptop. I put it back in with no problem but found that all of the other screws were loose as well. The apps available are aplenty."

Returning to me now,

In my experience, the Sony VAIO is the machine for Windows 8.1 I am not impressed with Windows 8, but now I see it has more to do with the machine than it does the program itself. Yes, it will take some getting used to, but over all, Windows 8 is going to serve a high functionality purpose.

It runs fast and after a month of use, doesn't seem to have bogged itself down. One of things I've noticed with other machines is the heat it gives off. With the Sony, it doesn't. I cannot detect much of a heat transference, so it will not burn my naked thighs.

So, what exactly are you looking for when getting a new pc laptop?

Runs fast? Check.

Hardware where it needs to be? Yup and yup. I run a pretty heavy software system and this one handled with pretty well

Office runs okay? Yup.

Dvds? Yup.

It writes cd/dvds as well and rather quickly.

As she said, the only real complete, shell wise, are the screws. One fell out, and the others were loose.

As one who knows PC, now prefers Mac, this is has tempted me... tempted by the fruit of another.