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    (Old) VAIO Z BD drive fit in (New) VAIO Z series?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by SPEEDwithJJ, Mar 27, 2010.

  1. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

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    As the title suggests, I'm wondering if the Blu-ray optical drive (Panasonic UJ-232A) of the (old) VAIO Z series will be able to fit into the (new) VAIO Z series? :confused: I would really appreciate it if anyone is able to answer my question. :)

    The reason I'm asking is because I'm seriously thinking of selling my VAIO Z690 & just buying the base Sony VAIO Z (VPCZ112GX/S). :D I may just be able to afford that base model & the icing on the cake will definitely be the UJ-232A drive being able to fit into the (new) VAIO Z series & work. :)
     
  2. hendra

    hendra Notebook Virtuoso

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    If this is a 9.5 mm drive, it should fit. You may need to remove the casing as I recall the Z (old) series has the optical drive's casing removed in order to fit the thin notebook.
     
  3. Malarkey

    Malarkey Notebook Guru

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    Anyone know the exact part number, or a place to pick one up?
     
  4. ehosey2

    ehosey2 Notebook Evangelist

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    Now keep in mind that it's not confirmed up to this point that the Blu-ray drive from the " old " Z series will fit 100%. While the optical drive itself should fit, the bezel on the new Z is different which migh t place the emergency pinhole eject button out of alignment. The new Z's bezel also omits the physical eject button as well but that's probably not a problem.

    The part SPEEDforJJ is talking about is the UJ-232A. It's a Matsush*ta Panasonic branded Blu-ray drive. Looking around online at places like ebay or other computer parts retailers don't make it perfectly clear whether this particular drive is compatible and accurate pictures can be difficult to find.

    Here is the optical Blu-ray drive from the old Z and a place to buy it. And click on detailed description for more information about it.

    http://www.fazecomputers.net/servlet/the-94/UJ232A,-UJ232,-dell.-IBM,/Detail

    Now, because " SPEED " was asking at the start of this thread and now Malarkey as well, I think Rache l, an NBR Super Mod confirmed that the new Z's Blu-ray optical drive is in fact the UJ-242A. It is in fact different in regards to some burning capabilities but is not too different than the UJ-232A.

    There's another thread about the differences here:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=468911

    That's all I have for now.
     
  5. Rachel

    Rachel Busy Bee

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  6. ehosey2

    ehosey2 Notebook Evangelist

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    Thank you for the information Rachel. Now it still needs to be confirmed for " SPEED, " Malarkey, and maybe others on whether or not the " old " Z's Blu-ray drive will work in the new Z.
     
  7. 5ushiMonster

    5ushiMonster Notebook Deity

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    I remember reading somewhere that the new Z has a UJ242A, vs the UJ232A on the older Zs. Basically, the drive itself will work, but the bezel (and thus the hardware eject and pinhole) will not be compatible with the newer bezel.