Alternative storage option for new TZ servies

For those of you wanting to get the 32GB SSD version but are concerned about it being a bit too light on the storage space side and don't really like the idea of having to choose between a HD and the DVD drive (ie, you want the DVD option but NEED more storage space), you can also consider getting an extra 16GB Express Card SSD drive for under $200 which would increase total storage capacity to 48GB without the need for a battery draining spinning hard drive in the unit (let alone no moving parts and total silence). Also allows you to get the unit with the DVD drive and not have to sacrifice one for the other.

http://www.lexar.com/ssd/expresscard.html

Dell.com appears to be selling it for $189 now.

 

This seems to be a good solution, especially if the card does not protrude from the PC, as I understand it doesn't from the web site. Can anybody confirm that no part of the card will protrude?

 

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3107

although access time is incredible, average transfer rate is absolute..... garbage...

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/first-review-lexar-expresscard-ssd-254364.php

and, doesn't seem like it'll protrude either.

 

Wow nice device dwhitney!
I just was thinking these kind of things...storage,DVD, ext.

This seems better than an external HD.

 

Mmm bad reviews.

Jc4ho do you know some good and small external HD?

 

Jack Sparrow wrote: "Mmm bad reviews."

Ben Stafford's review was not that big a disappointment, as I can understand it: "If you do use the device as a ReadyBoost device, you can actually leave some space for backup as well." Or what do you say? Because for me the point is just not having to use an external unit (HDD or DVD) with cables and so forth.

So perhaps this can be a good temporary solution until (very soon, I hope!!) a SSD 64 GB is in the Vaio TZ.

 

Even if i was quite convinced for the SSD+DVD combo now im seriously going for the SSD+2.5 160GB HD. The main reason is that i think is much better having space in your TZ than an optical drive. For the times i will need the DVD(burning, installation of programs) i will purchase an external optical drive.

 

Jack - interesting perspective. I find I am far more likely to need the optical drive when I am on the road then additional space so I opt for the external (actually a network attached) hard drive rather than external optical drive that I would find myself lugging around.

 

Agree. Depends what you are doing more. If you use a lot the optical drive then it could be unconvenient to carry all the time the external one. I suppose you will purchase an external HD? Which?
Did you ordered TZ from conics.net? I mail them if is going to be with the English OS already installed and all the drivers but no risponse yet.
Few days ago i was ready to take from japan but if conics do the instalation of Vista (same price) i am in serious doubt

 

I would agree on using the Lexar as temporary extra storage, but I may wait around for other manufacturers to roll out more expresscard SSDs before jumping on this one.

An apparent good, small, external HDD is the WD Passport. It's pretty cheap too i think, just over 100 (I'm in Canada).

I think the DVD vs 160GB HD is a hard choice, but I don't like not having AV Mode so I think I'm going the SSD+DVD route. After I order the laptop, I'm really going to be short on space though as programs such as MATLAB can take up 4GB of space.. though, I'll still have my current laptop.

Anyone consider getting the VOS from conics.net?

 

Oh, if you have the 160GB HD the AV mode is not working? Thats bad!
Im in between pricejapan and conics.net for the order. If someone report here that they put the OS in English and everything worked out i will go with conics.

 

Does battery runs longer if you watch DVD in AV mode? w/o booting up the computer?

Thx.

Paul

 

For my purposes I like the ximeta netdisk as external storage (it can be used both as networked attached and portable hard drive).

I am leaning towards buying from conics but have been negotiating on price with Dynamism and if they come down a bit more I will probably go with them.

 

no, battery actually runs shorter when in AV mode. don't know why. I haven't tried this on mine but googling reviews of the TX which also has the AV mode reveals this.

 

Battery life is actually shorter using AV mode? Huh.

 

While the write speeds may be less than optimal on the express card, I was actually thinking of using one purely for keeping stuff like my music collection (8GBs), photos (4GBs), email archives (1.5GBs) that I carry around with me primarily for listening/viewing/occassional access only. That way those don't take up space on the internal SSD drive which can be used for the OS, programs, and day to day documents/email.

On the comment that was made about the 3.3w power draw... I'm wondering if this particular device really has that high of a draw on a constant basis and possibly has little or no draw at all if it isn't actively being read from/written to?

 

Battery life is probably shorter because the AV mode OS (I believe it is a customised Linux distribution) doesn't use all the power management optimisations that have been implemented in Sony's Windows drivers.

 

Back to the topic of the thread: Storage can be enhanced by using both an Express Card (16GB) and a SD Card (4GB or perhaps 8GB) (and plus even perhaps a Memory Stick 8 GB) in addition to the SSD 32GB. With both 8GB SD and 8GB Memory Card plus the Express Card 16 GB this in fact all in all adds up to 64GB!

If the purpose is primarily for storage (not so much reading) this may be a great -if not inexpensive - solution.

 

why no 64 GB SSD option like Toshiba? thats what i want to know.

also..when is TZ release date in U.S.?

thanks

 

Because it is not out yet...

As for Toshiba with 64GB, it is not even out too, it says later this year they will produce one with 64GB.

I think it was last week that Samsung said to begin mass producing the 64GB SSD.

 

Do you think it will be possible later on exchange the 32GB SSD with the 64GB? I remember that i read it in trustedreviews.com about the mass producing of the 64GB SSD next week.

 

You should be able to change out the ssd drive with no issue. I just changed out my 2.5 5400 RPM drive for a 7200 rpm drive. I took a look at the ssd while I was in there and it is a standard drive.

 

SSD and HDD for the win! Eventually switch the 32GB SSD for a larger size once available. As for the HDD that can eventually be switched to a 2.5 SSD. Sweet!! Given you have unlimited funds.

 

Can you get a TZ with the 100 gig and optical drive, then install Vista onto a 32 Gig ExpressCard? Or are the expresscard's transfer rates/seek times not ideal for the application?

 

i'm a bit confused about the SD card reader for the upcoming U.S. release TZ series.

firstly, are there separate slots for the memory stick and SD card? or is it a single combined drive?

also, will the SD card support SDHC (> 2gb SD cards)? the pictures and info i've seen all seem to conflict.

any info would be highly appreciated,
thanks,

 

It is two separate slots, and I am using a 8gig and 4gig SD in there, so yes the larger sizes work.

 

Which cards are you using Balto?

SDHC (class?) and Memory stick Pro Duo?

How is the speed (transfer and daily use)?

 

I have the noname 1 gig 80x,sandisk 4 gig and a transcent (sp? It is in my camera and I am to lazy to go get it ) 8 gig The speeds are ok, well I don't really notice a difference between the 8 gig and the 1 gig 80x card I have . IN fact now that I think of it, the 4 gig and 8 gig weren't fast enough to use as readyboost media in Vista. I also have a 4 gig sandisk memory card pro duo which does work as readyboost, so that one must be faster.

 

I use the Seagate FreeAgent drive. The 160GB is only $135 at Buy.com:

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/portable/freeagent_go/

My fave accessories are here:

http://www.my-lappy.com/2007/06/10/accessories-accessories-and-more-accessories/

 

Balto, ReadyBoost does not work, so no flash card is going to pass that test!

 

On my G with the 32GB SSD, I have a 200GB Hitachi 7K200 7200rpm 2.5" external drive. Small, light, fast, and large capacity