Big limitation for TZ (ide/sata)

Hi there,

If i've read the specs correctly, the new VAIO TZ has two IDE/PATA connections for the HDDs/CDROM, and not SATA.

I've been looking into buying the TZ, to upgrade my now dead TR, but my long running issue had been disk space. So i was looking to get the SSD+160GB model.

But the 160GB PATA disk is the biggest you can get on the market at the moment, but the SATA disks are up to 300GB. It looks like the HDD manufacturers are not gonna be making bigger PATA 2.5"...

So that means the upgradeability of the TZ is really buggered!

 

So 160 gigs of porn isn't enough?

 

The connection for the 2.5" drive is SATA. That is confirmed.

 

Yeah, I believe duffyanneal has already swapped it out for a 200 gb 7200rpm

 

I'll don't understand why people would want to go for the SSD+160GB option?

Considering this is more of a portable notebook, I, personally, would considering it more useful to always have a CD/DVD drive available, and have an external 2.5" that I could easily sync between other notebooks and desktops.

Because I personally would be using a TZ for on the go work, I can't really see the other side of the coin? 20GB should be plenty for all the programs that the TZ can handle, and an external drive would be able to store the rest and provide an easier transfer option.

Why are you, or anyone else, going for the 32SSD+160HDD option?

 

Nanaki, I really agree with you. But people's needs are obviously very various...

 

Why, because 32 gb is too small.

Besides installing apps, whats the use of a dvd? Its so easy to rip dvds and cds and put them on the 160gb hd. Plus with music and video easily downloadable, the need for a dvd drive is diminished.

The question should be why would people want to go with a dvd option at all.

 

I completely agree

I would rather rip dvds etc.. on my hard disk

Besides, from experience with my home computer, I hardly ever use my DVD drive apart from the occasinal burn, and also to install apps

So for me, it makes more sense to have an external DVD drive that I can use when I need

 

Completely disagree. For me playing dvds is very useful, without having to rip them. People's needs differ....

 

Exactly. It depends on each individual's needs/preferences. If you want 160 extra gigs available to you without having to carry anything external, or if you practically never even need to use the DVD drive, then the SSD+HDD is better for you. If you use the DVD drive often, or if you don't mind carrying/using an external hard drive, then the SSD+DVD is the choice for you.

At least Sony Japan allows you to choose 32gb SSD+160gb HDD. US SonyStyle doesn't even give you the choice.

 

I see no need to complain, you have the choice in Japan to chose the 160gb hard drive, if you don't want it, take the optical drive. Some need the optical drive to frequently watch movies for instance and some will take the 160gb hard drive, put their ISOs on it and their all set.

 

Really??? Sweet!

OK, worry over then.

I'll probably be swapping it out for a 200-300 soon after buying it i reckon.

I've been lugging around a 160GB External drive for 3 years, using it every time i use the laptop, as hdd space was so limited with my TR, but i very rarly use the DVD/CD drive, so it makes perfect sense for me to have an external DVD drive for sure!!!

So the channel for the SSD is PATA? or SATA too?

 

If only they offered the 64GB SSD like the Toshiba R500. I am sure most people would then take the 64+DVD.

I would be tempted to swap the 32GB out, if I ever buy one. But, the consumer price for a 64GB SSD would be nowhere near the price that laptop manufacturers would be able to pay with the volume buys.

 

The drive in the Tosh is a 2.5" SSD that's why they can offer the higher capacity. That is also the reason why I purchased a TZ with a 2.5" drive. At the moment though I'm pretty happy with my 7K200. It's plenty fast for me.

 

I have a hard time with the idea of living with only 32gb of space, & I also have a hard time with the idea of living with no DVD drive... (I don't need one 95% of the time, but... every now and then, I've had to burn or install something on the road, and I don't want to be carrying around an external drive). I think I'll wait till 64gb SSD is an option.

 

If I buy the HDD + DVD Option, and down the track want to replace the HDD for SSD, is this easy to do? It would probably void my warranty, but Id rather SSD compared to 4200RPM.

 

Where are you guys seeing the optional configuration for the TZ (optical drive or second hard drive)? Sonystyle doesn't show different configurations like this.

 

we're talking about the japanese models, not ones from sonystyle that don't let you configure.

 

You can only configure the TZ in Japan and only they have options like Celerom M, 160gb hard drive in place of the DVD drive, etc.

 

If I order from SonyStyle Japan, is the warranty good here in the US? If it has dead pixels or other problems do I have to send it back to Japan?

 

It will only be covered if you also purchase VOS (VAIO Overseas Service).

The cost is 5250 Yen and needs to be purchased within 60 days of you registering your laptop, if you register it under your own name and make the purchase yourself. As far I am know, the various importing companies would register it under their names, in order to handle all the warranty claims in Japan on your behalf, so it is not really an option.

PriceJapan offer it only if something goes wrong, and Conics, as of yet, do not offer it. Conics are, however, looking at the options of it. There are limitation to VOS with respect to the name the laptop would be registered under, so I will keep everyone informed of what is worked out.

 

Dynamism has this and their warranty is pretty good.

 

Only for those in the the States. You are paying a premium for their warranty, but, if you mention their competition, they will shave a bit off.

 

Their warranty is well worth it. If you buy the TZ90 and live in a different country, you don't get the standard warranty that comes with it. Even if you did, the cost of shipping and insuring it to Japan is just ridiculous.

 

Anyone think Sony USA will ever offer the second hard drive option instead of internal optical drive?

Also, do you have to almost disassemble this thing to get to the SSD?

 

The cost of shipping to Japan with insurance from the U.S. is only ~$65 USPS priority mail - that is not ridiculous at all and you would have to have 3-4 warranty isues to cover the cost difference (which is more than I have had on computers in my entire life).

Its one thing to pick Dynamism becuase you like hand holding and service but lets not overstate the case - you are definitely paying a premium for the service not just the warranty.

 

To get into it you would need to take off the keyboard and top casing. It is not something that you should be doing if you are not experienced.

I opted for VOS and Wide (accidental) coverage on my TZ. Let's hope it all works out.

 

I'm not talking about USPS. I've had horrible experiences shipping expensive things overseas with USPS. I only use FedEx or UPS now when shipping expensive things overseas, but it does cost alot more. With something that costs as much as this TZ, I'd expect no less than the "hand holding" Dynamism gives you.