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    Collection of Sony Z's -- Which One to Use?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Duckhead, Jul 29, 2015.

  1. Duckhead

    Duckhead Newbie

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    I have been using Sony Z's for years. My primary computer, a pretty beat up Vaio Z2 which I bought new more than 3 years ago, got badly damaged in a sailing incident a couple of months ago. Got knocked over and some saltwater got onto it, with the result that the screen stopped working, most of the keys stopped working, and the HDMI port stopped working. I used it for a while in "Frankenstein" mode with an external monitor (by VGA cable), keyboard, and mouse, but obviously I can't carry it like this, so this has to be the end of its service life.

    I'm going to buy a new laptop when I'm back in the U.S. in September (probably a Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro), but meanwhile I need to work. Also, this incident has made me understand that I need a backup. So I've dusted off my old Vaio TT190.

    This more or less serves the purpose, but it is a bit slow, and the 128g SSD drive is a bit small. The graphics card is too slow to play many DVD movies. At least it has an HDMI port, which my other Sony Z -- a TZ195 -- does not. And it's in quite good condition -- the letters aren't even worn off the keys :)

    So what to do with it? Can I take out the 256g hard drive from the Z2 and put it into the TT190? I think the TT190 is supposed to have two drive bays, right? Are they compatible?

    The memory is soldered in I think, right? So I couldn't take out memory from the Z2 and put it into the TT190, right?

    Using the TT190 has reminded me how much better a machine the Z2 is -- so much faster, so much better graphics. But I don't think it it realistic to try to revive the Z2 -- too many things wrong with it.

    I'll be grateful for any tips.
     
  2. Duckhead

    Duckhead Newbie

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    I've gotten the Z2 working with the Power Media Dock. Now I'm thinking about just removing the screen and using it on my boat as a fixed on board computer with external monitor keyboard etc.

    It is worlds faster and better running than the TT190, and it has some expensive software on it which would be a pain to replace/move.

    So I guess I am probably going to use the Z2 for that, and keep the TT190 just as a spare portable computer.

    Buy a Lenovo Yoga Pro 3 for my main laptop.

    Maybe I should flog the TZ195 on Fleabay. It's in perfect condition and I have no use at all for it. I think I paid over $3000 for it. I guess it will bring $30 or so on the Flea? Hah, hah.