Confused about hard drive options on the TZ

I want a Sony Vaio TZ with the Hitachi 7K200 drive inside. I've searched around a bit, but still not clear about a couple things.

I understand that I'd have to replace it myself, but I'm a little confused about where it goes.
I've read that it's possible to have the SSD+HDD option if you give up the DVD-RW, so is it one spot for a 1.8" drive and another spot for a 2.5" drive?

The model I'd like to get is the VGN-TZ160N/B
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0.../ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1198803272&sr=1-2

I do not want a SSD, just the 7k200. Will that model work, and what exactly has to be done to get the 7k200 in there?
I'm thinking I would remove the 100GB 1.8" drive it comes with as well as the DVD-RW, then install the 7k200 in the 2.5" slot and leave the 1.8" slot empty.


Thanks

Also, while I'm here, is there a new ultraportable coming out next month or real soon I should wait for?

 

there is no US model with a 2.5" HDD only. If you want such configuration, you will need a TZ90/TZ91. You get it with a 200GB 5200RPM drive and change the drive yourself.

 

Why couldn't I remove the 100GB 1.8" drive in the TZ160 as well as the DVD-RW, then install the 7k200 in the 2.5" slot and leave the 1.8" slot empty?

 

because you need a couple of mounting brackets, a usb port, sata flat cable and a cover to 'replace' the DVD. Removing the 100GB would be pretty lame move, if you go that road. Why not have a 100GB 1.8" drive + a 7K200 200GB?

Either way, given the way you ask questions, I suspect that you have never opened a sony laptop in your life, so it would be natural if you go with a pre-configured laptop. I don't recommend an upgrade if you don't know what you are doing.

 

where did you get your TZ90/TZ91?

also, I've never opened a laptop, but I have built quite a few desktops, so I have a basic idea of what I'm doing
thinking of getting a TZ91 with the 160GB drive and then swapping it out with the 7k200

 

conics & dynamism

conics is screwy (slow and no real CSR)
dynamism will almost match conics (fast and good CSR)

from Conics.Net ~1900$
Sony VGN-TZ91 S NS HS (upto 3 yr warranty)
- 1st Battery Light BPS11 (4.5 - 6hrs)
- BlueTooth Accessories None Required
- Case None Required
- Colour Black
- Connectivity Bluetooth
- CPU Core 2 Duo U7500 1.06 GHz
- Custom Recovery DVD(s) Apps & Drivers on HDD only
- Docking Station None Required
- English OS YES, required
- External DVD-RW Drive None Required
- Extra AC Adapter no extra required (1 only)
- Extra Battery no extra required (1 only)
- Hard Drive 160GB (2.5" 5400RPM NO DVD)
- Keyboard English
- Memory 1024MB (1GB)
- Miscellaneous None Required
- Networking Wireless LAN a/b/g
- Optional Antenna None Required
- Plug shape Adapter none required for USA/Canada
- Security None Required
- Warranty Standard 3 years
- Windows Version Vista Home Basic
- WWAN (HSDPA) None Required

 

yeah that's basically the configuration I was looking at, but dynamism only has the 200GB drive system for $2449
anyway, I sent them an e-mail so we'll see

do you think I should upgrade the RAM to 2GB myself since I'm going to have to open it up anyway?

 

the memory upgrade is a joke. do it yourself. as for dynamism, try [email protected] to match the price at conics

 

ok, thanks for all the help
did some looking around the dynamism site and they look pretty reputable

any tips about the hard drive swap? I noticed you did it on your TZ91

 

if you have fatty fingers, then it is a no go. It requires precision, patience and some basic knowledge on how to take care of delicate parts.

In other words, find the photos on the net, that describe where are all the screws and how to get them out without scratching the whole thing out.

Then open it up when making sure you dont pull too much and when you separate the palmrest from the base to disconnect the two parts carefully, since there is a ribbon cable that holds them. From then on, the HDD swap is relatively self-explanatory. Again, delicately put the whole sh&t together. Make sure that the cables are in the same order, you dont have cables in the holes where the screws go and most importantly that EVERYTHING GOES IN SMOOTHLY, no forcing.

Have a towel around. You will be sweating your a$$ the whole time you do it.

 

wow, lol you're making me wonder if it's worth it
is there anywhere you can send in a regular TZ and have them do it for you?

 

It was worth it in my book, but again, it depends how cucu are you. I can't catch sleep until I open up everything and bastardize it beyond recognition.

I have bought my TZ91 with the intention to upgrade the drive. In case you feel the same same way, I would say -> go ahead and do it.

On the other side aservice center, person, etc would ask at least 150-200$ to do it for you.

 

Conics Net will do memory upgrades for the customer at competitive prices.

regards,
Brett [ConicsNet]

 

Well, upgrading the memory is extremely easy on the TZ, upgrading the hard drive is a whole different story.

 

Does anyone have a list of the parts needed to swap out the dvd drive for a 2.5 harddrive? I will be in Tokyo then end of next month so I could source some suppliers from there if I had a list of what is needed. I have a tz170n/n and would love to put one of the new 500 gig sata drives in there that toshiba just announced.

 

Don't you folks have nothing better to do?

There's almost no perceptible difference between the 200GB/5400rpm and the 7200rpm version. And there's an inherent risk that you'll screw things up, not to mention the time investment you're making, at an average of $35/hour a professional/managerial person makes, and it adds up to a huge waste of time and money to shave, what, a few minutes of use each year?

 

what do you mean? I am wanting to go from the 1.8" 4200rpm harddrive to a sata drive running at 7200rpm, and you say there is no difference. Hah.

 

Ubercool was assuming you wanted to swap out the TZ's 2.5" 5400rpm HDD for a 7200rpm one. Of course, yours has the DVD drive instead of the 2.5" HDD (Like most models) and 4200rpm 1.8" HDD.

I would also love to swap out my DVD drive for a 2.5" HDD, I never use it and would rather store a bunch of ripped movies and ISOs.

I would like to know if anyone has successfully swapped out their DVD drive for a 2.5" HDD.

 

Ah ok I understand what ubercool was refering to now. Yah I think it would be awesome to have the 2.5" hard drive too especially now with the new 500 gig ones out Like I said ill be in tokyo in april so Ill stop by a few places and see if anyone knows what parts is needed to do the swap.