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    Difference between TZ21 / TZ31

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Tricks., Jul 28, 2008.

  1. Tricks.

    Tricks. Notebook Consultant

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    Apart from the slightly faster processors available on the TZ31 series, is there any physical / design difference between these 2 models?

    Also, with the WWAN - is it possible to use any sim card. I currently have a USB 3G modem - so do I just plug the sim card in the laptop instead?

    :)
     
    Tricks., Jul 28, 2008
    #1
  2. scottyinco

    scottyinco Notebook Evangelist

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    The physical size and external appearance should be the same.

    Depending where you are, the WWAN module may be locked to a particular carrier.
     
    scottyinco, Jul 28, 2008
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  3. jmuffat

    jmuffat Notebook Enthusiast

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    the wwan module is EVDO, so no sim card, it's not HSDPA. The european version comes with an HSDPA wwan, whcih is why there is a sim opening just behind the battery.

    I'm actually curious to know whether the HSDPA or EVDO modules are mini-pcie cards on an extra board in the upper right hand corner of teh chassis.

    If that is the case, then you should be able to swap the EVDO module for the HSDPA mini-pcie card that is likely to reside in your current USB modem.

    The question will then be: is there a native sim card slot on the board that holds the EVDO module or not. If not, then it would not be a trivial mod. If it's there, and just not being use by the EVDO module, then it's all good.

    Finally, even if all works at the hardware level, the bit of software that sony ships to control the different radios only know sprint EVDO. But it just means you wouldn't use this switcher I think. I wonder if it would just work using the switcher app from europe (probably locked to T-mobile)
     
    jmuffat, Jul 28, 2008
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  4. scottyinco

    scottyinco Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, there is a sim card slot on the board that holds the evdo module. Here's a picture I took of the one inside my computer, and it is a mini-pcie card:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2015
    scottyinco, Jul 28, 2008
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  5. jmuffat

    jmuffat Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks Scotty. Would you mind telling me the part number of the daughter board? It should have the part number or the "name" (like IFX-489 or whatever cryptic print on the board itself, not as a sticker) maybe I can get it from the service center the same way we got the hard drive accessories.

    also, the EVDO version has two antennae, I assume it would be similar for a HSDPA version. where do they go? up on the side of the lcd through the hinge?

    thanks

    Julien
     
    jmuffat, Aug 1, 2008
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  6. g40

    g40 Newbie

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    Hello - can anyone help with actually getting the case of a TZ31 open? I must have missed a hidden screw somewhere ...

    I have a disk that is about to die and cannot afford the downtime chez Sony Europe repairs.

    Many thanks
     
    g40, Dec 11, 2008
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