Idea for SONY: Make A Z2 PMD with better graphics card and dual-link DVI or Display Port

It seems I'm not alone in feeling that SONY really dropped the ball in what would otherwise be a near-perfect product by not equipping the Z2 or its PMD to support 30" monitors (at their native 2560x1600 resolution of course). It's clear from other posts and numerous comments on reviews around the web that there's a huge overlap between the target audience of the Z2 and 30" monitor owners (executives, excel junkies, creative/design professionals, engineers/developers, etc).

The only other consistent complaint I've seen about the Z2 is that SONY could have gone with a higher-end GPU considering it's housed in an external unit.

So the perfect and logical solution would be that SONY add another PMD option with a better GPU that supported dual-link DVI or display port output (for at least 2 if not 3 external monitors). They could offer it exclusively with the Blu-Ray Writer option and call it a "Premium" or "Signature" PMD option.

A great advantage of SONY's Z2 platform is that they have the ability to offer something like this without changing the code laptop hardware.

I was eagerly awaiting the Z2 and was set to go all out and get the best possible CTO config but the lack of 30" monitor support is a total deal killer for me. I'll be letting my SONY Concierge contact know this and suggest that anyone else with a SONY relationship who wants 30" support also mention the "premium PMD" concept.

 

Good luck.

 

All the best dude. In all honesty though, posting this isn't much help. You should have at least made us to sign a petition but I don't think it's allowed on this forum anyway.

 

HDMI supports 2560x1600... assuming the monitor is recent enough, and the HDMI is driven directly from an AMD or nVidia GPU.

Intel IGP don't support highly clocked TDMS links, so no go on that.

 

Reasons for posting are (a) to see how many share this frustration and (b) to encourage those w/existing SONY relationships to stress this as an issue. I agree chances of them putting out a PMD that meets these needs are slim but if enough of us stress this they may at least take it into consideration with the next Z2 refresh.

@jeremyshaw: HDMI does indeed theoretically support 2560x1600 and there are HDMI>DVI cables. However, I've yet to see any laptop implement the spec in such a way that it's actually possible to output a 2560x1600 picture to a monitor.

 

++++

Can't believe they don't support 2560.. >.<

 

My VPCSC does @ 60Hz in HD6470m mode to my U2711 (2560x1440 - not exactly 1600p, but close enough, IMO) via HDMI.

The U2711's DVI input doesn't support a single link, high clocked input, so a HDMI--> DVI adaptor doesn't work for me, which kinda sucks, since my xbox360 uses my HDMI input, and my m11xr2 has a DP output... (which no Sony laptop seems to have ), so I have to juggle the lone HDMI input on my U2711.

Intel IGP, again, fails and doesn't support this old spec (2007? or so?), that AMD and nVida have both supported since HD3000/9000 series, so I cannot use Stamina mode for this, either!


But yeah, for *most* professional 27/30" monitors out there, DL-DVI or DP is the only input option (lack of scalar), so Sony's decision to only have a HDMI output is kinda strange... given the price point of the Z2 lineup.

 

I think sony sometimes intentionally leaves "wohooo"-features out of their products. This ridiculous PMD unit is advertised to drive 2 external screens, well - one of them has to be connected through VGA. I can only say:

Z1

+ 200$ eGPU

Spoiler

which is actually almost the same external concept like the PMD, just connected via ExpressCard

= DP, 1600p capable, up to 6 ext. screens and benches the crap out of a PMD.

Why petition sony if one can have a much better solution for cheap.

 

It isn't gonna happen, at least not until 2012 with Z3. (Only If Sony stick with the external dock )

 

That's why the eGPU folks have shifted their attention to the upcoming Macbook Air refresh. It will have a standardised Thunderbolt port with vendor Sonnet already previewing their Echo Express box to host desktop cards. Thunderbolt's x4 2.0 link giving 80% of x16 2.0 full desktop performance.

 

Sadly this does appear to be a better option, which is too bad because I prefer so much else about the Z2, especially it's aesthetics.

 

previewing their Echo Express box to host desktop cards. Thunderbolt's x4 2.0 link giving 80% of x16 2.0 full desktop performance.[/QUOTE]

I am getting the new 13" MBA for my wife the day it comes out. She's a huge Apple fan... Me, not so much. I can't stand their aesthetics, the "hipness" and snobbish culture of their products, or their lack of extensibility.

The MBA, while definitely an impressive bit of engineering, still doesn't hold a candle to the Z2 (or Z1 for that matter) in any area other than its DisplayPort support and, debatably, it's "standardized" Thunderbolt port.

With that said, to each their own... I'm not out to start a Mac vs PC battle in this thread (I get enough of that at home w/the wife as is).

 

Isn't there hdmi to DUAL Link DVI adapters that you could use? Deltaco has one according to this site. Deltaco Adapter HDMI - DVI-D Dual Link F-M - Adapter & kontakt - Hitta lägsta pris, omdömen och information

 

There's other options other than the Z1/Z2 that give a thin-and-light system with gaming cred. Consider a 12.5" Lenovo X220, 13" Toshiba R830 or 14" Toshiba R840 (900P) in my sig. These can have a $160 GTS450 eGPU attached to give you dual-DVI + accelerated graphics via their expresscard slot.

 

That "dual link DVI adaptor" doesn't even have the second links' pins... It's not a dual link DVI adaptor by any stretch of the imagination. It would also reqire either:

a dual link HDMI port. VERY rare.

or

a TDMS clock. Rather pricey in most reguards

 

Sony continues to drop the ball with the sony z series assuming consumers who drop serious $$$ on their laptop don't have the latest digital LCDs and what not.

Their previous version with dvi/vga dock couldn't even handle 2 external screens. It just baffles me and I believe the designers aren't taking into account feedback or arent on the edge enough with technology/products.

I always look at the z as a portable desktop replacement but continue to buy HP workstation laptops because of the external display options.

If the PMD device had 2 display link connectors + hdmi (and sure it would be nice if sony included adapters for dvi/vga, at least sold as accesories) I would buy it!

Sony has been dropping the ball for years on this model. There is a disconnect and I believe having better docking options for it would only expand their customer base.

So sony, you have the choice, will I buy a new sony z or conitnue to buy HP, look at express card external graphics, etc...

Also agree with the OP that it's nice to have things integrated with the design of the PMD without having to look for an external option.