Port replicator for Vaio G2?

FenderP or anyone else --
Do you know if there is a port replicator available for the Vaio G2? I was just talking to Dynamism and they weren't aware of one.
Thanks!

 

do you see the slot for one on the underside of the laptop?

 

a quick google search gave me this site, i didnt see any other sites offering it though, and they dont even have a picture http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=59350

 

No. Sony makes no port replicator, docking station, etc. There is no port for one on the laptop whatsoever. My G1 has 2xUSB, PCMCIA, ethernet, modem, and VGA out. If you get it without the DVD, you get firewire, too. That's all she wrote.

To be honest, I've never used a docking station with any laptop I've owned. Never had the need. I don't need things like DVI out, etc.

 

well, a docking station is good to have because it saves you the hassle of plugging in vga cables and taking them out/ usb devices/ ethernet cables when you have to leave

 

I never hook my laptop up to a monitor other than when I'm giving presentations. To each his or her own. Same with the other stuff. My laptop is truly just that ... if I wanted a docking station, I'd just use my desktop (which is mainly used for music stuff).

 

well the main reason i got mine was because i had a $100 credit on the sonystyle store from my first order with them. its nice to have.

 

Thanks guys. It is mainly for convenience, also nice to get a DVI output if available.

I do have a setup for my personal laptop at home (monitor, keyboard, etc) -- better ergonomics. I have borderline carpal tunnel and ailing eyes, so whenever I can use a real keyboard/mouse/monitor/Etc I do! I'm coming to believe that even though I like trackpads more than the eraserhead thingy, I think trackpads aren't good for those susceptible to carpal tunnel.

Another example for the eye thing is I don't use 17" or 24" monitors because of the tiny dot pitch. 19" or 22" have larger dot pitch.

 

This is one of the biggest differences between the TZ and the G ... the G is a more serious, no-nonsense, well-built, road-warrior type of laptop who doesn't need things like a dock. The TZ is a slick looking laptop with more "bells and whistles" so-to-speak.

Different strokes for different folks. I've had plenty of fragile laptops that I can demolish. By now I'm usually through a keyboard - I killed the JVC one. THe G is holding up.

 

Different strokes, of course. But I have to argue that (whether or not how the end user truly uses it) it is the business-focused laptops that absolutely should have docking stations available, and that more consumer-oriented laptops don't necessarily need them. Especially in U.S. corporate settings, docking stations are more or less required in order to provide people with "ergonomic" working conditions. At my company we automatically order docking stations, external displays, keyboards, mice for every laptop -- if you don't ergonomic evaluations & worker's comp claims will come sometime down the line. For instance, note IBM/Lenovo and HPs always have docks available for their business lines. We have never ending requests for new chairs, keyboard trays, ergonomic mice, etc etc.

 

I could never work in a place like that ... seriously. I'd never use any of it and I'd take it off my desk where it'd be cluttering thing up.

Remember - the G isn't marketed in the US so its corporate needs have NO bearing on its design. Note that the TZ is.

 

Wish I had people like you on our payroll -- we'd save a lot of money on equipment purchases!!

I'm not familiar with the Japanese work environment. But note that the G is marketed in Europe (I'm not sure exactly which countries but I know at least the UK), and my division's offices in Germany and UK all roll out docks & desktop setups for employees with laptops (mainly Thinkpads & HPs). Not begrudging the way you use your G or like to work, I'm just saying that business/corporate-oriented laptops ought to have docking stations available, that's all -- not that everyone should use or like them. Guess Sony didn't consider the G series to be in that category.

For example - for my personal laptop (currently Dell X1 until I replace it shortly), I have a full setup (LCD/keyboard/etc) in my home office to plug into but I don't have a docking station for it. For my work laptop (NC2400) I have a dock at the office but not at home, where I use it purely as a laptop (even right now to type this b/c I was too lazy to start up my Dell).

 

YOu wouldn't really save money - I like $4000 Japanese small and light laptops lol Plus, medically (all kidding aside), I do need a laptop under 4lbs. I haven't really had back problems since I switched 4+ years ago and I'm not looking back.

I don't disagree that a port replicator (which Panasonic has even for the R) or a docking solution is a good idea if it's a business laptop. But other than the B line which is a whole different thing, this is Sony's first foray into a true small and light business laptop. Having said that, if you look at the promotional stuff on Sony Japan's site for the G, it's all about mobility and size.

If guys like you get Sony's ear, you should suggest it. I bet they would have more penetration in the market. It's evident to me Sony was taking aim at Panasonic with this one. If Sony can make it more "business friendly" and shed their perception as a consumer laptop vendor, they'd have a winner on a bigger scale.

In talking with Conics last night, the amount of TZs that he sells is ridiculous compared to the number of Gs. Trust me when I say I am not going to get a G2 because I dislike the G1. In fact, the G is the first laptop in well, forever, I think I've really liked.

It's funny - I was in Logan Airport and my G was in the bin waiting to go through security. The person behind me loved the brown color and wondered where they could get it It doesn't get the looks that the U70 (which was more revolutionary - now you have phones that look about that size) or the JVC 741 got, or that the TZ probably gets, but once I let people pick it up and feel how light it is compared to their laptops, they are amazed.

 

the tz sells more because its more popular than the G

 

The T series has been out a long time. It's small, it's sexy. Always has been. The G is not a laptop marketed as "cool". It doesn't have, for example, the multimedia controls and can't be a DVD player even if the computer isn't turned on. It's not widescreen. I could go on, but the G will never be the cool kid on the block. Plus, let's face it, you don't sell a ton of laptops when it's not available in some of your biggest markets.

Point is, it's not trying to be the T line which is great in its own right. Personally one of my favorite laptops of all time was the TR incarnation.

 

i would get the G before a tz, just because its lighter. but thats just me

 

LOL, true true save on the accessories, get killed on the machine itself! We roll out NC2400/X61 for execs & road warriors; that's about as expensive a laptop that we get these days. Except for one Mac Pro laptop a year ago that I wish I hadn't let go through... that expensive piece of machinery just sat on that person's desk 90% of the time -- what a waste, so finally just pulled it back to use as a loaner.

For me, the G would be my dream machine if it had a 1280x800 screen and a trackpoint in addition to the track pad (ironically, that's basically the HP 2510P... except it's too heavy). Still looking seriously at getting a G2 (waiting for Dynamism to get back to me). I wonder if Sony intentionally was sticking with a 4:3 screen as design philosophy or just because they didn't want to retool the G -- whereas I can see Panasonic maintaining a design philosophy to have more readable/larger dot pitch on its Toughbooks. Sony seems to generally have a strong A/V mentality (not surprisingly), e.g. the 720P resolution of the tiny TZ screen. I think on another thread we were talking about how compelling a 3 lb SZ would be.

 

The Toshiba R500 may be your machine - 12" widescreen @ 1280x800, same other basic specs. I inquired - you can order the 64GB SSD version via phone from Toshiba Direct (2 - 3 week wait), but it's not on the website. The big problems from what I can tell from posts on the Toshiba board are:
1. Build quality
2. Screen

Been there, done that. Someone had to talk me out of settling. Glad they did.

The problem for Sony is that a widescreen G would be confusing in the line - an 11", 12", AND 13" widescreen in the line - and the 12" is smaller and lighter than the other two.

Dynamism is getting the black G2 in this upcoming week I think.

I've come to realize over time that no laptop is perfect, but for my needs, the G is as close as it gets. However, add SSD to one of those Panasonics like the R or the W (the R would be very compelling esp. if I didn't need an optical drive), well, different story. I'd give them a look. Panasonic also is still hanging onto old system design with microDIMMs which are heinously expensive and hard to find.

Other than the B series, Sony doesn't put a trackpoint on their laptops anymore.

 

I wonder if the G series is targeted at the older user whose eyes can't handle small pixels. For me that's one of the strengths. I tried and failed with 12.1" widescreen. Most like one of the senior Sony executives with ageing eyes triggered the G series by asking for something with a readable screen.

John

 

Yes, there are a lot of things I like about the R500 -- the basic specs, screen/form factor, light weight, XP available, US mkt, 3 yr warranty, cheaper. I've in fact tried to order a R500 (5002 model, the regular HD/DVD version with XP) a couple times -- each time when shown in stock at an on-line retailer only to find out afterwards that it wasn't.

Which version did you find could be ordered via phone? The SSD/no DVD/XP version (model 5003) or the SSD/DVD/Vista version (model 5004)? I'm looking for DVD & XP -- which isn't offered by Toshiba for the SSD R500. Performance benchmarks for tested R500s also have been middling; another reason I've been seeking XP, but figured regular HD at 5400rpm would be OK compromise (esp at the lower price).

The complaints on the Toshiba forum combined with the "omen" of 3 failed purchase attempts (LOL!) have contributed to my wavering on getting an R500.

So... I've been considering the Vaio's again, esp once I learned about the updated G2. Not my ideal spec for the display but has most everything else and otherwise superior to the R500. Kinda forced into the SSD because I don't want to run off a 4200 HD. Wish Dynamism would substitute the standard battery for the lightweight one that comes with the machine -- 2.4lbs with the long life battery & DVD is pretty awesome. Separately the standard battery is pretty pricey. Also, from some of the complaints on the Toshiba forum about customer service, Dynamism's might be better notwithstanding the whole Japan thing! So - I'm waiting to hear back from Dynamism on the G2 (Conics is cheaper - and maybe would even swap the batteries for me - but I'd prefer access to Dynamism's US customer service).

I know what path you would advise!!! (if only in brown...)

 

Any of the 64GB SSD versions you can get via phone as far as I could tell. I was more inquiring about the Vista/DVD version which is $2999.

Yeah, put me off, too. Even though machines like the SZ and TZ can be hit or miss sometimes if you get a clunker out of the batch, I know what I'm getting with Sony notebooks.

Heh, well believe it or not I bit the bullet and ordered from Conics. I've been buying from Dynamism forever, but they can't get what I want right now. I would have preferred to buy from them, but hey, such is life. I also don't want the fingerprint reader, Felicia, etc., so I really needed a custom build anyway.

BTW, my current G has the standard battery. I can't imagine NOT having it. The thing is still like 2lbs ... if this thing were lighter it'd be even more ridiculous. I also need the battery life, too being on the road as much as I am.