The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    SZ and creative x-fi expresscard

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by sadf_th, Mar 18, 2008.

  1. sadf_th

    sadf_th Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    are they compatible? does the SZ have a expresscard 54?
     
    sadf_th, Mar 18, 2008
    #1
  2. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    No. They are not. Because of the form factor.
     
    SPEEDwithJJ, Mar 19, 2008
    #2
  3. bunbuns

    bunbuns Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    102
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Creative X-Fi is 54mm express card. SZ only has 34mm express card slot so too small to fit in.

    Go for the SB Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA. That works better as i heard the X-Fi one does some of the effects in software.
     
    bunbuns, Mar 19, 2008
    #3
  4. sadf_th

    sadf_th Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    whats the card thingy called at the left side of the SZ? isnt it the expresscard?
     
    sadf_th, Mar 19, 2008
    #4
  5. bunbuns

    bunbuns Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    102
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    bunbuns, Mar 19, 2008
    #5
  6. sadf_th

    sadf_th Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    based on wikipedia, it seems that the expresscard 54mm can fit in the SZ's expresscard slot. i measured the width and its exactly 54mm. the pin for both the 54mm and 34mm is the same. will the 54mm card work? anyone tried to fit in a 54mm card in the SZ?
     
    sadf_th, Mar 19, 2008
    #6
  7. SPEEDwithJJ

    SPEEDwithJJ NBR Super Idiot

    Reputations:
    865
    Messages:
    3,499
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    It definitely will not fit. You can always buy one & try it if you don't believe...
     
    SPEEDwithJJ, Mar 19, 2008
    #7
  8. sadf_th

    sadf_th Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    okay sorry for that. any suggestions for a good external soundcard for the SZ?
     
    sadf_th, Mar 19, 2008
    #8
  9. midknightblue

    midknightblue Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    it looks like creatives brand new x-fi expresscard device will work via 34 or 54. They have a brand new x-fi. I bought the old one that only had xpress card 54 and can tell you from first hand experience that it didnt work in my sony sz. I am still not sure if my sony sz even has PC card or express card. Supposedly most (???all) of the sony Sz's have the expresscard 34. Anyways, there is always the option of just buying creatives X-fi surround which works via USB, in which case you dont need to deal with Expresscard at all. Here is the link to the Xfi expresscard device in case you need direct info to show that it supposed to now work with expresscard 34 as well. http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=209&subcategory=669&product=17988
    Go to the link and click on specifications as well as requirements for more details.
    Not sure which to get? Well if you want 5.1 playback (for your 5.1 analog speakers) then you will need to go with the USB device. The expresscard device only supports 2.1 speakers or headphones.
    OK, now that I have given out the info, I better order up my x-fi surround sound before you guys burn up their stock. Good luck. If there is another good solution let me know. I have been through the toshiba device, then i bought a dynadock (only to find out it doesnt provide surround sound) then the 1st x-fi xpress card device (which only had xpress 54 which my sony sz cant use). Now this is my 4th try to get some surround sound on my vista notebook. Will let you know if I finally get it up and running.
     
    midknightblue, Oct 5, 2008
    #9
  10. ascariss

    ascariss Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    156
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    according to sonystyle canada the SZ has ExpressCard®/34 so the 34 should work. if it doesn't work, can always return it, if not sell it.
     
    ascariss, Oct 5, 2008
    #10