SZ with Vista - availability, ReadyBoost, Hybrid HDD

A few questions:

1) Any idea when Sony will sell them with Vista pre-installed?
2) Can I use the the techique descibed here with a MemoryStick to support ReadyBoost?
3) Any idea when Sony will ship an SZ with a Hybrid HDD? And related, what would the Hybrid HDD give me that 2) will not?

Thanks.

 

1) No earlier than January 30, 2007 most likely. I've guess an additional month before the PCs are available.
2) If the stick is fast enough, probably.
3) Hybrid HDDs are just barely coming to maket, and I don't know of any available right now. This will probably take a few months to get out at a decent price range.
4) No, HDDs will not support ReadyBoost, but will support (I think it is called) ReadyDrive. That will allow for faster HDD access times and lower power consumption. HDDs will not serve as a cache like ReadyBoost does.

 

Anyone try this yet, with a memorystick, or the express card reader?

 

I believe the card reader from the express card will not work. A direct memory stick should work if you have a pro duo or any fast enough ones.


Regards,
soda

 

I tried Lexar 1gb memorystick pro from the expresscard card reader for readyboost in Vista Enterprise on my Vaio SZ. It did not work. A built-in memory stick socket which accepts only memorystick pro duo might work, but I did not try because I do not have any pro duo media.

 

readyboost worked for me...now if there was only a way to quantify the results tho...

 

Pygo - did you use the memorystick slot or a usb stick? I tried the expresscard reader with and SD card and no go.

 

Memorystick slot with Vista rtm. worked with SONY 1G & SONY 2G. Wish i had a 4G to try but i didn't. I hear the ideal ratio is 1:2 or 1:2.5. In my case in which i have 2G ram i think the 4G memory stick would be ideal. Can't say i noticed a difference and hen i tried a month or so ago there was not too much information pertaining to benchmarking readyboost...maybe there is more on the web now. In any event i took Vista off for now...at least until Sony issues some Vista drivers. I do remember reading that chances of success were the slimmest with a USB cardreader, average with memory sticks, and higher with a usb pen drive. I don't know if can still find the site but fella's were listing different cards/card readers/usb drives and the results they got. I can say that the observed success rate on that particular site seemed to be about 60%. Will let you know if i find the URL.

Regards.

 

I purchased a 1GB memory stick and enabled speed boost on my machine. It works like a champ.

I was in Best Buy yesterday, and they had computers all over the place (and I was told a warehouse full) of PC's with Vista installed. Most were home premium editions. Salesman said you could buy all you wanted yesterday, but could not take delivery until Tuesday.

Not sure about the hard drive, but I am looking for a fast 120 gig or bigger right now.

 

Thanks for the info

 

can i use the sd card slot on my HP NC8430 for readyboost?