SZ2X's Optical Drive: Standard Vs.Premium

All of us know Premium is more expensive than standard model. But look at some indicators on Optical Drive I think Standard is faster than Premium's. Below is a comparison between SZ230P/B with SZ270P/C:

SZ230p/B:

DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+-RW Drive6
DVD+R DL Write: 2.4 max.
DVD+R Write: 8x max.
DVD+RW Write: 4x max.
DVD-R Write: 8x max.
DVD-RW Write: 4x max.
CD-R Write: 24x max.
CD-RW Write: 16x max.
DVD±RW: Yes
CD Read: 24x max.
DVD Read: 8x max.
DVD-R DL Write: 2x max.
DVD-RAM Read: 3x max.
Here is the link:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...es&ProductSKU=VGNSZ230P/B&TabName=specs&var2=


SZ270P/C

DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+-RW Drive6
DVD+R DL Write --- 2.4x max.
DVD+R Write --- 4x max.
DVD+RW Write --- 2.4x max.
DVD-R Write --- 4x max.
DVD-RW Write --- 2x max.
CD-R Write --- 24x max.
CD-RW Write --- 10x max.
CD Read --- 24x max.
DVD Read --- 8x max.
DVD-RAM Read --- 2x max.

Here is the link:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...es&ProductSKU=VGNSZ270P/C&TabName=specs&var2=

 

I'm not sure, but I believe that the premium's drive is smaller because that decreases the weight and vibration of the laptop.

 

May be it is to reduce the vibration. But many people used to think there is no difference in terms of DVD±RW!

 

the older premiums actually had the speedier drive too. The 160p/c had the 8x and the 260p/c has the 4x. I would have bought the 160p/c but I was too late and all they had left was a floor sample =/

 

Does this mean the premium series can't write DVD-R DL while the standards can?

 

no, it's just slower

 

because they want to cut down the cost

 

Hi Anhtung,

Thanks for bringing this up.
This is still my biggest unsolved question.

The SZs are avaiable over here as the SZ23 and SZ28 (premium) as well and I see the same thing!

I have been asking several shops but those sales people don't even know what they are talking about...

I'm curious why would a machine which cost 1000 dollars more in price give you a lower quality drive. What gives???

 

Does anyone have the SZ premiums?
Can we share information on those drives?

I have ready access to two SZ23s with me. I can try to post the manufacturer.

I've been trying to ask myself whether one drive is made in Japan whilst the other is made in China...but I never had enough information in my hands.

 

Actually it's very strange. Even customizable models (SZ240) have the same slow speed as the premium's. Salepersons dont know anything to give the right information.

 

I dunno you might wanna look into panasonic's page as I think they're the oem for the drives. Mine is model uj-832d. The drive's maker is listed as matshita but matsushita will get you more info. They're both panasonic whichever way you look at it.

Anyway, I have the 260 and I'm fine with the drive. It's kinda loud on start up but usually quiets down quickly. I don't have a real complain.

 

anhtung, I just did a search as well and I'm finding that the drives are all the same now. I could have sworn the drives were faster before, when i was doing my research a a month or so ago.

I wonder if it's because the drives were advertised at 4x dvd-rw or 8x read. I'm not familiar with the advertisement so this might have sounded a little silly

 

The above information on the optical drive has been quoted from Vaio SZ Manual. Anyway, Premium and SZ240 owners may still happy if they think the slow speed of optical drive is not important because they seldom use it.

 

Not sure where you got that from, but under the premium specs in the first post, there is no DVD-R DL. Plus, the standard writes in 2x....I'm not sure if there even is such a thing as 1X.

On a side note, I believe my premium has a UJ-842D drive.

 

nope, according to the sony specs, it burns dl at 2.4x

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=VGNSZ260P

please click on the marketing specs

 

well that is DVD+R DL...not DVD-R DL...unless those are the same. the standard SZ has both listed.

 

oh sorry I read that wrong. Im not too sure myself, but I love that noodle. Neo Guri.

 

Ah. Finally someone who recognizes it. One of my favorites too.