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    Sony 13 inch multi monitor support

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Kepo, Jul 9, 2011.

  1. Kepo

    Kepo Notebook Enthusiast

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    If I've understood correctly, the new Z2 is Sony's first and only 13-incher supporting two or more external monitors natively (through dock). Right?

    If that's the case, the Z2 seems to be a perfect machine, and finally an alternative for Lenovos and HP's for those needing a lot of desktop resolution in the office, and also enough power and portability on the go.
     
    Kepo, Jul 9, 2011
    #1
  2. Brianho1337

    Brianho1337 Notebook Evangelist

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    Keep in mind that you'll need to connect the PMD to the computer in order to achieve that. Many modern graphics chips (like the 66xx/67xx HD series) support up to 5 external monitors, but that can only be achieved if the computer offers enough display ports. The Z itself has 2 ports (VGA, HDMI) and the dock also has a VGA and HDMI port, so you'll have the option to simultaneously operate 4 external monitors.
     
    Brianho1337, Jul 9, 2011
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  3. arth1

    arth1 a҉r҉t҉h

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    Is there any material stating that it actually can drive 4 monitors, or is this an assumption based on counting connectors?

    Remember that the old Z has both HDMI and VGA, and the dock has VGA + DVI-D, but you can still only run a single external monitor.
     
    arth1, Jul 10, 2011
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  4. Brianho1337

    Brianho1337 Notebook Evangelist

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    I haven't read of any material but check out this video: YouTube - ‪2011 VAIO Z - Power Media Dock Offical CM‬‏

    Somehow it only drives 3 external monitors as shown in the video, but theoretically it should support 4.

    The VPC-Z can't drive more than one external monitor because I believe the video card (330M) doesn't support it. The newer AMD cards do.
     
    Brianho1337, Jul 10, 2011
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  5. pyr0

    pyr0 100% laptop dynamite

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    Guys, read carefully.

    New Z can drive 3 external monitors + the laptop screen. In this configuration, 2 external Screens are plugged into VGA and HDMI on the PMD and another into HDMI/VGA on the laptop.
     
    pyr0, Jul 10, 2011
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  6. fristi

    fristi Notebook Guru

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    So what you are saying is that the SA with the 6630M HD card should also be able to drive 2 external monitors and the laptop screen since it has both VGA and hdmi outputs? That would be cool :D
     
    fristi, Jul 10, 2011
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  7. Brianho1337

    Brianho1337 Notebook Evangelist

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    Not quite sure, but it is entirely possible. The only way to figure out if it really works is to test it with the unit yourself.
     
    Brianho1337, Jul 10, 2011
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  8. porks

    porks Notebook Enthusiast

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    The rep I talked to said it could. No idea if he really knows what he's talking about though since I don't have enough monitors to test it myself.
     
    porks, Jul 10, 2011
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  9. electronicsguy

    electronicsguy Notebook Evangelist

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    Nopes. All the Sx series cards will drive only 2 unique screens. You may be able to drive laptop + 2 monitors totally, but you'll have to clone 1 screen.

     
    electronicsguy, Jul 11, 2011
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  10. Kepo

    Kepo Notebook Enthusiast

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    So you can run 2 external monitors through HDMI and VGA when the laptop lid is closed? That was not possible with the old Z.

    Do you know if that works also through dock (VGP-PRS20)?
     
    Kepo, Jul 12, 2011
    #10
  11. fristi

    fristi Notebook Guru

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    doesn`t the laptop go in sleep mode when you close the lid?
     
    fristi, Jul 12, 2011
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  12. electronicsguy

    electronicsguy Notebook Evangelist

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    It doesn't 'have' to :)

     
    electronicsguy, Jul 12, 2011
    #12