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    Sony TZ Hard Drive replacement 7200rpm 1.8"

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by bejand, Mar 13, 2008.

  1. bejand

    bejand Notebook Consultant

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    Anyone know where I can get a 7200rpm 1.8" hard drive for my sony TZ. I prefer 100GB+. Do these drives even exist?
     
    bejand, Mar 13, 2008
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  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Span.com lists the 1.8" HDDs from Toshiba, Seagate and Hitachi. Samsung 1.8" HDDs are here (the Ultra-mobile category).

    I think you need the ZIF/LIF connector for the TZ which limits the choice. There are a few 5400rpm 1.8" HDDs and none at 7200rpm. 160GB @ 4200rpm is probably the best compromise, if you can find it.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 13, 2008
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  3. bejand

    bejand Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks I will take a look at them. I wonder if SSD is a better option for speed. I'm sure the 5400rpm will be hotter and not dissipate heat as well.
     
    bejand, Mar 13, 2008
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  4. epbrown

    epbrown Notebook Consultant

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    You wonder? No need to - SSDs are much better for speed, being equivalent to 10,000rpm drives; their downsides are the high prices and small sizes.
     
    epbrown, Mar 13, 2008
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  5. boe

    boe Notebook Evangelist

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    Dang I was just about to ask about this myself.

    Do all the TZ's use a 1.8" drive? I'm looking at getting the VGN-TZ285N/RC.

    I'm not familiar with Zif - this is different than a standard SATA drive?

    Anyone here actually upgrade their drive - typically I replace all the SZ Laptops I get with seagate momentus drives.


    Thanks
     
    boe, Mar 13, 2008
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  6. ninjavshippo

    ninjavshippo Notebook Geek

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    zif (zero insertion force, i believe) is a different connector that standard sata.

    i tried, and failed, to upgrade my tz drive. it was a combination of:
    - a mistake i made in opening the tz
    - a defective drive supplied by ssd retailer
    - a ruined original toshiba hdd by a local installer

    eventually, i ordered an original toshiba hdd again, just to get back to square one. it was a costly experiment. unless you've got advanced laptop opening skills or deep pockets, i wouldn't recommend it. just my opinion.

    if you really want the ssd, splurge and get the one that comes w/ an ssd from the factory, because you won't be able to order a compatible ssd drive a la carte from sony
     
    ninjavshippo, Mar 13, 2008
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  7. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    ZIF is a ribbon cable connector which is smaller / lighter than a standard HDD connector. I believe that the basic HDDs with ZIF connectors are PATA. The potential speed advantages of SATA are irrelevant and SATA draws more power, so PATA is still the most appropriate connection.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 13, 2008
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  8. epbrown

    epbrown Notebook Consultant

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    Yep. There is a model that comes with a 1.8" SSD and a 250GB 2.5" drive in place of the DVD drive, though.
     
    epbrown, Mar 13, 2008
    #8