Sony Z-series laptop vibrating

Hello,

I just got a new Sony Z-series laptop. It is a nice laptop, but I don't why there is a very slight vibration. It is not very serious but enough to make me feel uncomfortable. I am not sure whether it is caused by the fan or the harddrive. Is there anyone having the same problem? Does anyone know how to fix this?Thank you.

David

 

it's the HD. is it a 7200rpm drive?

 

yes. it is the 7200rpm drive...

But the model with a 5400 rpm drive has the same problem. This one is displaying in store. That's why I am not sure whether it is a manufacturing problem or a design problem.

The vibration is annoying. ~_~

 

I've got a Z26 which came with a Hitachi 7k2 320GB.

I don't feel any vibration (or anything strong enough to cause me worry). This is even with the fan on full power.

I'm gonna guess you've used a machine with SSD in the past...? Maybe that spoiled you ^_^

 

I wish I had a laptop with a SSD drive.

I think this kind of problem happens randomly. Either the harddrive or the fan is causing the problem. sigh...

 

I've got the new Z51WG with the Hatachi 7200rpm HDD. It vibrates slightly, but until I read this thread I honestly had never noticed it. I don't think I've ever owned a laptop that didn't vibrate slightly. I have bought the Sony wrapover leather cover for the Z Series, the one that sticks on with Velcro on the bottom and silicone on the lid. It does cushion the laptop a little so you notice the vibration less.

If you want less/no vibration you have two choices: 1. Buy an ultralight laptop with an SSD, or 2. Buy a 2kg+ laptop with a solid chassis. The heavier the laptop the less the vibration.

I'd go for an SSD. Anyone know if the Z Series HDD can be swapped out by the user?

 

That's been discussed a bit here on the forums. Yes - it is possible, but depending on your Z (what gen) and what sort of SSD and size you want, you may need some special connectors to get it working. From what I read here, people seem to prefer the RAID setup (two SSD working as one).

Obviously, opening up your Z and tinkering around with it will void your warranty, so unless you can get your Z back to its factory state, I wouldn't try it.

 

But Apple Macbook Pro 13" having a harddrive inside doesn't vibrate. ~_~

 

I know what you're talking about. It's like in between a shock and a vibration. It happens when you touch the palm rest. This happens for whatever reason, but it also occurs in a macbook pro. It doesn't really bother me and the fact that it's in two diff brands of laptops makes me think it's just something you've got to live with.

 

It's likely the mounts. Apples hold the drive in an elastomer-cushioned arrangement rather than bolting the drive more or less directly into the chassis, and the weaker, bendier aluminium forming the whole of the casing does likely serve to deaden the vibrations even more. The additional detail on the Apple doesn't seem to affect survivability of the drive - I've had dead HDD's on unibodies which suffered far greater physical damage than the SZ or Z (on which the HDD survived for a time at least) in similar impacts - but it does definitely pass on less vibration to the user.

The current leakage issue is a slightly different feeling. There's definitely more of an electrical feel than regular vibration.

 

I tried some 13" macbook pro in Apple store. I didn't feel the vibration.

Some Sony laptops displaying in store do vibrate more serious than mine. I think it depends on the quality of the hard drive, some have less vibration, some have more.

 

That is a factor for some high-performance drives, some of which can have relatively high vibration - but good performance and low seek noise (despite the vibration, as long as it's properly screwed in).

 

one more question.... how do I know that the vibration is caused by the hard drive, not the fan? (These are the only 2 constantly moving parts inside a laptop.) Thank you.

 

Well the fan is very small and light, it could hardly move with the nb. It's the HDD, trust me, I couldn't stand it and after a month of use (along with the noise) and I've switched to SSD.

 

Stick your ear on the chassis. The HDD is in the front left had corner. The fan is in the back left hand corner.

 

haha... I did stick my ear to the chassis, but the source of sound seemed to be right below the centre of the keyboard...

I could not stand the vibration either. ~_~ That's why I am asking questions here. Thank you for the inputs of all your guys.

Metsn, you replaced the hard drive yourself, or ask Sony to do so?

 

I haven't heard of Sony switching HDDs to your liking. I switched to SSD too and had to install it myself. Had to be extra careful not to force them too much when prying open some of the parts.