VPCZ1 Palm Rest Replacement

The palm rest on my Z13 has scratched, faded, and has a crack as well, I'd really like to replace it.

Does anyone know the parts number and where I can order it?

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

A-1769-479-A PALM MOLD (SV/FE) T/P (S) [Black & Silver/Carbon & Silver/Glossy Premium Carbon & Silver/Silver]
A-1769-480-A PALM MOLD (SV/N-FE) T/P (S) [Black & Silver/Carbon & Silver/Glossy Premium Carbon & Silver/Silver]
A-1769-481-A PALM MOLD (GM/FE) T/P (S) [Black/Glossy Premium Carbon/Premium Carbon]
A-1769-482-A PALM MOLD (GM/N-FE) T/P (S) [Black/Glossy Premium Carbon/Premium Carbon]

http://www.vaio-parts.com/A1769482A_1

 

Here too:

https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-parts.aspx

$93 with the A-1769-481-A, although you might want to call in so they can verify the price.

Also try sparepartswarehouse.com

Not sure what's the difference between those 4 part numbers are, but you can always check out the VPC-Z manual

 

When you look up the part: A-1769-481-A you get the description: "Palm Mold for PC"

When you look up the part: A-1769-482-A, you get this description: " PALM MOLD (GM/N-FE) T/P (S) [Black/Gloss"

I'm confused by all the part numbers and descriptions. I have a Z13 standard black. Any thoughts which part to order? (want to have a spare).

 

From the Z11/12 manuals located here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/114814-sony-models-specs-support-dissassembly-links.html

I see the image below the first part in each set of 2 are for the felicia chip which came with the japanese models. So the part we really want is:

A-1769-482-A

 

You are just a font of knowledge! Thanks. The question I'm left with is, how do you specify the color?

 

Hmm i think it's the one I gave you, because there are only 2 palmrest colors (silver and grey) and the other palmrest seems to cover all colors... while the one I gave you specifies just premium carbon and carbon so I assumed that was the grey one.

Not too sure though, I'd tell you to ask when you call in... but I doubt the sony rep on the phone will know... Wish i had gotten the part number when Sony sent out 2 techs to replace my palmrest once for fading, and 2nd for an erratic touchpad

 

You guys are some kind of gods I swear
Thank you so much for all the replies, I'll be placing an order right away to get my new palm rest.

 

Actually, I used to be a "Notebook Deity," but NBR has seen fit to promote me to "Notebook Virtuoso" - and I never make music with my computer!

Do take Achu's advice and call in your order because the part numbers/colors are somewhat ambiguous.

I'm still trying to decide whether to keep the "condoms" on my new Z or just buy a replacement for when the palm rests get ugly.

 

Please do reply when you get it and how your install goes. I have dents in my palmrest the first week I got the computer because I pressed my thumb into the plamrest when holding it with one hand. That plastic material is way too flimsy.

 

I've watched two technicians replace my palmrest and it's fairly simple. My newest palmrest is sadly starting to fade (before I got the time to put clearprotector on it)

 

I've got the invisible shield over mine since week 2 of ownership. However, after 14 months of ownership I do see some discoloring. I'm not sure if it's the film itself or the palmrest underneath, but I'm thinking the latter. At least the film helped prolong the discolor. I think I'll switch up to a Z3 in the next iteration so I don't think I'll do a swap but still interesting to see process photos.

 

Which invisibleshield do you have? I know some brands tend to discolor on their own after a while. I'm not exactly sure how the palmrest itself would fade through the protector... although anything is possible as I've not had a skin over mines that long

 

3M Invisible Shield. Exact same stuff they use on cars. It's fairly thin though, not exactly sure on the thickness.

It's possible that sweat still "breathes" through the film and onto the palmrest. The shield seems to only act as a porous barrier to the palmrest. Haven't peeled it off yet, though since I can't source a laser cut replacement piece.

 

I will report in. FWIW, I have worked with clear plastic films and they do fade over time but normally only from the sun. Have you tried using a solution with a small amt of detergent to see if it takes away the discoloration?

 

@lovelaptops,
I haven't tried yet. Do plan on "detailing" the computer in the next week or so.

 

Yes. Probably this weekend. I'll post my experience - at least in words, if not pictures (hard to do the job and photograph it simultaneously.)

The hardest part appears to be the curve toward the front of the lid; the lid curves downward and the edge curves inward a tad at the same place. I think I will just cover the lid up to the demarcating line in the front; it's the way my SGP came so I'm guessing it's hard to do that last 1/2".

@Generic: do your custom cuts go all the way to the front edge of the lid?

 

Hi, I'm new here and just got a Z1! (finally lol, been wanting to get one for so long...)

Anyways, wanted to throw this idea out there: has any of you considered Plasti-dipping the palm rest? That's what I want to do for my new Z but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

Because if it was, you guys would have thought of it already right? =P

 

Yes my custom cut skin goes edge to edge. Curves are easy to do. Just use a squeegee. Also the advantage of covering the edge is that this is where the foot on the screen (at each side of the camera) hit on the palmrest when closed. The skin will provide an extra layer of protection and resist scratching/ fading when the computer is closed.

I've never thought about plasti dipping the computer before, but I have had experience with plastidip on car trim. Not sure if it's a great idea because while the plasti dip is durable, I feel that it's still "soft" in some regard and would seem prone to chipping, especially if you're touching it every day. I'm also not confident in painting my computer, especially if it's all in tact (not taken apart). One thing to keep in mind is that the trackpad assembly is affixed to the palmrest, so even if you were to disassemble it, it'd be hard to avoid painting the trackpad. While one could tape off the trackpad, this would leave an exposed edge of the plastidip where your finger/ hand always is and it would just be an invitation to chipping along that edge.

So long story short, won't recommend plasti dipping it.

 

I'm referring to the lid, not the palm rest. If you look at the end of the lid (away from the hinge) you come to a horizontal cut and then a gentle curve begins - not a problem - but if you carry it to the edge of the lid, the side curves in, ever so slightly but almost surely in a way I could not cut to a perfect professional appearance. One approach would be to leave a very narrow, couple of mm "frame" on all four sides which would avert that inward curve. Think?

 

Ah I see what you're saying. Mine goes 1mm away from the vertex of the curve.