VPCZ21AGX or Z2 memory and ssd upgrade question

Hello All,
I am a little lost even after 3 days of searching for related info on this forum and the web. The laptop I just got yesterday is the VPCZ21AGX (I am assuming this is what everyone keeps on referring to as Z2? And for Ivy Bridge, they refer to that as Z3?) and is looking into the possibility of upgrading the memory and SSD.

Question 1: The system has 4gb of memory now, is it possible to upgrade? I remember reading some article a while back about how the new Z uses the non-standard type of memory dimm (soldered on?). If soldered on, is it too naive to ask if we can unsolder the existing memory, then solder on the new 8gb memory module?

Question 2: Similar to Q1, but it's related to SSD upgrade. Is the included 128GB SSD upgradeable?

Appreciate it.

 

Q1: Proprietary modules. Not soldered. Only Sony sells them - for big $$$.
Q2: Proprietary modules with special form factor double sided PCB and proprietary dual SATA channel ZIF cables. Only Sony sells them - for big $$$.

I can't believe you searched the forum for 3 days and did not find anything. Your questions were asked and answered about 20 times already.

 

Actually, the SSDs are a strange variety of SATA LIF. You can't use any other SATA LIF ssds so it doesn't really help, although with a little soldering and the right datasheets you could easily convert the interface to something standard.

If the laptop comes with an HDD of course then its probably standard 2.5" sata and can be upgraded to a normal SSD. Not sure if the z2 even came with HDDs, but its good information for almost ALL Sony Vaio laptops with SSDs, since they ALL use the same type of SATA LIF SSDs. Correct me if I'm wrong here.

It seems likely there is even a cable you can buy for the z2 series that will allow a drive with a normal 2.5" connector to work, even if the space is 1.8", and then you could upgrade to a number of 1.8" drives. But this could be more doubtful than I think.

To finally answer and clarify the 2nd question, yes you can find the upgrades, Sony is NOT the only company that has them for sale, prices MAY be reasonable as they are mass produced if rare SSDs.
In my experience some of these have been CHEAPER than a normal SSD. I got 2 of the 128gb SSDs for 75$ each.

Alibaba is a great place to try and find a good price on some 256gb drives.
The part number of the 256gb (I think, I know its not 128gb) one is:
MMDPE56GQDXP

 

Pyr0, should I tell them or do you want to?

Ahem. The SSD modules you are referring to ^ ^ can be used in some Z1 models ("Arrandale" dual core, 2010-11) but the Z2 (Sandy Bridge, 2011-12) was a ground-up redesign of the Vaio Z series and shares virtually 0% of the Z1's components and it's key components are all proprietary Sony designs and no one else makes/sells them. It will cost you as much to upgrade to 8GB/256GB as it likely cost you to buy the Z2. The SVZ13 is the successor to the Z2 and is essentially a Z2 with Ivy Bridge processors and a few minor changes. It takes the same proprietary ram and SSD chips, same prices as far as I know.

I know you were trying to help the OP, but please be careful writing as if from a position of knowledge when in fact you lack much on a particular subject. All Sony laptops do not use the same SSDs, by very far, and the Z has long been different from all others in the line in this regard. To my knowledge only the Z11s used the SSD connectors you referenced, and the later Z12/Z13 used mSATA connectors but the same chipset as in the 1.8" SSD with the casing removed. So your answer was correct for only the first three months of one Z series model year; it was incorrect for the OP's machine and all other Sony notebooks. Being helpful is cool; giving bad advice is not.

 

Geez no need to go namecalling me uncool when I wasn't even giving advice. Note how I said "correct me if I'm wrong here".

My main point is that Sony is NOT the only company that sells their proprietary SSDs, WHICHEVER type they are, it MAY be possible to get a decent enough price to upgrade reasonably.
Once you get past all the disclaimers my advice still stands as good advice, if he does really want to upgrade he should search Alibaba.

Also what makes you think those SSDs can't be used on the SA series?

Again the part number I posted was meant mostly as an example of how upgrading some Sony Z SSDs can be done without going through Sony. Yes I should have stated, I don't know if these SSDs are correct for your particular laptop, for that I apologize.

 

Thanks for all of your help. I was able to find a couple of people that are/working on seeing if upgrade is possible on this forum.

These are the links to the threads:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/611847-full-vaio-z2-review-useful-guides-resources.html I am following Zoink's progress.
and
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/603509-sony-vaio-z2-photos-teardown.html I am following Avalon's progress.

Again, appreciate it and hopefully this is a solution.

 

Some update here if anyone is interested. Got a lot of help from a fellow member and already bought the SSD (512GB) off of Amazon. Should be able to get it installed by next Monday or Tuesday. Once I get everything done and working, I'll post back with the info.

BTW, the price for the 512GB SSD is surprisingly cheap, considering the premium price that Sony and other mfgr charges for each respective SSDs. Especially the Z2 where it uses proprietary solution.

 

The Z1 and Z2 SSD's are definately differant, I found out the hard way. I bought a 256 and a 512 from TimeTec through Amazon for my Z1, and was fortunately able to return them, as they had advertised them as MSATA. There is a route to upgrades. One is to google the part number of the drive you want (MZRPA256HMDR or MZRPA512HMFU) and get it as cheap as you can, and replace your current drive. They were $180 and $300 a month ago. The other option (if you currently have a Samsung single card with 2 serial numbers) is to order the correct dual card ribbon cable (FPC-243, p/n A1827754A), add the same size as you have now, and quad raid 0 your machine. Two 512's would give you a 256+256+256+256 (1TB!!!) hot rod for about a $400 upgrade over a stock 512 Z2. I know this sounds cheap, but SSD prices have dropped significantly the last 6 months.

 

^Only a single SSD board (two-sided) fits into Z2. Z1 is thicker and two boards (two-sided each, total 4 drives) fit into it. More than two SSDs would not make sense on a Z2/Z3 anyways, as there are only two SATA 6Gb/s channels available.

 

Wait, are you saying the MZRPA512HMFU will not work with my Z2, or are you saying in order to get the same drive working in Z1, one is to use the dual card ribbon?

 

Here is an update on the SSD upgrade. The whole process is extremely straightforward and simple. I want to give a few pointers for anyone looking to do the similar upgrade.

- The ribbon cable for the SSD requires a little bit of force to remove and connect. There is no clamp or other mechanism to hold the connector down. The ribbon cable is very sturdy.
- After you have completed the SSD swap, the first thing you want to do before recovering or clean-installing OS is to re-configure the RAID.
a. Go into BIOS (press the F2 key during boot)
b. Check that the RAID boot screen is enabled. Save.
c. Restart the computer.
d. After the initial boot screen, the laptop will now temporarily pause at the RAID screen to allow you to go into the RAID configuration. Follow the on-screen direction to complete the RAID.

If anyone needs more help or info, feel free to post and I will try to help out as much as I can.