Vaio Z SSD Upgrade

How can I upgrade the 128 GB SSD of VAIO VPCZ133GX/B to 256 GB SSD? If I take it to Sony how much will they charge? What are the alternatives? Thanks in advance.

 

It's like $700 in parts if you go the Sony route and buy the official 256GB Raid0 SSDs from them.

Alternatives are:
If you don't want your optical drive, you can take that out and stick a standard 2.5" drive there.

Buy two 1.8" 128GB drives, strip them from the casing, and replace them with your current 2X 64gb drives.

Other alternatives that don't require you to open the computer:
Look for are Express Card SSDs (I've seen up to 96GB) and if you just need storage space and not speed, you may look at Memory Stick Pro Duo cards (currently up to 32GB) or SDHC/ SDXC cards.

 

Does the Z1x use SDXC cards?

 

It's been confirmed by other users that all VPC Z1x series computers support the SDXC standard. For some reason, Sony didn't advertise it as SDXC compatible until the Z13 refresh, but it works on Z11 and Z12 as well (once again according to other members, I myself have no done it in person)

 

Thanks, that's good to know. I'm reading some insane speeds for SDXC, like 100mbs up to 300 mbs. I don't know what it costs to get anything more than like, 2GB at those speeds without paying the cost of a 256GB Sata III SSD, I say, somewhat in jest, but not entirely. I find it confusing to match the class of card with the use, the speed and then to find the price. Know any rules of thumb on price per GB to compare to SSD's $1,50-$1.75? avg?

Thanks. I'll keep digging and report back as well

 

Does anyone know what is the part number flex cable for two Samsung SSDs in Vaio Z11? Currently I have one SSD and flex cable FPC-202 p/n: 1-881-491-12. I would like to upgrade to two SSDs. Maybe someone want to sell this flex cable?

ps. sorry for my ban English

 

What you need is P/N: 1-881-49 2-12, description "PWB, FPC-209 FLEXIBLE PRINT"

This connects two ZIF SSD modules (triple or quad RAID setups). Good luck!

 

Good luck. Please do keep us posted as to how it goes. I think there are a number of us looking to do the same thing.

 

Don't expect those speeds from the Z. The Ricoh daughterboard for the memory cards is very crappy. I usually get transfer speeds of 8mb/sec when I'm transferring photos from my San Disk SDHC rated at 30mb/sec.

 

Maybe there? Did you try?
1-881-492-12 - Sony Laptop Miscellaneous Parts

 

So, would that same cap apply to SDXC cards, regardless of what they are rated at? What would be the point of making them compatible with these much more expensive cards if they can't benefit from the speed? Might there be an ExpressCard adapter that would enable faster data rates from SDXC (or SDHC) cards?

 

BTW, MemoryStick somehow performs much better on mine, getting a 20-30MB/s with a standard Sony 4GB stick.

 

Funny thing about MS is that the first generation is much faster than the second generation, unless you buy the (ridiculously overpriced) ultra super high speed varieties.

I found this out in the days of Vista, which is far more picky than Windows 7 about what media it will allow ReadyBoost for. Old memory sticks, no problem, whether Sony or Sandisk, large or duo. New memory sticks, no way, unless they were Ultra 2 Nitro Overcharge models.

With SD cards, many newer cards are tweaked for sustained speed at the expense of random speed, which is good if all you use them for is taking pictures, but bad otherwise. But there the variety is greater between brands and sizes too (in benchmarking hundreds of cards, Lexar class 6 easily outperforms PNY and Patriot class 10). And the larger cards are generally slower - 2 GB seems to be the "sweet spot" for performance, with 4 GB acceptable, but anything bigger is rather slow.

 

I have a Class 10 Patriot LX Serices SDHC and I get ~30MB/s when dumping images and video to my Z. I still wouldn't recommend one as a means to increase storage though.

This might be something you might want to look into
Newegg.com - Wintec FileMate 3FMS4D048JM-R ExpressCard 34 48GB ExpressCard 34 & Mini USB 2.0 MLC Internal / External Solid State Drive (SSD)

Reviews seem to be very polarized but this one does seem to be better than older expresscard ssd's which all seemed to get hammered across the board. You might get lucky but again, you might not. You can always return it if it doesn't pan out.

If it's really just for storage and don't need it to be super duper fast, whlie affording to lose a USB port check this out

Amazon.com: Lexar Echo ZX 32 GB USB 2.0 Backup Drive LEHZX32GBSBNA: Electronics


Best suggestion so far in my opinion has been ditching the ODD for a 2.5" ultra bay adapater. It was easy when I did it and of course, any 2.5" SSD will work. I eventually went with the dual 1.8" case stripped drives though, for the sole reason of just being able to do it :\

 

hi im also looking into the possibility of adding ssd to my HDD-only z, are only zif ssds supported? no options for micro-sata?

also, any suggestions as to what zif ssds to buy? thanks

 

A1781464A is the micro-sata cable. zif to 2 m-sata connections

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/511578-how-replace-ssd-vaio-vpcz11-vpcz12-non-sony-ssd.html

 

If anyone is interested in my 128gb Raid-0 ssd pulled from my Z11, lmk

 

where are you located

 

I am How much do you want? Please write PM to me Do you have FPC-209 for sale?

 

hey i asked first

 

ok ok but I am 2nd in line

 

well honestly im not in a rush to upgrade yet as i can live very comfortably on HDD right now, im more worried about getting a ribbon connector before a ssd

also depends on where the seller is located too; he may not feel like shipping to canada which is where im located so dont give your hopes up yet

 

PM'd both of you

 

I have an extra cable available to the first PM'er as well. Just pay approximate shipping costs and it's yours.

 

PM sent. Thanks Beaups

 

^It's yours!

 

^ dang! too late....

 

I'll sell it to you for $50. just kidding.

I will pass it along to you if for any reason I am not successful doing the upgrade.

 

Hey I asked first about FPC-209 cable in this thread. ( Ok nwm...still searching...

 

ok u can go first; i paid for Qwaarjet's SSD last night so i shouldnt be so greedy