Vaio Z Series PMD compatibility

Hello everyone. Just bought a Z3 (SVZ1311C5E) and am new to the forum.

I'm finding it difficult to find much information on the Sony website about the power media dock. I have seen various model numbers listed, and can get my hands on a VGP-PRZ20A, but I've not idea whether or not it's compatible with the latest Z Series models.

I'm not too bothered whether it's Blu-Ray or DVD as it's really the extra graphics capability I'm after.

Anyone able to help? I might give Sony a call in the morning, in which case I'll update the thread incase anyone else needs to know...

Thanks.

 

Either PRZ20A/B/C should work with your new Z.
A comes with Bluray burner.
B comes with Bluray player.
C comes with just DVD.


Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

If you want to save some money, strongly recommend that you look for a resale of a PMD from a Z22 which is not only compatible with your unit, are identical to the models made for your SVZ13.. There are many Z22 owners who never even used their PMDs - in the US it came with the notebook whether you wanted it or not. The GPU in the Z22's PMD is identical to that in the PMDs made for the SVZ13, though AMD gave it a different series number, "upgrading" it from a 6650 to whatever 7XXX series they named it; regardless, it's identical and a waste of money to pay for a new one from Sony if you can find one on eBay or elsewhere.

You can post to the Wanted To Buy thread here on NBR, but I'm not sure those ads get much traffic. Frankly, I would re-post here in the Sony Forum with a subject line like: "How can I find a second-hand PMD for sale from a Z22?" Then the right people - those who own the PMDs and would gladly sell them if they knew a ready buyer wanted it - will be sure to see your need. You shouldn't have to pay more than $200 for a DVD unit, $250-$300 for a blu-ray. Some people just don't trust "used" purchases, but in the majority of cases the PMDs people got with their Z22s were used either once or twice when it was new or never!

That said, do think twice about paying retail Sony price for a PMD "made for" your Z, as ngvuanh was kind enough to provide ^ ^ model numbers for. Not only are these overpriced, for many users the relatively weak AMD d-GPU is not strong enough for the gaming an enthusiast is likely to need. That's even more true with your 3rd gen. model, in that the HD4000 is even closer in graphics capability to the AMD d-GPU than the HD3000 in the Z22 was. Not dissing your purchase of the SVZ (as you can see I'm quite partial to Z's!), just making sure you know what you are getting for your money.

 

If you're not after BD or the extra ports, don't waste your money on it. Graphic performance is comparable to the Intel chip, and, in some memory intensive games, it's even worse... Save the cash and use it on something more valuable to you, is my suggestion... Also, with win8, the PMD graphics doesn't work at all (no drivers)...