Vaio Z dock? Anyone care to share any experiences?

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a dock and I was wondering if anyone has the one from Sony for the Z (~$200).
The most appealing feature for me is the dual ethernet ports as I need to be connected to two separate LANs and I always have to remove one cable and put the other in.

Also is there any advantage to using the dedicated dock port beneath the laptop rather than getting a universal USB dock? (I found a really nice one from Lenovo that's $70.)

thanks

 

If you only need the dock because you need two ethernet ports, why don't you just go for a usb ethernet card for just 10 bucks?

 

Of course I don't need the dock just for the ethernet
I need it because I have 3 different usb disks that I plug in plus usb speakers and an external vga monitor. However very rarely u find a dock with 2 ethernet ports.

 

The dock works fine. Mostly people complain that it doesn't have audio connections (I use a USB sound card) or allow 2 external monitors along with the laptop screen (I use a USB DisplayLink adapter).

I've heard that some of the USB docks have a video adapter in them.

 

Bear in mind that the ethernet ports on the dock are basically a switch -- it does not make two ethernet adapters visible to the laptop. If you plug both LAN cables into it then the two networks will be linked (anyone on network A will be able to see all machines on network B, and vice versa, unless you add additional hardware) which I'm guessing you don't want, as otherwise you could have easily done that already with an external switch.

The dock is pretty basic but a nice solution if it does what you want. It's quite expensive, and they seem to have made some odd choices (for example, the Gigabit ethernet switch -- a relatively expensive thing to add, and pretty pointless since there's only two ports) and missed out some obvious things (like the sound card).

I got mine on eBay (new) for £70, which given that it includes another genuine power adaptor isn't a bad price. At full Sony price it does start to be questionable value for money.

For your usage, it does sound like a USB dock with a USB ethernet adaptor would better suit your requirements.

 

Can u tell me the model number that included a 2nd power adapter please? The one on the sony website does not mention anything like that?

 

Also just to be clear, any 3rd party/universal dock wont be able to power up the laptop right ?

 

Good point.

 

The Z's docking station isn't really a docking station, but more of a port replicator. Apart from a DVI-D port, it doesn't add any new functionality, just moves the ports for ease of not having to plug/unplug. The USB ports is an external hub, not extra internal USB ports. The ethernet likewise. You don't get a second monitor, PS/2, serial and parallel ports, and other things you normally get with docking station. It also doesn't come with an AC adapter -- that has to be bought separately (or use the one you have).

As such, I'd say it's not worth the steep price in general, but the convenience it offers may still make it worth buying for those who really want just what it does and don't really have an issue with how much it costs.

 

Not really, since Sony's port replicator doesn't have a power button either.

 

As I said I'd like something to allow me to just easily and quickly remove the laptop from my desk as I go on the road.
Currently, I need to unplug the a/c, usb for speakers, usb for 2 mobile disks, ethernet cable and vga cable for my external monitor.
You can get a nice universal dock for around 80-100 bucks from amazon but it would luck the option to charge the laptop.
That's why I wanted to ask how does the one from sony compare...

 

I got the Z dock about 3 months ago; I knew before I got it that was overpriced and lacked key features like speaker-out or an optical bay. I got it for convenience: it's just easier to drop my laptop into the dock and forget about it, than it is to set it down on my desk and re-connect the power, USB, and network.

I use a USB soundcard in my dock, so that's not really a problem (and means I can attach a 7.1 system too). I don't use the DVI of the dock, and the dual-network thing is really just a switch.

The dock includes a little space for you to put the plastic cover of the dock connector on your laptop. The manual advises you to put it back in your laptop whenever you disconnect it to prevent dust from getting in, but I haven't put it in for over a month now without any problems.

The build quality of the dock is fine, but the top bit is made of cheaper plastic and contrasts with the smoothness of the Z itself.

So my main point is that the dock is overpriced for what it does and could do with better features.

 

Great feedback.. thank u!!



Well to be honest I was also considering this one as it's half price for xmas..
The only thing missing is the charger..

 

Yes, yes, you keep saying this. Several times now, I've noticed, and I fail to see how it adds much to the conversation. Frankly, I suspect most of us connect laptops to a "docking station", or a "port replicator", for ease of use, so we don't have to constantly connect and disconnect multiple cables. What do you use your mythical uber-docking station for?

Regarding this: Not really, since Sony's port replicator doesn't have a power button either. I'm quite certain he means that a universal would not be able to provide power to the Vaio, not that it would not be able to provide a power switch for the Vaio.

Both of my docks - the VGP-PRZ10 - came with AC adapters.

When my Vaio is in the dock, I have 7 USB ports - 3 on the Vaio, 4 on the dock. All of them function. What is your point?

None of the docks, or port replicators, that I have used in recent years - Dell, IBM, and now Sony - included a video card to drive an additional monitor. All of this additional expansion that you say is needed in order to be called a "docking station" - video card, PS/2, serial, parallel, and "other things" - why is any of that necessary to avoid your scorn?

Finally, the price is not unreasonable, considering that it comes with a AC adapter. The retailer where I purchased my docks (for $200 US each) sells the same AC adapter for $90 US.

You say it is overpriced, underfeatured, inadequate, sorely lacking, whatever. I say that, in two steps and with one hand, I can lay the Vaio on it, press the power button, and be up and running. Completely connected and operational in two easy steps.

Please give the docking station bashing a rest. Thanks.

 

Um, excuse me? I've only said this ONCE. There are exactly two posts from me (apart from this one) in this conversation -- the one you just replied to, and one about the lack of a power button (and nothing else). How is that my saying the same thing again and again?

Am I correct in presuming you don't know how quoting works, and thought that someone else quoting what I said meant I said it again?

Anyhow, GOMF.

 

Thanks for the input.
One more question though... there's only one dock for the Z series, the PRZ10 that you mentioned and it's compatible with VPCZ11,Z12 and Z13 right ?

I mean if I get it from ebay or amazon I shouldn't worry about getting an older model. Cause this guy here says that the VGP-PRZ10 here is intended for use with the older VPC-Z11 series.

I'm also considering this one from lenovo

 

No, there are two port replicators for the Vaio Z. The VGP-PRZ1 and the VGP-PRZ10. The former only works with the VGN-Z, and the latter only works with the VPC-Z.

You can tell them apart by looking at them, because the older one (for the VGN-Z) folds in half, protecting the connector when not in use.

VGP-PRZ1 | VAIO® Z Series Docking Station | Sony | SonyStyle USA

VGP-PRZ10 | VAIO® Z110 Series Docking Station | Sony | Sony Style USA

 

Thanks a lot for clearing this up for me!

One more question.. the usb ports are powered? Cause otherwise it won't be of any use for my 2.5" hdds.

Also I know someone mentioned that u need to open the lid of the laptop in order to power it on but I don't mind cause I dont have an external keyboard anyway but the dock does charge the laptop right? I mean u don't need to plug the a/c cable back into the laptop right ?

 

Yes and no. You get a powered hub, but the power is shared between the ports. I.e. if any of your external drives need more than the standard 500 mA, you may not be able to drive more than one of them.

 

I just hooked up 4 USB-powered 2.5" drives (3 7200RPM, 1 5400RPM) to the docking station and ran Crystal DiskMark on all 4 simultaneously with no problems. You should be fine.

Yes, the dock powers the laptop.

 

Toshiba Dynadock V has a displaylink video card. Looks to have a USB hub inside it and usb LAN too. Appears it can be used on any notebook.