VAIO Z Series Docking Station

Expensive and fragile

The docking station is expensive especially since it does not come with its own power adapter. So in order to have a drop-in dock you also have to buy an adapter. Also the connection between the computer and docking station is rather flimsy. My connection is now flaky (no network, intermittent monitor) in 6 months and am going to have to send it in to a service center to get repaired.

terribly disappointing for the cost

Pros: Design

Cons: USB & Network Ports

after 8mos of use the usb and network ports are causing unnecessary problems

ergonomic design for desk users

Pros: 3 usb ports, dvi, ethernet, fits large capacity battery

Cons: pricey

i found this dock very useful because i work at my desk alot with my sony vaio z. this is a very space efficient dock that fits the vaio z even with its large capacity battery. the dvi outlet is useful if you use a high-res monitor and sony was smart enough to design the dock to fit the vaio z's large capacity battery. my favorite parts of the dock are the addition of three additional usb ports, as the vaio z's two ports is heavily limited, and being able to connect to the internet through ethernet without dealing with the vaio z's sometimes hard-to-open ethernet cap. the dock, like all sony dock's i've seen/used, has easy exit/entry for the notebook; a simple press of the "undock" button and you can lift the laptop off with no physical restraint. the only downside, as with most sony products, is it's price. i highly recommend this dock if you work at your desk alot with your z.

Good Overall, poor design

Pros: 3 USB Ports, LAN port.

Cons: HDMI not replicated on dock, no Audio output on dock, no Power button, and no AC adapter included.

HDMI is not replicated on dock, means that you have to disconnect the cable each time you undock. No Audio output on dock. No Pwr button, requires that you open the lid to Power on. AC adapter could be included for this price range.

AC adapter not included

Pros: Good connectivity

Cons: Flimsy, AC adapter not included

Although this docking station is perfectly functional and has all the required connections (except for sound in/out, which some people might find an annoying omission), it is absolutely shameful that Sony should offer this product at such a high price point when it does not come with its own power adapter. When carefully reading through the specs it is indeed possible to figure out that no adapter is provided, but having used a Dell docking station for years I simply assumed that it would come with its power brick and was incredulous when I opened the box. I will therefore not call this misinformation but it is nevertheless characteristic of Sony's complete lack of interest in customer satisfaction. Finally, one should be particularly delicate when docking and undocking the laptop from the station: the connection is a little flimsy and I suspect that the connector pins on the laptop side will get easily damaged if great care is not taken.

No Power Cord!

Cons: No power cord for $200 station

Well, I haven't even used this yet, my new laptop hasn't arrived, and already I am extremely agitated. How can Sony justify the need to spend an additional $100 for an AC adapter for this $200 docking station? Without an AC adapter this is a useless piece of plastic. Of course, we all know that every new product introduced by Sony requires a whole new set of accessories, since nothing ever "fits" with past models, so I guess I should not be surprised. Love Sony products, their business model is, however, quite unfriendly towards the consumer! Thank you, AJay1

Docking station

Pros: It's a docking station, so that helps

Cons: No 3.5mm speaker out, no HDMI out, no power button

I can forgive the lack of a power adapter, but this thing really needs some of the standard ports and buttons a docking station is supposed to have--speaker out and a power on/off button. The whole point of a docking station is so that you can take it with you, and then just drop it into your dock so that it works full functionality at the home or office. Without the speaker ports (and more USB ports), you constantly have to turn these things off, disconnect them, eject them, and then undock. And vice versa with re-docking. Far more painful than it needs to be.