Sony VAIO VGP-PRTZ1

The Sony VAIO VGP-PRTZ1 docking station for the Vaio TZ range of laptops is a solid piece of kit worthy of the Sony brand. The rear of the device features 3 x USB 2.0 connectors, a VGA connector (unfortunately no DVI), a 10/100/1000 RJ45 network port, and a power connector. The only minor annoyance is that no power adaptor is supplied with the docking station, meaning that it is necessary to either use the power block from the laptop, or to purchase a second power block for about £3.80.

This seems to me to defeat the purpose of having a docking station where I would like to leave the power adaptor in place and keep another in my laptop bag for travelling. I think that most people would be forced into paying the extra for a second power supply. This aside, the docking station works as expected, with a docking connector in the middle of the top side which slides into the docking slot underneath the laptop - providing you remember to slide back the protective cover on the laptop.

The station has a large recess at the back to cope with extended batteries, and there is a small plastic tab on the right which covers the onboard VGA connector on the laptop, forcing you to use the monitor connector on the docking station itself. There are two LEDs on the right hand corner of the station indicating the presence of a power supply, and whether the docking station is in use. Below these LEDs is an 'undock' button which allows safe removal of the laptop from the station. Overall, I was tempted to give the VGP-PRTZ1 docking station 3 stars reflecting the value for money of the solution without a supplied power adaptor, but then I remembered that it is a Sony product, and the build quality is first class, and a premium is to be expected.