PCG-505
Overview
The Sony VAIO PCG-505 (also known as バイオノート505 in Japan, translated to BioNote 505) was a high-end subnotebook released by Sony in November 1997, thus being the 2nd VAIO laptop to be released, only a couple of months after the PCG-7** series. It was one of the thinnest and lightest laptops at the time, being only 23.9mm thick and weighing a staggering 1.35kg. Sony used the "MicroNotebook" (1997-1998), and "SuperSlim" (1998-1999) marketing moniker to underline its unique form factor at the time.
The PCG-505 introduced the iconic VAIO cylinder look (the purple look being introduced by the PCG-7**) and used a magnesium alloy chassis all around to reduce the weight of the machine. It adopted various design elements to make it more unique, such as the cylindrical battery, but also the matching accessories that could be bought with the laptop.
The 505 included a stylus on the left side of the display that was able to draw on the trackpad. Next to the power button, located on the right side of the machine, is a programmable button, customizable by Sony's software.
For Japanese models, the 505 included Navin' You, a map viewer software, with a map of Tokyo preinstalled. It also included PictureGear, a photo management program able to be linked with a Sony Cyber-shot or Mavica.
A number of optional accessories were available for purchase, like external speakers that could be attached to both sides of the display (similar to the PCG-QR3's external speakers), an external PCMCIA optical drive, a dock with matching purple casing, or an extended battery.
Detailed Specs
Processor: Intel Pentium MMX 133MHz, 200MHz, 233MHz, 266MHz
Graphics: NeoMagic MagicGraph 128ZV+ NM2097 (approx. 1.1MB VRAM)
Chipset: Intel 430TX
Memory: 32MB SDRAM, maximum 64MB
Display: 10.4" 800x600 LCD, Toshiba LTM10C272S
Storage: 2.5" IDE 1GB, 2.1GB, 4.3GB, 6.4GB
Audio: ESS AudioDrive ES1879 (Sound Blaster Pro compatible)
Weight: 1.35kg
Original OS: Microsoft Windows 95
MSRP: $2000-2700
Daily Usage Today
These days, laptops of this age are only suitable for retro gaming and offline usage, such as editing basic text documents and spreadsheets, and it isn't adequate for running Windows games either, you are better off playing DOS games on it.
Resources
If a link is broken, please input the URL in the Wayback Machine.
Recovery Discs
These discs are not compatible with SVRP, but we are working on a patcher for earlier recoveries.
| PCG-505 | Internet Archive |
| PCG-505X/PCG-505EX | Internet Archive |
| PCG-505V | Internet Archive |
| PCG-505G | Internet Archive |
| PCG-505RS | Internet Archive |
| PCG-505TS/TX | Internet Archive |
| PCG-505X HDD image | Internet Archive |
Manuals and Useful Links
| User Guide EN (1998) | |
| User Guide EN (1999) | |
| User Guide JP (1997) | |
| Service Manual | |
| About Your PCG-505 | |
| CRX55A Optical Drive Manual | |
| CRX76A Optical Drive Manual |
| PCG-505 | Sony JP |
| PCG-505X/EX | Sony JP |
| PCG-505G/GX | Sony JP |
| PCG-505R/RS/RX | Sony JP |
| PCG-505S/SX | Sony JP |
| PCG-505V | Sony JP |
Guides
| PCG-505 Disassembly Video | YouTube |
| PCG-505 Disassembly | fieros.de |