VGN-A
More actions
| VGN-A | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Series | Notebook |
| Release | 2004 |
| Processor | Intel Celeron M 330 / Intel Pentium M 725/730/745/750/765/770 |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon x600 / ATI Mobility Radeon 9200/9600/9700 |
| Chipset | Intel 915PM Express |
| Memory | 512MB/1GB/2GB DDR/DDR2 SO-DIMM (2 slots) |
| Display | 15"/17” 1024x768/1280x800/1440x900/1920x1600 X-BLACK TFT LCD |
| Storage | 60/80/100GB 4200rpm/5400rpm 2.5” HDD |
| Audio | |
| Networking | |
| OS | Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition (all x86) |
| Battery | |
| Weight | |
| Dimensions | |
| MSRP | |
Overview
The Sony VAIO VGN-A (aka. Type A) series was the brand’s flagship “desktop replacement” notebook range, introduced in 2004 and marketed as high-end multimedia, productivity and entertainment workstations, available in 15” and 17” variants.
Despite plastic being used for most of the machine’s shell the build quality is well on the solid side. Said shell was only ever made available in a silver finish with black accents. Sound quality is superb (though some may find it wanting bass-wise) thanks to its somewhat beefy integrated circular speaker drivers on the upper area just above the keyboard, which in itself feels surprisingly good to type on. Keystroke feedback has some firmness to it and the keys themselves are adequately spaced out together.
The VGN-A series was strictly a 32-Bit (x86) system, engineered around the Centrino platform (Carmel). For graphics, ATI Mobility Radeon AGP cards were used (9000 series or x600) thus enabling “Full mobile performance” as called out on the right-hand palmrest sticker. 512MB, 1GB or even 2GB of RAM were available for choice. Also featured was Sony’s X-BLACK TFT LCD panel technology offering superior contrast, richer colors and wider viewing angles, with resolutions ranging from 1024x768 to 1920x1200 WUXGA depending on configuration and display size. Despite best efforts on the power efficiency department, battery life was limited to 2-3 hours at best from the included Lithium-Ion removable battery pack.
Internet connectivity could be achieved with either the built-in 56k modem, 10/100 Ethernet adapter or 2.4GHz 802.11a/b/g WLAN adapter (optional, includes Bluetooth functionality as well). Both Ethernet and WiFi/Bluetooth adapters are part of the Intel PRO lineup. Also available was iLINK IEEE.1394 S400 connectivity, a DVD drive, a PCMCIA card slot, three USB Type-A 2.0 ports alongside LINE-IN and LINE-OUT jacks, A/V OUT jack, VGA OUT and a Memory Stick PRO reader.
A docking station with its built-in TV tuner, MPEG encoder board and S-Master 2x10W digital audio amplifier for maximum AV quality was also available, complete with a very wide range of ports. External speakers were provided as well in case the otherwise pretty decent built-in speakers weren’t to one’s satisfaction. True to brand, Sony made a point to feature all manner of productivity and multimedia software within its Windows XP (x86) OEM install.
The VGN-A series was highly configurable, with Sony offering various sub-variants. Higher end variants included automatic screen dimming, full Wireless connectivity and larger HDDs. Upgrading the components, however, is hardly a cinch: Only one of the two RAM sticks is easily accessible and to replace both the other stick and the stock hard drive will require the whole clamshell-style palmrest panel to be removed.
Daily Usage Today
As technology improved over the years the VGN-A series have not aged the best, not being a viable “daily driver” workstation anymore and instead is now fit for more light-duty usage (Office work, "3D Leap"-era gaming and multimedia/Media Center use cases) nowadays. The now-dated Intel Celeron/Pentium M CPUs simply do not possess the facilities to run modern OS/software with any competence and the 2GB RAM cap is also to be kept in mind while putting this machine to use. The >3 kg device weight and questionable battery life make on-the-go usage a tedious affair, all by virtue of its status as a desktop replacement.
However, as far retro Windows systems and other collector items go they are a mighty smart choice based on their then-flagship-tier performance and timeless looks. Examples in decent condition can be found for less than 100€, while examples in mint condition are significantly more costly. Also, keep an eye out for listings on the docking station, external speakers and remote control as these things really take the VGN-A’s ability to provide a memorable entertainment experience up to 11.
A clean-and-repaste job on the CPU is highly recommended due to both age and the need to avoid catastrophic overheating of the system. Another known failure point is the 1.8V NiMH CMOS battery, which is prone to leakage and therefore is to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent fatal damage to the motherboard.
Upgrading with an SSD and all 2GB of RAM is sure to give these machines a new shot at life, making them highly capable with their Windows XP OEM installation on top of opening up a whole world of creativity and entertainment with the factory bundled applications. All told, the VGN-A is the perfect retro compact media center if you can get ahold of the whole “PC+Dock+Speakers+Remote” package.
Resources
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Downloads & Guides
| Sony VAIO VGN-A Library Archive (HDD Image, Recovery Media, drivers, etc.) | Sony VAIO VGN-A Library Archive (HDD Image, Recovery Media, drivers, etc.) |
| VGN-A130P Windows XP HDD Image + Recovery Partition | VGN-A130P Windows XP HDD Image + Recovery Partition |
| VGN-A130P Windows XP Recovery DVD | VGN-A130P VGN-A130P Windows XP Recovery DVD |
| VGN-A190 Recovery Discs | VGN-A130P VGN-A190 Recovery Discs |
| VGN-A517B Recovery Discs, files and HDD backup (French) | VGN-A517B Recovery Discs, files and HDD backup (French) |
| VGN-A drivers and utilities archive | VGN-A drivers and utilities archive |
| VGN-A teardown, SSD upgrade, Windows tour & speaker demo | [1] |
Articles & Reviews
| Sony Vaio VGN-A250 review | Sony Vaio VGN-A250 review |
| Sony Vaio VGN-A190 review | Sony Vaio VGN-A190 review |
| Sony Vaio VGN-A690 review | Sony Vaio VGN-A690 review |
| Sony VAIO VGN-A product page (JP) | Sony VAIO VGN-A product page (JP) |
| Sony VAIO VGN-A retro showcase | Sony VAIO VGN-A retro showcase |