PCG-C2GPS
Overview
The Sony VAIO PCG-C2GPS was a Japan exclusive subnotebook released by Sony in November 1999. It wasn't supposed to be a successor to the PCG-C1 but more of a revision, being based on the PCG-C1XE.
The PCG-C2GPS was gray and made out of metal and plastic, with purple battery and mouse buttons, and featured generally the same build quality as the PCG-C1XE, apart from the display which is totally different.
It was aimed at navigation and being a device that could be taken outside, due to its reflective polysilicon TFT display. Instead of having a traditional backlight, this display uses external light as a light source, which means that it can be seen even in direct sunlight. There was an attachable backlight unit that "clipped" onto the back of the display unit and made the it visible in the dark. PCG-C2GPS, PCG-U101 and VGN-U are the two only Sony VAIO devices to be able to use external light as a light source.
Sony wanted the PCG-C2GPS to be used for navigation in the car and on foot and included a "Handy GPS Receiver", which had the ability to be used separately with an AA battery or with the unit via USB power. It could record location information at regular intervals to the built-in 512KB memory in the receiver by pressing the "Mark" button, which could've been used to show where you had previously been on the map.
The rotating camera from the PCG-C1 series was removed and the bottom bezel of the display was increased in size. The PCG-C2GPS is slightly lighter than the PCG-C1XE, due to the thinner screen and lid and due to the removal of the camera which allowed for less moving parts on the top bezel.
Being a VAIO, this laptop came with a plethora of Sony software, including special navigation software and many others, such as: NavinYou’, BatteryScope, DVgate, PictureGear, etc.
The NavinYou software was used as a navigation software, using the Handy GPS receiver for GPS.
The starting price was around JP¥300'000 (around 1900€), with only one model launched, presumably due to it having mediocre success.
There were 5000 PCG-C2GPS units made, making it a very rare collector's item nowadays.
Detailed Specs
Processor: Intel Pentium II 266MHz
Graphics: NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV(NM2200)
Memory: 64MB
Storage: 8.1GB IDE HDD
Display: 8.9" Ultra Wide XGA 1024x480 reflective polysilicon TFT
OS: Windows 98 SE
Weight: 960g
Size: (W) 248 mm x (D) 153 mm x (H) 24 mm
Battery life: 2.5h (Small Battery), 5.5h (Large Battery), 11h (Extra Large Battery)
Other: PC-Card Slot, GPS receiver, External backlight, Jog Dial, i.Link port, Infrared port, Headphone and Microphone jack, 1x USB, 56kbps modem, Display adapter terminal
Daily Usage Today
Today, the PCG-C2GPS is a collector's item, and is not particularly useful, apart from office tasks. Retro gaming and other tasks are almost impossible.
It could still be used as a navigation device, as there is no reason for it not to work anymore. But good luck getting the software, and the device itself in the first place.
Resources
Forum post containing PCG-C2GPS
Video of the PCG-C2GPS in action
Disassembly Guide
Sony VAIO PCG-C2GPS Disassembly Guide
If the link is broken, please input the URL in the Wayback Machine.
Downloads
Follow our guides to download and install drivers.
Recovery discs are not available for this series. We are currently trying our best to find them. If you have some recovery discs available, please archive them and send them to us!