VGN-CS
Overview
The Sony VAIO VGN-CS is a series of mid-range laptops released by Sony in 2008. It's the evolution of the VGN-CR, released the previous year, and it included some hardware improvements such as the introduction of the more efficient Penryn line of Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs and a newer NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS GPU (optional). It is a cheaper version of the VGN-CR (the other evolution of the VGN-C) as it utilises cheaper materials, such as plastic, as well as less powerful hardware to archive a cheaper price point compared to the more upscale VGN-CR. The laptop was targeted towards younger people and females, featuring a wide selection of colours and a compact body.
It introduced a new display imaging technology, called "Sony XBRITE-ECO Technology" that allowed the display to show better images while consuming less energy.
Indeed, Sony focused a lot on the battery duration of this laptop, in order to make it more versatile. It's 5 hour battery life achieved that, to an extent. Higher end versions of the CS came with features like a fingerprint reader and Blu-Ray drive, as usual for VAIOs.
This series of laptops was very controversial, it was appreciated for its specs and features, especially the quality of the display and the bright colors of the shell that this PC was available with, but it was strongly criticized because of its poor-quality materials (like plastic) related to its relatively high price (over 1000€) and the difficulty in finding versions with the NVIDIA GPU.
For these reasons, many people preferred to buy the VGN-CR from the previous year that had not only a better build, but also better internal parts.
The VGN-CS was offered in red, black, pink, white, purple, and gold, and it had two dynamic LEDs in the lower part of the front of the laptop (below the indicator lights) that allowed it to enlighten the place where the computer is resting to the rhythm of music playing on the PC.
Detailed Specs
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T3400 2.16 GHz, T6400 2.0GHz, P8600 2.40GHz, P8700 2.53GHz, T9550 2.66GHz
Graphics: Intel GMA (Graphics Media Accelerator) 4500MHD, NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS (optional and rarely available)
Display: 14.1“ 1280x800 Sony XBRITE-ECO
Memory: DDR2-SDRAM (2 slots, not soldered)
Storage: 2.5" SATA
Weight: 2.6 kg
Original OS: Windows Vista
Daily Usage Today
The VGN-CS can still be used today, as they are equipped with relatively powerful CPUs from the time.
It can be used for web browsing and simple programs like text editing and creative apps from around the era. Better performance can be found in the models with the NVIDIA GPU. Games from the beginning of the century can be played, but it may not handle modern ones. Cloud gamimg is more or less feasible. With an SSD, this is able to run Windows 10 fine, but you won't be able to do many intensive tasks on the CS.
Resources
Sony JP VAIO VGN-CS Series Presentation Page
Sony VAIO VGN-CS Series Startup Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-CS Series User Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-CS Series Operation Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-CS Series Warranty Summary
Sony VAIO VGN-CS Series Safety Information
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!