View source for PCG-FR (AMD)

[[File:FR 2x.jpg|alt=A PCG-FR in a japanese Ad|thumb|368x368px|PCG-FR JP]]

== Overview ==
The Sony VAIO PCG-FR (AMD) was a series of mid-to-high-end, desktop replacement laptop computers introduced by Sony in 2003, aimed at power and business users, that needed a powerful, yet not extremely expensive device.

They were highly praised for their excellent keyboard, and their superb Sony Ultrabright displays, they were bright, and the colors were vibrant, however the resolution was lacking. Another criticality of this series of laptops was battery life, which, clocking at around 2h, was below average at the time and even worse on the Intel-powered machines.

They featured a mobile AMD Athlon XP CPU, a downgrade over the Desktop Intel Pentium 4 found on the Intel variants. However, in exchange, you recieved a better GPU, an NVIDIA GeForce 4 420 Go, which is still pretty basic and not intended for gaming.

They had a super nice blue finish, that looks better in person than in pictures. Build quality was excellent, as is VAIO's tradition.

They can be easily differentiated from the Intel variant by the little opening marked "Memory Stick" on the bottom left of the keyboard. AMD variants do not have that, but Intel variants do.

== Detailed Specs ==
'''<big>Note: these specifications are relative to the PCG-FR105, so CPUs are subject to slight changes</big>'''

'''Processor:''' 1.67GHz Mobile AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (Socket A)

'''Graphics:''' 190MHz NVIDIA GeForce 4 420 Go 

'''VRAM:''' 64MB DDR

'''Memory:''' DDR PC-2100 SDRAM

'''Storage:''' 2.5" IDE HDD

'''Ports:''' 3x USB; 2x Type II PCcard slots; 1x Sony i.Link S400 (Apple FireWire 400 4-pin/ IEEE1394); 1x VGA-Out; 1x A/V-Out (3.5mm to RCA cable needed), 1x parallel "Centronics" printer port; 2x 3.5mm audio jack (audio-in and audio-out)

'''Additional Devices:''' 1x 3.5", 1.44MB Mitsumi floppy drive; 1x DVD-ROM/CD-RW Quanta Storage optical drive

'''Connectivity:''' 10/100 Mbps Ethernet; 56k Fax/Modem Combo; IEEE1394 net adapter

'''Display:''' 14.1" 1024x768 (XGA), 4:3 TFT panel

'''Weight:''' over 3kg (over 6.6lb)

'''Battery life:''' about 2h

== Daily Usage Today ==
These machines can be used for light modern office tasks, like text editing. Web browsing is doable on a browser like MyPal on XP, or on light Linux. Any sort of gaming cannot be done. Typing on these machines is a pleasure, with their excellent keyboard.

==Resources==
[http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-FR55/ Sony JP VAIO PCG-FR (AMD) Presentation Web Pages] (it's awesome)

[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fr/pcgfrv_usermanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FR Series User Manual]

[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fr/pcgfr130_specifications.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FR130 Marketing Specifications]

===== Disassembly Guide =====
[http://photolifewsd10.blog.shinobi.jp/pc・ソフトウエア/sony_vaio_pcg-fr33分解手順 Sony VAIO PCG-FR (AMD) Disassembly Guide]

If the link is broken, please input the URL in the [http://web.archive.org Wayback Machine].

==Downloads==
Follow our [[Drivers Downloading Guides|guides]] to download and install drivers. PCG-FR recovery discs are available for Intel variants.

==Sources==
Pictures: [http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-FR55/ Picture Nr1]