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changed some things in the overview - integrated graphics in 2001 and last-gen ATI graphics in 2002 make them far more mid-range than high end. |
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[[File:PCG-FX220 no background.png|thumb|PCG-FX220 booted to the Windows 2000 desktop]] | |||
[[File:FX.png|thumb|PCG-FX]] | [[File:FX.png|thumb|PCG-FX]] | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The Sony VAIO PCG-FX is a series of mid | The Sony VAIO PCG-FX is a series of mid-range notebooks manufactured by Sony between February 2001 and November 2002. | ||
They succeeded the [[PCG-F]], borrowing heavily from its design. | |||
They were offered in a 14.1" or 15" form factor, both having XGA TFT displays. | They were offered in a 14.1" or 15" form factor, both having XGA TFT displays. A 15-inch SXGA+ panel was available in the higher-end 2002 models. | ||
The PCG-FX is constructed fully out of plastic. | |||
They were acclaimed upon their release because of their style, portability and build quality.[[File:PCG-FX.png|thumb|Product tour from Sony website of the PCG-FX 2001 lineup]] | |||
On the other hand, many reviewers complained because of the difficulty in accessing the internal parts, especially the hard drive. Less-experienced users were obliged to send the notebook back to the vendor in order to change or swap parts. | On the other hand, many reviewers complained because of the difficulty in accessing the internal parts, especially the hard drive. Less-experienced users were obliged to send the notebook back to the vendor in order to change or swap parts. | ||
They were shipped with many audio and video editing programs, like Adobe Premiere and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge, and also some photo editing applications like Adobe Photoshop Elements. | |||
The battery quality and duration were very good for the time, and they supported also dual-battery operation for an even better battery life. | The battery quality and duration were very good for the time, and they supported also dual-battery operation for an even better battery life, which would replace the modular floppy drive. | ||
They were made for two years, the main difference between those was that the 2001 ones had Intel processors, while the 2002 versions had AMD ones. | They were made for two years, the main difference between those was that the 2001 ones had Intel processors, while the 2002 versions had AMD ones. | ||
Sony made many | Sony made many variations of this model, from budget models with an Intel Celeron and a 1024x768 display to high spec models featuring a 1400x1050 display and Athlon XP. | ||
==Detailed Specs== | ==Detailed Specs== | ||
'''Processor''': Celeron 600MHz, Pentium III 900 MHz, 1GHz (2001 versions); AMD Duron 800MHz, AMD Athlon 4 1GHz, AMD Athlon XP 1400+ 1.4GHz, 1500+ 1.5GHz (2002 versions) | '''Processor''': Celeron 600MHz, Pentium III 900 MHz, 1GHz (2001 versions); AMD Duron 800MHz, AMD Athlon 4 1GHz, AMD Athlon XP 1400+ 1.4GHz, 1500+ 1.5GHz (2002 versions) | ||
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Something more can be done with the Windows XP-shipped models, for example basic web browsing, thanks to many modern programs developed for that OS. | Something more can be done with the Windows XP-shipped models, for example basic web browsing, thanks to many modern programs developed for that OS. | ||
They can be used, in all the versions, to write text (they were shipped with Microsoft Office), play old games, or to import, convert, and edit very old photo, video, or audio | They can be used, in all the versions, to write text (they were shipped with Microsoft Office), play old games, or to import, convert, and edit very old photo, video, or audio footage, maybe in order to convert them into a more modern format. | ||
==Resources== | ==Resources== | ||
[https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/PCG-FX77/ Sony JP VAIO PCG-FX Series (2001) Presentation Page] | [https://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/PCOM/PCG-FX77/ Sony JP VAIO PCG-FX Series (2001) Presentation Page] | ||
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[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx_windows2000usermanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series User Guide for Windows 2000] | [https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx_windows2000usermanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series User Guide for Windows 2000] | ||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx_windowsXPusermanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series User Guide for Windows XP] | [https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx_windowsXPusermanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series User Guide for Windows XP] | ||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx120_servicemanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX120 Service Manual] | |||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx210_servicemanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX210 Service Manual] | |||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx220-40-50-70_servicemanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX220 / PCG-FX240 / PCG-FX250 / PCG-FX270 Service Manual] | |||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx777-877_servicemanual.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX777 / PCG-FX888 Service Manual] | |||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx100series_specs.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX100 Series Specifications Sheet] | [https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx100series_specs.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX100 Series Specifications Sheet] | ||
[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx500series_specs.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX500 Series Specifications Sheet] | [https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/pcg-fx/pcg-fx500series_specs.pdf Sony VAIO PCG-FX500 Series Specifications Sheet] | ||
===== Disassembly Guide ===== | |||
[https://hotpcb.sakura.ne.jp/sony_pc/pcg_fx55s_bp/pcg_fx55s_01.html Sony VAIO PCG-FX Disassembly Guide] | |||
If the link is broken, please input the URL in the [http://web.archive.org Wayback Machine]. | |||
==Downloads== | ==Downloads== | ||
[https://archive.org/details/SonyPCGFX150Recovery Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX150) Recovery Discs] | [https://archive.org/details/SonyPCGFX150Recovery Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX150) Recovery Discs] | ||
[https://archive.org/details/ucg-064-meumb-6-d-1_202405 Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX200 Series) Windows Me Recovery Discs] | |||
[https://archive.org/details/pcg-fx401405-recovery Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX401 and PCG-FX405) Recovery Discs] | [https://archive.org/details/pcg-fx401405-recovery Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX401 and PCG-FX405) Recovery Discs] | ||
[https://archive.org/details/pcg-fxa36-33-32 Sony VAIO PCG-FXA Series (PCG-FXA36) Recovery Discs] | |||
[https://archive.org/details/vaio-pcg-fxa-36-winxp-oem-00-00 Sony VAIO PCG-FXA Series (PCG-FXA36) HDD Image] | |||
We do not know if these discs are model locked. See Compatibility Problems section in the [[Recovery Discs]] page. | We do not know if these discs are model locked. See Compatibility Problems section in the [[Recovery Discs]] page. | ||
It is unknown if these discs are compatible with [[Sony VAIO Recovery Patcher (SVRP)|SVRP]]. | |||
Follow our [[Drivers Downloading Guides|guides]] to download and install drivers. | Follow our [[Drivers Downloading Guides|guides]] to download and install drivers. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
[https://sony.com/ Sony] | [https://sony.com/ Sony] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:59, 3 July 2025
Overview
The Sony VAIO PCG-FX is a series of mid-range notebooks manufactured by Sony between February 2001 and November 2002.
They succeeded the PCG-F, borrowing heavily from its design.
They were offered in a 14.1" or 15" form factor, both having XGA TFT displays. A 15-inch SXGA+ panel was available in the higher-end 2002 models.
The PCG-FX is constructed fully out of plastic.
They were acclaimed upon their release because of their style, portability and build quality.
On the other hand, many reviewers complained because of the difficulty in accessing the internal parts, especially the hard drive. Less-experienced users were obliged to send the notebook back to the vendor in order to change or swap parts.
They were shipped with many audio and video editing programs, like Adobe Premiere and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge, and also some photo editing applications like Adobe Photoshop Elements.
The battery quality and duration were very good for the time, and they supported also dual-battery operation for an even better battery life, which would replace the modular floppy drive.
They were made for two years, the main difference between those was that the 2001 ones had Intel processors, while the 2002 versions had AMD ones.
Sony made many variations of this model, from budget models with an Intel Celeron and a 1024x768 display to high spec models featuring a 1400x1050 display and Athlon XP.
Detailed Specs
Processor: Celeron 600MHz, Pentium III 900 MHz, 1GHz (2001 versions); AMD Duron 800MHz, AMD Athlon 4 1GHz, AMD Athlon XP 1400+ 1.4GHz, 1500+ 1.5GHz (2002 versions)
Graphics: Intel 815EM with up to 11 MB SDRAM (2001 versions); ATI 3D RAGE Mobility-M1 8 MB SDRAM (2002 versions)
RAM: 32 or 64 MB (expandable respectively to 160 MB and 192 MB, 2001 version); 128 MB SDRAM (expandable to 256 MB, 2002 version)
Display: 14.1" or 15" XGA 1024 x 768 (SXGA 1400 x 1050 for the 2002's top-range) TFT LCD screen
Storage: 2.5" Ultra ATA/66 (IDE)
Battery: Lithium-Ion with dual battery operation support
Weight: 14.1": 2.9 kg (102.2 oz / 6.3 pounds); 15": 3.4 kg (119.9 oz / 7.4 pounds)
Original OS: Windows XP Home Edition; Windows XP Professional (models with "P" suffix); Windows 2000 Professional (models with "K" suffix)
MSRP (estimation): 1400 to 2200€
Daily Usage Today
These devices, due to their specs, cannot handle web browsing or running modern programs today.
Something more can be done with the Windows XP-shipped models, for example basic web browsing, thanks to many modern programs developed for that OS.
They can be used, in all the versions, to write text (they were shipped with Microsoft Office), play old games, or to import, convert, and edit very old photo, video, or audio footage, maybe in order to convert them into a more modern format.
Resources
Sony JP VAIO PCG-FX Series (2001) Presentation Page
Sony JP VAIO PCG-FX Series Presentation PDF
Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series User Guide for Windows 2000
Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series User Guide for Windows XP
Sony VAIO PCG-FX120 Service Manual
Sony VAIO PCG-FX210 Service Manual
Sony VAIO PCG-FX220 / PCG-FX240 / PCG-FX250 / PCG-FX270 Service Manual
Sony VAIO PCG-FX777 / PCG-FX888 Service Manual
Sony VAIO PCG-FX100 Series Specifications Sheet
Sony VAIO PCG-FX500 Series Specifications Sheet
Disassembly Guide
Sony VAIO PCG-FX Disassembly Guide
If the link is broken, please input the URL in the Wayback Machine.
Downloads
Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX150) Recovery Discs
Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX200 Series) Windows Me Recovery Discs
Sony VAIO PCG-FX Series (PCG-FX401 and PCG-FX405) Recovery Discs
Sony VAIO PCG-FXA Series (PCG-FXA36) Recovery Discs
Sony VAIO PCG-FXA Series (PCG-FXA36) HDD Image
We do not know if these discs are model locked. See Compatibility Problems section in the Recovery Discs page.
It is unknown if these discs are compatible with SVRP.
Follow our guides to download and install drivers.