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{{Infobox Specs | |||
| name = PCG-C2GPS | |||
| image = PCG-C2GPS hq.png | |||
| subtitle = PCG-C2GPS | |||
| series = Subnotebook | |||
| rel = November 1999 | |||
| cpu = Intel Pentium II 266 MHz | |||
| gpu = NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV (NM2200) | |||
| chipset = Intel 440BX | |||
| memory = 64 MB | |||
| storage = 8.1 GB IDE HDD | |||
| display = 8.9" Ultra-Wide XGA 1024×480 reflective polysilicon TFT | |||
| os = Microsoft Windows 98 SE | |||
| weight = 960 g | |||
| size = 248 × 153 × 24 mm | |||
| battery = Small: 2.5 h<br>Large: 5.5 h<br>Extra Large: 11 h | |||
| connectivity = 56 kbps modem<br>Infrared port<br>USB 1×<br>i.LINK port<br>PC Card slot | |||
| features = Handy GPS receiver (512 KB memory)<br>External backlight unit<br>Jog Dial | |||
| msrp = JP¥300,000 (~ €1,900) | |||
| units = 5,000 | |||
|audio=Yamaha DS-XG YMF744 (Sound Blaster & MPU-401 MIDI compatible)}} | |||
[[File:PCG-C2GPS hq.png|thumb|304x304px|PCG-C2GPS]] | [[File:PCG-C2GPS hq.png|thumb|304x304px|PCG-C2GPS]] | ||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
The Sony VAIO PCG-C2GPS was a 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 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. | |||
[[File:PCG-C2GPS light.png|thumb|403x403px|PCG-C2GPS with Backlight]] | [[File:PCG-C2GPS light.png|thumb|403x403px|PCG-C2GPS with Backlight]] | ||
It was aimed at navigation and being a device that could be taken outside, due to its reflective polysilicon TFT display. | 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-U|PCG-U101]] and [[VGN-U]] are the 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 | 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.[[File:C2gps backlight behind display.png|thumb|PCG-C2GPS with Backlight behind display]]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 | 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. [[File:Gps reciever.png|thumb|293x293px|Handy GPS Receiver]] | |||
== Daily Usage Today == | == Daily Usage Today == | ||
Today the PCG-C2GPS is not particularly useful, apart from office tasks. Retro gaming and other tasks are almost impossible. | 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 is | 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 == | == Resources == | ||
[ | If a link is broken, please input the URL in the [http://web.archive.org/ Wayback Machine]. | ||
==== Recovery Discs ==== | |||
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! | |||
[https:// | ==== Manuals and Useful Links ==== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+Manuals | |||
|- | |||
| PCG-C2GPS Manual || [https://archive.org/details/sony-vaio-pcg-c2gps-Manual PCG-C2GPS Manual] | |||
|- | |||
| Driver installation guides || [[Drivers Downloading Guides|Follow our driver installation guides]] | |||
|} | |||
[https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/199911/99-1104/ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+'''Presentation Pages''' | |||
|- | |||
| PCG-C2GPS Infosheet || [https://www.sony.jp/ProductsPark/Consumer/PCOM/PCG-C2GPS/ PCG-C2GPS Infosheet] | |||
|- | |||
| Inversenet specs || [https://www.inversenet.co.jp/pclist/product/SONY-note/PCG%252DC2GPS.html PCG-C2GPS Specifications] | |||
|- | |||
| Sony press release || [https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/199911/99-1104/ PCG-C2GPS Press Release] | |||
|} | |||
==== | ==== Guides ==== | ||
[https://home-repair.ipwo.jp/%E3%83%93%E3%83%B3%E3%83%86%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E7%89%A9vaio-%E6%98%94%E3%81%AEpc%E3%82%92%E8%A3%8F%E5%88%87%E3%82%8A%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6msata-ssd%E3%82%92%E7%9D%80%E8%84%B1%E5%BC%8F%E3%81%AB%E3%80%82/ PCG-C2GPS Disassembly | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |||
| PCG-C2GPS Disassembly Guide || [https://home-repair.ipwo.jp/%E3%83%93%E3%83%B3%E3%83%86%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E7%89%A9vaio-%E6%98%94%E3%81%AEpc%E3%82%92%E8%A3%8F%E5%88%87%E3%82%8A%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6msata-ssd%E3%82%92%E7%9D%80%E8%84%B1%E5%BC%8F%E3%81%AB%E3%80%82/ Sony VAIO PCG-C2GPS Disassembly Guide] | |||
|} | |||
== | ==== Community & Videos ==== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+ | |||
|- | |||
| Forum post || [https://www.cnvintage.org/d/118-sony-vaio-c1 Forum post on CNVintage] | |||
|- | |||
| PC Watch article || [https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/991104/sony.htm PC Watch write-up] | |||
|- | |||
| Video in action || [https://old.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations/comments/18ysq7y/vaio_pcgc2gps/ Reddit video of the PCG-C2GPS in use] | |||
|} | |||
== Credits == | == Credits == | ||
Sony | [https://sony.com Sony] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:08, 25 July 2025
| PCG-C2GPS | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Series | Subnotebook |
| Release | November 1999 |
| Processor | Intel Pentium II 266 MHz |
| Graphics | NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV (NM2200) |
| Chipset | Intel 440BX |
| Memory | 64 MB |
| Display | 8.9" Ultra-Wide XGA 1024×480 reflective polysilicon TFT |
| Storage | 8.1 GB IDE HDD |
| Audio | Yamaha DS-XG YMF744 (Sound Blaster & MPU-401 MIDI compatible) |
| Networking | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 98 SE |
| Battery | Small: 2.5 h Large: 5.5 h Extra Large: 11 h |
| Weight | 960 g |
| Dimensions | 248 × 153 × 24 mm |
| MSRP | JP¥300,000 (~ €1,900) |
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 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.
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
If a link is broken, please input the URL in the Wayback Machine.
Recovery Discs
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!
Manuals and Useful Links
| PCG-C2GPS Manual | PCG-C2GPS Manual |
| Driver installation guides | Follow our driver installation guides |
| PCG-C2GPS Infosheet | PCG-C2GPS Infosheet |
| Inversenet specs | PCG-C2GPS Specifications |
| Sony press release | PCG-C2GPS Press Release |
Guides
| PCG-C2GPS Disassembly Guide | Sony VAIO PCG-C2GPS Disassembly Guide |
Community & Videos
| Forum post | Forum post on CNVintage |
| PC Watch article | PC Watch write-up |
| Video in action | Reddit video of the PCG-C2GPS in use |