VGN-FJ

VGN-FJ
Type F Light
Series	Notebook
Release	2005
Processor	Intel Celeron M/Intel Pentium M
Graphics	Intel 915/950 Graphics Media Accelerator (128MB of dynamically allocated RAM/video memory)
Chipset	Mobile 915 Express
Memory	512MB/1GB DDR2 SDRAM (2 slots, PC2-4200, max. 2GB)
Display	14.1" WXGA 1280x800 XBRITE-ECO LCD
Storage	60GB/100GB 2.5" SATA HDD
Audio
Networking
OS	Windows XP Home Edition (later models were sold as Vista-capable)
Battery
Weight
Dimensions
MSRP

Overview

The Sony VAIO VGN-FJ (aka. Type F Light) is a line of stylish, thin-and-light 14.1" notebook computers released by Sony in 2005 and were available in a variety of finishes to their magnesium-alloy-plus-plastic casings depending on domestic markets and configurations (White, Black, Blue, Green, Red, Violet, etc.).

The VGN-FJ notebooks were primarily designed for Windows XP, with later models intended to be Windows Vista capable. Notably, they shipped with XBRITE-ECO 1280x800 native resolution displays and utilized Intel's Sonoma platform (2nd-gen Centrino platform) which featured the Mobile 915 Express series chipset, the mPGA478C CPU socket and either the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG or 2915ABG mini-PCI Wi-Fi adapters. However, no Bluetooth adapter of any kind was included throughout this lineup's production run.

Based on configuration these notebooks shipped with anything from a Celeron M (~1.6 GHz) to the markedly more powerful Pentium M (~2 GHz). Of importance to note is that the lower-end models, in addition to settling for Celeron CPUs, do not include the built-in MOTION EYE webcam and came with a 60GB HDD rather than the typical 100GB.

Initially targeted as a home and office-ready computer (FJ190), more capable models (FJ270/370) were then released and sold as home, office and student-oriented computers instead. The otherwise lower-spec models enjoyed a more colorful selection of casing finishes, later further expanded for a definite deal of time since the extra finishes were in fact a collection of bespoke dye-sublimated lid art exclusive to the “Graphic Splash Edition” limited run as part of Sony’s year-long celebration of VAIO’s 10th Anniversary. Said limited edition models were only available at either a brick-and-mortar SonyStyle outlet or through the SonyStyle website.

The VGN-FJ series was later succeeded by the VGN-C series which included a more compact yet slightly thicker body, a selection of colorful casing finishes of its own, proper Bluetooth connectivity as well as improved build quality and NVIDIA graphics on option.

Daily Usage Today

Various casing colors in which the VGN-FJ was sold

VGN-FJ lid view

As is true of several machines of the era (VAIO or otherwise) the VGN-FJ makes a fair case for itself in terms of continued light-duty usage well into the modern day. Office work, "3D Leap"-era gaming and Media Center use cases should pose little challenge to its hardware even today so long as one keeps the limitations of the Intel 2nd-gen Centrino platform and the 2GB RAM hard cap in mind. A consistently good way to bring performance back to a tolerable level is to swap in an SSD as a boot device.

All of the ''Graphic Splash Edition'' VGN-FJ limited run lid dyes

One of a few custom limited designs offered as part of the VAIO 10th ann. Edition

Resources

If a link is broken, please input the URL in the Wayback Machine.

Recovery Discs & Downloads

VGN-FJ270 Windows XP HDD Image + Recovery Partition	VGN-FJ270 Windows XP HDD Image + Recovery Partition
VGN-FJ270 Windows XP Recovery DVDs	VGN-FJ270 Windows XP Recovery DVDs
VGN-FJ drivers and utilities archive	VGN-FJ drivers and utilities archive

Articles & Reviews

Sony VAIO VGN-FJ190PS product page (JP)	Sony VAIO VGN-FJ190PS product page (JP)
Sony VAIO FJ170/B review	Sony VAIO FJ170/B review
Sony VAIO FJ180/B review	Sony VAIO FJ180/B review
Sony VAIO Gets Artsy	[1]
Intel Technology Journal (Vol. 9; Issue 1; published Feb. 17th, 2005)	Intel Technology Journal