C1X* (Second Revision): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The Second revision of the Sony VAIO PCG-C1 were released between late 1999 and early 2000. Their main improvements from the earlier generation were the stereo speakers built-in the keyboard, and the ability to create 360 degrees panorama pictures thanks to the camera and a bundled software, called "PictureGear". There is a "capture" button located above the keyboard on the right which is optimal for taking pictures outside, without using the keyboard. It came with some bundled software such as the Camera Capture Utility which allowed for taking pictures easily and adding effects to the camera | [[File:PCG-C1XN.jpg|thumb|PCG-C1XE with PCGA-CD51 CD drive]] | ||
The Second revision of the Sony VAIO PCG-C1 were released between late 1999 and early 2000. Their main improvements from the earlier generation were the stereo speakers built-in the keyboard, and the ability to create 360 degrees panorama pictures thanks to the camera and a bundled software, called "PictureGear". There is a "capture" button located above the keyboard on the right which is optimal for taking pictures outside, without using the keyboard. It came with some bundled software such as the Camera Capture Utility which allowed for taking pictures easily and adding effects to the camera. To the left of the Motion Eye, there is a microphone. | |||
This revision had seen a major redesign over the first one, both externally and internally. The MotionEye camera now had a more metal-like design; some of the indicator lights were moved to the top of the keyboard and some to the front of the bottom shell; stereo speakers were added instead of one mono speaker; the battery was now placed directly under the screen, and the bottom bezel was reduced in thickness; power button on the top part of the keyboard was now used instead of a latch on the left side of the bottom shell; Jog Dial was introduced; placement of internal components was adjusted; the PPK button was removed. | |||
Starting from second revision, all PCG-C1 models are opened just by pulling the lid upwards instead of a latch used in the first revision. | |||
Another evolution from the first generation was related to accessories: many were available, including double and quad-capacity batteries and an external CD-ROM drive. | Another evolution from the first generation was related to accessories: many were available, including double and quad-capacity batteries and an external CD-ROM drive. | ||
Depending on the model, they were equipped with different Intel processors, ranging from the Celeron to the Pentium 2. | Depending on the model, they were equipped with different Intel processors, ranging from the Celeron to the Pentium 2. | ||
The Intel Pentium and Microsoft Windows stickers were affixed beside the top right corner of the screen. The laptop itself had a purple color with slightly lighter purple buttons. Unlike the original C1 which used a regular Sony 16V power jack, the second revision and onwards used a proprietary 16V power connector, which only works with a handful of chargers that are quite hard to get. They also included a lot of ports: modem, one USB, PCMCIA card slot, i.Link, headphone, microphone, infrared and a proprietary display signal port which used an adapter to support VGA. | |||
The Intel Pentium and Microsoft Windows stickers were affixed beside the top | |||
The laptop came bundled with a charger, a CD-ROM drive (depending on configuration), floppy drive, VGA adapter cable, phone cable, spare pointing nubs, USB cable for the floppy drive and a battery. | The laptop came bundled with a charger, a CD-ROM drive (depending on configuration), floppy drive, VGA adapter cable, phone cable, spare pointing nubs, USB cable for the floppy drive and a battery. | ||
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'''Graphics:''' NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV (NM2200) with 2.5 MB VRAM | '''Graphics:''' NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV (NM2200) with 2.5 MB VRAM | ||
'''Chipset''': Intel 430TX | |||
'''Memory:''' 64MB (Standard), 128MB (Official maximum) | '''Memory:''' 64MB (Standard), 128MB (Official maximum) | ||
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As with a lot of old laptops, this laptop has the problem of melting rubber feet. There is no proper solution, apart from 3D-Printing the feet with TPU plastic. The STL can be found under the "Resources" tab. | As with a lot of old laptops, this laptop has the problem of melting rubber feet. There is no proper solution, apart from 3D-Printing the feet with TPU plastic. The STL can be found under the "Resources" tab. | ||
==Daily Usage Today== | ==Daily Usage Today== | ||
The PCG-C1X is definitely still usable today for basic office tasks like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. Retro gaming is possible, but with a very limited selection of games. Taking pictures with is would be fun and creative, with the nice rotating camera. The resolution is definitely not good by today's standards but it is fine to take some nice pictures, especially with the 360° panorama photo software. Any modern tasks like web browsing are pretty much impossible on this laptop, with the exception of very basic static HTML pages with no or very low resolution images. | The PCG-C1X* is definitely still usable today for very basic office tasks like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. Retro gaming is possible, but with a very limited selection of games, due to the limited NeoMagic graphics. DOS gaming would perform well, however the video card does suffer from some compatibility issues. Taking pictures with is would be fun and creative, with the nice rotating camera. The resolution is definitely not good by today's standards but it is fine to take some nice pictures, especially with the 360° panorama photo software. Any modern tasks like web browsing are pretty much impossible on this laptop, with the exception of very basic static HTML pages with no or very low resolution images. | ||
==Resources== | ==Resources== | ||
==Downloads== | ==Downloads== | ||
[https://archive.org/details/vaio-pcg-c-1-xn-product-recovery PCG-C1XN Recovery] | |||
==Credits== | ==Credits== | ||
[https://sony.com/ Sony] | [https://sony.com/ Sony] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:15, 9 December 2024
Overview
The Second revision of the Sony VAIO PCG-C1 were released between late 1999 and early 2000. Their main improvements from the earlier generation were the stereo speakers built-in the keyboard, and the ability to create 360 degrees panorama pictures thanks to the camera and a bundled software, called "PictureGear". There is a "capture" button located above the keyboard on the right which is optimal for taking pictures outside, without using the keyboard. It came with some bundled software such as the Camera Capture Utility which allowed for taking pictures easily and adding effects to the camera. To the left of the Motion Eye, there is a microphone.
This revision had seen a major redesign over the first one, both externally and internally. The MotionEye camera now had a more metal-like design; some of the indicator lights were moved to the top of the keyboard and some to the front of the bottom shell; stereo speakers were added instead of one mono speaker; the battery was now placed directly under the screen, and the bottom bezel was reduced in thickness; power button on the top part of the keyboard was now used instead of a latch on the left side of the bottom shell; Jog Dial was introduced; placement of internal components was adjusted; the PPK button was removed.
Starting from second revision, all PCG-C1 models are opened just by pulling the lid upwards instead of a latch used in the first revision.
Another evolution from the first generation was related to accessories: many were available, including double and quad-capacity batteries and an external CD-ROM drive.
Depending on the model, they were equipped with different Intel processors, ranging from the Celeron to the Pentium 2.
The Intel Pentium and Microsoft Windows stickers were affixed beside the top right corner of the screen. The laptop itself had a purple color with slightly lighter purple buttons. Unlike the original C1 which used a regular Sony 16V power jack, the second revision and onwards used a proprietary 16V power connector, which only works with a handful of chargers that are quite hard to get. They also included a lot of ports: modem, one USB, PCMCIA card slot, i.Link, headphone, microphone, infrared and a proprietary display signal port which used an adapter to support VGA.
The laptop came bundled with a charger, a CD-ROM drive (depending on configuration), floppy drive, VGA adapter cable, phone cable, spare pointing nubs, USB cable for the floppy drive and a battery.
The versions ranged from the earlier "PCG-C1XE" from late 1999 to the "XN" and "XS" from January 2000, which had two versions with German and Japan localization (resp. the "XD" and "XG/BP") based on the "XS".
Detailed Specs
Processor: Intel Celeron 233MHz (PCG-C1XN), Intel Pentium 2 266MHz (PCG-C1XE), Pentium 2 400MHz (PCG-C1XS, XD, XG/BP)
Graphics: NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV (NM2200) with 2.5 MB VRAM
Chipset: Intel 430TX
Memory: 64MB (Standard), 128MB (Official maximum)
Display: 8.9” TFT LCD XGA 1024×480
Storage: 8.1GB IDE HDD (PCG-C1XE), 12GB IDE HDD (PCG-C1XN, XS, XD, XG/BP)
Weight: 1.0kg (with standard battery)
MSRP: ~€2100
Problems
A problem with this series and many other older ones is the so called "vinegar syndrome", which happens when the polarizer film from the LCD breaks down. This causes some nasty looking effects on the display, as well as a vinegar smell, hence the name "vinegar syndrome".
To fix this, you must replace the damaged polarizer film with a new one. A video and polarizer replacement is linked in the Resources tab.
As with a lot of old laptops, this laptop has the problem of melting rubber feet. There is no proper solution, apart from 3D-Printing the feet with TPU plastic. The STL can be found under the "Resources" tab.
Daily Usage Today
The PCG-C1X* is definitely still usable today for very basic office tasks like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. Retro gaming is possible, but with a very limited selection of games, due to the limited NeoMagic graphics. DOS gaming would perform well, however the video card does suffer from some compatibility issues. Taking pictures with is would be fun and creative, with the nice rotating camera. The resolution is definitely not good by today's standards but it is fine to take some nice pictures, especially with the 360° panorama photo software. Any modern tasks like web browsing are pretty much impossible on this laptop, with the exception of very basic static HTML pages with no or very low resolution images.