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{{Infobox Specs | {{Infobox Specs | ||
| name = VGN-FJ | | name = VGN-FJ | ||
| image = | | image = A white Sony VAIO VGN-FJ.jpg | ||
| subtitle = Type F Light | | subtitle = Type F Light | ||
| series = Notebook | | series = Notebook | ||
| Line 20: | Line 19: | ||
The Sony VAIO VGN-FJ (aka. Type F Light) was 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 Sony VAIO VGN-FJ (aka. Type F Light) was 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.). | ||
[[File:Various casing colors in which the VGN-FJ was sold.jpg|alt=Various casing colors in which the VGN-FJ was sold|thumb|Various casing colors in which the VGN-FJ was sold]] | |||
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. | 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. | 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. | ||
[[File:VGN-FJ One of a few custom limited designs offered as part of the VAIO 10th ann. Edition.jpg|alt=One of a few custom limited designs offered as part of the VAIO 10th ann. Edition|thumb|One of a few custom limited designs offered as part of the VAIO 10th ann. Edition]] | |||
Initially targeted as a home and office-ready computer (FJ190), more capable models (FJ270/370) were then released and marketed to be 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 as the extra finishes were exclusive to the Japan-only 10th Anniversary limited edition, featuring bespoke lid art. The VGN-FJ series was later succeeded by the VGN-C series. | Initially targeted as a home and office-ready computer (FJ190), more capable models (FJ270/370) were then released and marketed to be 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 as the extra finishes were exclusive to the Japan-only 10th Anniversary limited edition, featuring bespoke lid art. The VGN-FJ series was later succeeded by the VGN-C series. | ||
== Daily Usage Today == | == Daily Usage Today == | ||
[[File:VGN-FJ lid view.jpg|alt=VGN-FJ lid view|thumb|VGN-FJ lid view]] | [[File:VGN-FJ lid view.jpg|alt=VGN-FJ lid view|thumb|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. | 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. | ||
Latest revision as of 22:34, 22 December 2025
Overview
The Sony VAIO VGN-FJ (aka. Type F Light) was 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 marketed to be 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 as the extra finishes were exclusive to the Japan-only 10th Anniversary limited edition, featuring bespoke lid art. The VGN-FJ series was later succeeded by the VGN-C series.
Daily Usage Today

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