PCG-GRZ/GRS

PCG-GRZ

Overview

The Sony VAIO PCG-GRZ (also known as PCG-GRS) was a high-end multimedia focused desktop replacement laptop launched by Sony in the year 2002. For the buyer that wanted more portability than the rest of the GR Series, the GRZ was the way to go. It is the more powerful version of the GR variant. It featured a smaller screen and case than the GRX and GRT, as well as less powerful hardware. This lowers the overall weight and size of the laptop thus increasing the portability of the usually quite unportable device.

With its 3.4kg weight, it is clear that the PCG-GRZ was designed to be stationary, yet slightly more portable for the occasional travels. However, they offered average battery life, lasting 1.5 to 2.5 hours (one battery), or 3 to 5 hours (two batteries). These are marketing numbers from Sony, which should be taken with a pinch of salt. In the GR Series lineup, the PCG-GRZ sits above the PCG-GRS with more powerful CPUs, but also worse screen.

As all high-end VAIO laptops, the PCG-GRZ was very well built, though only out of plastic. The keyboard is good enough to type on it for hours, though the 1024x768 XGA panel is a slight letdown when compared the the UXGA and SXGA+ screens offered on other PCG-GR Series models.

Some units included the iconic VAIO scroll wheel, which would control a piece of software. Unfortunately, it is very hard to get this software working without using the original installation of Windows.

Thanks to its size, the GRZ was able to pack a lot of features such as a choice of a DVD-ROM or CD-RW/DVD-ROM, dedicated volume control keys, FireWire, S-Video and AV input, a PC Card and a Memory Stick slot. The ports on the backside include a NTSC video-out, an 10/100 Ethernet port, as well as microphone and headphone connectors and 3 USB 2.0 ports.

The desktop replacement was available in 14.1" (PCG-GRS only) and 15" screen sizes, with the 32MB ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 as its GPU. This was paired with a range of Mobile Pentium 4 CPUs, ranging from 1.7GHz to 2.0GHz, or a Desktop Pentium 4 2.4GHz, and a choice between 256MB and 512MB DDR-SDRAM, with the possibility of upgrading to 1GB of memory. This makes the PCG-GRZ a pretty powerful laptop for it's time.

The PCG-GRZ came preinstalled with Windows XP Home, XP Professional, or even 2000 Professional. Together with the OS also came a plethora of multimedia applications, including SonicStage and DVGate.

Fun fact: PCG-GRZ models were made in France (at least some, we do not know if 100% of the production was in France).

Detailed Specs

Processor: Intel Pentium 4-M 1.7GHz / 1.8GHz / 2.0GHz | 4-D 2.4GHz

Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 32MB

Display: 14.1" (PCG-GRS only) or 15" XGA (1024 x 768)

RAM: DDR-SODIMM (up to 1GB)

Storage: 2.5" IDE

OS: Windows XP Home | Windows XP Professional | Windows 2000 Professional

Weight: 3.4kg

Daily Usage Today

Today the PCG-GRZ is definitely still usable. Thanks to its decent hardware, playing 3D games from around that time should be no problem. With software such as the MyPal web browser, light modern tasks should still be possible.

Resources

WIP

Downloads

Sony VAIO PCG-GRS System Recovery Discs

Sony VAIO PCG-GRS Application Recovery Discs

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. Recovery discs are also available, and will be downloadable very soon.

Sources

Sony, icecat and SpecsPro

Pictures: SpecsPro