VGN-G

Overview

Going into the year 2007 Sony launched the VAIO VGN-G Series as a ultraportable Subnotebook. With a bright 12,1", 4:3 display and 8,5 hours of battery life, it was targeted at Businessmen and -women, who need a small and lightweight maschine that could last a few hours on e.g. a train ride. The VGN-G series achived this by utilizing a high quality case with carbonfibre parts that increased its strength. In addition to that the Notebook was equipped with motion sensors that could detect rapid acceration to turn off the Hard Drive in order to prevent damage or data loss. Depending on optinal extras the VGN-G could weight between 1,1 and 1,2 kg. This made it small and light enough to fit in any regular briefcase.

Sadly, this portability came at the cost of low performance. While the U-series Core 2 Duo and -Solo used minimal energy, they werent very powerfull. In combination with only 1 GB of memory and the Intel GMA 950 iGPU the VGN-G Series was just able to run office and productivity applications, leaving no headroom for 3D-accerated games or graphics programms. Being sold with Windows XP professional ment that more resources could go to the users applications, instead of the operating system. Another big downside was lack in connectivity. Comming with a DL-DVD-Burner, 300 Mbps Wifi, 1 Gbps Ethernet, a Modem, two USB 2.0 ports, Bluetooth and a VGA port. Equippment like a Webcam and HDMI port were not available. Though, as common with Sony Laptops, a fingerprintsensor and ExpansionCard slot could be had on the VGN-G series.

In conclusion the Sony VAIO VGN-G was an excelent lightweight laptop which excelled in mobile work, while sacreficing performance and connectivity to do so. This meant that most of these laptops where mostly sold to business which could spare the ~1800€ MSRP.

Detailed Specs

Processor: Intel Core 2 U7500, Intel Core Solo U1500

Graphics: Intel GMA 950

Display: 12,1", 4:3, 1024 x 768

RAM: 1 GB DDR2

Storage: 100GB 2,5" HDD

OS: Windows XP Professional

Weight: 1,1 - 1,2 kg

MSRP: 1800 Euro

Daily Usage Today

With the increase of resources modern programms use, using the VGN-G could be difficult. Though upgrading the Ram and installing an SSD, as well as using Linux with a lightweight desktop enviorment, can be done to increase its usability. If done this laptop can still prove to be a nice work maschine while you are on the go. But keep in mind that the original batteries have lost capacity over the years and you probably wont see 8 hours of battery, especially with the more resouce-eating modern programms and operating systems.

Resources

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Downloads

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Sources

Chip and Notebookcheck