PCG-U: Difference between revisions
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== Daily Usage Today == | == Daily Usage Today == | ||
Even though they were pretty interesting machines for their size, all PCG-U models have little to no practical use nowadays. The CPU (especially Transmeta Crusoe found in PCG-U1 and PCG-U3) is far too slow to keep up with modern tasks, and RAM size doesn't allow for comfortable multitasking. The 1.8" HDD is also quite slow (it uses the same compact IDE interface as Apple's iPods, so spares are easy and cheap to find, as well as flash modding solutions, however even if you manage to install a fast drive, you'll still be limited by low bus speed). The slow keyboard and the fact that it's designed to be held like a handheld makes it hard for office use without external keyboard and mouse as well. However, you still can do very basic web browsing, but it is not going to be a very snappy experience. | |||
However, PCG-U series is sought after by the collectors due to their unique CPUs (PCG-U1 and PCG-U3), very small footprint for the time of their release and appealing look. The fact that there were not many units produced and that PCG-U was only sold in Japan means that nowadays it's a quite rare item, and the prices have gone up pretty high. | |||
== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
[https://archive.org/details/sony-vaio-pcg-u1-recovery-discs PCG-U1 Recovery CDs] | |||
[https://archive.org/details/sony-vaio-pcg-u-1-windows-xp-japanese-oem-image PCG-U1 Hard Drive dump] | |||
[https://archive.org/details/sony-pcg-u-1-drivers PCG-U1 English drivers] | |||
[https://archive.org/details/sony-vaio-pcg-u-3-drivers-backup-cd/ PCG-U3 Recovery CDs] | |||
[https://archive.org/details/sonyvaiopcgu101 PCG-U101 Recovery CDs] | |||
== Credits == | == Credits == | ||
[https://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/ The Gadgeteer] | [https://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/ The Gadgeteer] | ||
Revision as of 13:51, 31 July 2024
This page is currently WIP!
Overview
The Sony VAIO PCG-U was a line of ultraportable subnotebooks sold by Sony from October 2002 to circa May 2004. All models in the line were never officially sold outside Japan.
The first model, PCG-U1, was officially released on October 26, 2002. The higher-spec model, PCG-U3, was released in the same month. The final model, PCG-U101, was released in May of 2003.
Despite the PCG-U1 and PCG-U3 both having considerably higher clock speeds than the PCG-U101, they are both far, far slower than the PCG-U101. The Intel Celeron M completely sweeps the floor with them due to being an actual X86 CPU instead of emulating one, like the Transmeta Crusoe does. The U3 has more cache than the U1, leading to a big gain in performance due to ore room for the CPU to emulate the X86 architecture.
PCG-U1/U3
PCG-U101
Detailed Specs
There was a total of three models in the PCG-U lineup. The PCG-U1 and U3 both share the same design, apart from the fact that the U1 is white and the U3 is black. The U3 was just an upgraded higher-specced and better looking U1 with a faster CPU and more RAM.
PCG-U1
Processor: Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 867 MHz
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon M6 with 8 MB VRAM
Memory: 128MB
Display: 6.4" 1024×768
Storage: 20 GB 1.8-inch IDE HDD
Weight: 860g
MSRP: ¥150,000
PCG-U3
Processor: Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 933 MHz
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon M6 with 8 MB VRAM
Memory: 256MB
Display: 6.4" 1024×768
Storage: 20 GB 1.8-inch IDE HDD
Weight: 860g
MSRP: ¥150,000
PCG-U101
Processor: Intel Celeron M 600 MHz
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon M6 with 8 MB VRAM
Memory: 256MB
Display: 7.1" 1024×768
Storage: 30 GB 1.8-inch IDE HDD
Weight: 880g
MSRP: ¥160,000
Daily Usage Today
Even though they were pretty interesting machines for their size, all PCG-U models have little to no practical use nowadays. The CPU (especially Transmeta Crusoe found in PCG-U1 and PCG-U3) is far too slow to keep up with modern tasks, and RAM size doesn't allow for comfortable multitasking. The 1.8" HDD is also quite slow (it uses the same compact IDE interface as Apple's iPods, so spares are easy and cheap to find, as well as flash modding solutions, however even if you manage to install a fast drive, you'll still be limited by low bus speed). The slow keyboard and the fact that it's designed to be held like a handheld makes it hard for office use without external keyboard and mouse as well. However, you still can do very basic web browsing, but it is not going to be a very snappy experience.
However, PCG-U series is sought after by the collectors due to their unique CPUs (PCG-U1 and PCG-U3), very small footprint for the time of their release and appealing look. The fact that there were not many units produced and that PCG-U was only sold in Japan means that nowadays it's a quite rare item, and the prices have gone up pretty high.