PCG-GRX

Overview

The Sony VAIO PCG-GRX Series was a high-end multimedia focused desktop replacement laptop launched by Sony in the year 2002.

With its size of 35.5cm by 29.2cm by 3.8 cm b(13.9 by 11.4 by 1.5 inches) and weight of up around 3,8kg (8,28 lbs), it is clear that the PCG-GRX was designed to be stationary. This is also complimented by the rather small battery, lasting only 90 minutes, as reported by CNET. A second battery could be installed, making the quite unportable laptop a little bit more portable.

As all high-end VAIO laptops, the PCG-GRX was very well built, though only out of plastic. The keyboard is good enough to type on it for hours, and the magnificent UXGA screen on the higher-end models were a pleasure to look at.

Thanks to its size, the GR was able to pack a lot of features such as a DVD-RW, dedicated volume control keys, FireWire, S-Video and AV input 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. Unlike other PGR-GR Models, the GRX was not offered with any wireless connectivity, such as Wifi and Bluetooth. If needed those features can be added via the two Type II PC Card Slots

The desktop replacement was available in two choices of screen size: 15" or 16.1". The GPU offered in the PCG-GRX was the ATI Mobility RADEON 7500. This was paired with a range of Mobile Pentium 4s, ranging from 1.6GHz to 2.4GHz and a choice between 256MB, 512MB or 1GB DDR-SDRAM, with the possibility of upgrading to 1GB of memory, though some Models only support up to 512MB. This makes the PCG-GRX a pretty powerful laptop for it's time, especially considering the GPU, which was the most powerful offered in the PCG-GR Series

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

Detailed Specs

Processor: Intel Pentium 4-M 1,6GHz / 1,7GHz / 1,8GHz / 2GHz / 2,4GHz

Graphics: ATI Mobility RADEON 7500 (32MB)

Display: 15"" XGA (1024x768) 16.1" UXGA (1600x1200)

RAM: DDR-SODIMM up to 1GB (512 Depending on Model)

Storage: 2.5" IDE HDD 30GB / 40GB / 60GB

OS: Windows XP Professional / Windows 2000 Professional

Weight: 3,8kg (8,28 lbs)

Daily Usage Today

Today the PCG-GRX is definitely still usable, especially when paired with the newer Windows XP instead of Windows 2000. 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.

Downloads

Follow our guides to download and install drivers. Recovery discs are also available, and will be downloadable very soon.

Sources

Sony, icecat, zdnet and SpecsPro