PCG-GRT

Overview

A 16" PCG-GRT

The Sony VAIO PCG-GRT Series was a high-end multimedia focused desktop replacement laptop launched by Sony in the year 2002. With the GRT variant of the GR Series Sony laid its focus on perforrmance with higher clocked Pentium 4s and the Nvidia Geforce FX Go 5600.

With its size of 35.8 by 30.2 by 2.8 cm (14.1 by 11.9 by 1.9 inches) and weight of up to 4.8kg (~10 pounds), it is clear that the PCG-GRT 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. Compared to its brothers in the GR-Series, the PCG-GRT features the highest performance, but also the heaviest weight, lowest battery life and loudest fan noise. It can be considert the highest-end PCG-GR Vaio.

As all high-end VAIO laptops, the PCG-GRT was very well built, though only out of plastic. The keyboard is good enough to type on it for hours, and the absolutely killer UXGA screens were unlike anything else on the market at the time.

A 15" PCG-GRT, evidenced by the edge-to-edge keyboard

Thanks to its size, the GRT was able to pack a lot of features such as a choice of a CD-RW/DVD-ROM or a DVD+-RW, dedicated volume and TV-control keys, FireWire, S-Video and AV input, CHF/UHF input, a single PC Card slot and a Memory Stick slot. The ports on the backside include a NTSC video-out, an 10/100 Ethernet port, a 56Kbps Modem, as well as microphone and headphone connectors and 3 USB 2.0 ports. The PCG-GRT was also able to receive, record and save TV programs, storing them on a choice of 40, 60 or 80GB HDDs.

The desktop replacement was available in two choices of screen size: 15" or 16.1". Depending on the buyers' choice, this VAIO was shipped with a Nvidia GeForce 420 Go in the 15" version, and with a more powerful Nvidia GeForce FX Go 5600 in the 16.1" one. The screen size could be optioned out between the smallest 1024x768 to the biggest 1600x1200 panel. This was paired up with a range of either desktop Pentium 4s, mobile Pentium 4s or a mobile Celeron and a choice between 256MB, 512MB, or even 1GB of DDR-SDRAM memory, making the PCG-GRT a very powerful laptop for it's time.

Buyers' choice of operating system was either Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows 2000. Together with the OS also came a plethora of multimedia applications, including PictureGear Studio, Giga Pocket (used for TV recording), SonicStage and DVGate.

Detailed Specs

Processor: Northwood Pentium 4 (2.4, 2.66, 2.8 GHz) | Mobile Pentium 4 (2.2, 2.4, 2.6 Ghz) | Mobile Celeron (2.0 Ghz)

Graphics: Nvidia Geforce 420 Go 32MB | Nvidia Geforce FX Go 5600 64MB

Display: 15": 1024x768 | 16.1": 1400x1050 (SXGA+), 1600x1200 (UXGA)

RAM: up to 1GB of DDR-SDRAM, 2 RAM slots

Storage: 2.5" IDE

OS: Windows XP Home / Professional, Windows 2000

Weight: 4,8 kg (~10 pounds)

Daily Usage Today

Today, the PCG-GRT 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.