PCG-GR

Overview

The Sony VAIO PCG-GR was a high-end multimedia focused desktop replacement laptop launched by Sony in the year 2002. The GR variant of the GR Series can be considered a more portable device compared to the GRX and GRT. It is a GRZ/GRS but with slightly older internal components in order to have a lower price point.

With its size of 32.5 cm by 26.9 cm by 3.8 cm (12.8 by 10.6 by 1.5 inches) and weight of up to 4.1 kg (9.1 pounds), it is clear that the PCG-GR was designed to be stationary. However, they offered average battery life, lasting 2.5 to 3.5 hours (one battery), or 5 to 7 hours (two batteries). These are marketing numbers from Sony, which should be taken with a pinch of salt.

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

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 GR 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 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 desktop replacement was available in two choices of screen size: 14.1" or 15.1". Depending on the buyers' choice, this VAIO was shipped with an 8MB or 16MB ATI Mobility Radeon GPU. This was paired with a range of Desktop Pentium IIIs, ranging from 866MHz to 1130MHz and a choice between 128MB and 256MB DDR-SDRAM, with the possibility of upgrading to 512MB of memory. This makes the PCG-GR a pretty powerful laptop for it's time.

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

Detailed Specs

Processor: Intel Pentium III 866, 933 or 1130 MHz

Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 8MB or 16MB

Display: 14.1" XGA or SXGA+ TFT | 15.1" active-matrix

RAM: DDR SDRAM (upgradable up to 512MB)

Storage: 2.5" IDE

OS: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

Weight: 2.88 kg

Operating Humidity: 20% to 80% (not condensed), provided that humidity is less than 65% at +35°C

Daily Usage Today

Today the PCG-GR 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.