PCG-QR3

Overview

The Sony VAIO PCG-QR3 was a mid-range, multimedia-oriented and design-centric laptop computer sold by Sony only in Japan around 2001.

PCG-QR3 Back

The main peculiarity of the QR3 are the two surprisingly high quality detachable speakers placed at the left and right of the screen. The QR3, like the QR1, was designed to stand out when compared to any other laptop at the time. The build is entirely plastic, and it's also harder to work on than most laptops of its time, since to access any component that isn't the modem card, you need to remove the whole bottom of the machine.

All QR3s were white, with a purple-greyish palmrest and screen bezel. The keys on the very clicky keyboard are shaped to resemble the keys on a typewriter, and the whole laptop generally oozes with "Y2k" industral design touches.

The QR3 was powered by a Mobile Intel Celeron clocked at 750MHz. It shipped with 128MB of RAM and either a 20, 30 or 40GB IDE HDD, all made by Hitachi.

PCG-QR3 with ear speakers

The QR3 is equipped with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM optical drive, a Memory Stick slot with MagicGate compatibility and two PCMCIA Type II slot. I/O includes two USB ports, an i.Link S400 (IEEE 1394/Apple FireWire 400 4-pin) port, two 3.5mm jacks (Audio-IN and Audio-OUT), an Ethernet port, a modem port and VGA-Out.

Interaction with Windows XP Home Edition happens through either the non-multitouch trackpad or although in a much more limited way, via the Jog Dial placed near the hinge on the right side.

Among the bundled software is possible to find classic Sony programs like SonicStage, on top of some So-Net (Sony's Japan-only ISP service) promotional material.

Detailed Specs

Processor: Intel Celeron 750Mz (Mobile)

Graphics: Intel 815EM

Memory: PC100, max 256MB, 2 slots

Storage: 40GB IDE Ultra ATA/100 HDD

Display: 13.3" XGA (1024x768) TFT LCD

OS: Windows XP Home Edition

Weight: around 2.7 kg

Problems

Repair listing on Yahoo! JAPAN Auctions

The QR Series, including the QR3, suffer from a power issue. The power IC chip, named "ADP3421" (can vary), tends to die after being used years after years.

Symptoms of this problem are:

no power at all
power and other LEDs lighting up for a few seconds

The solution for this problem is currently being checked by the VAIO Library team, and should be as simple as replacing that chip with a replacement from AliExpress.

Daily Usage Today

Today the QR3, almost like back in the day, is just a novelty item. It lacks any kind of usage, being woefully underpowered for tasks like retro gaming or video editing, the only thing it can do properly being text editing and other office tasks, with its wonderful keyboard.

It is only a collector's item, reason why prices outside Japan can be very steep, if you can find one for sale at all. With enough patience it's still possible to find some good deals in Japan.