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VAIO PCG-C1 (Picturebook)

PCG-C1 · 1998–1999 · laptop

Specifications

Cpu: Intel Pentium MMX 233 MHz
Ram: max: 64 MB · base: 32 MB
Ports: USB 1.1 · i.LINK (FireWire) · PC Card Type II · IrDA infrared · headphone/mic · docking connector (for port replicator with floppy/serial/parallel)
Battery: removable Li-ion, roughly 2–2.5 hours
Display: 8.9" TFT, 1024×480 (wide letterbox format, unusual for the era)
Storage: base: 2.1 GB HDD · options: 4.3 GB HDD
Weight: 0.98 kg
Os Support: latest: Windows 98 (unofficial, widely reported to work) · shipped: Windows 95
Release Price: $2,000 (approximate, US launch configuration)

Upgrade paths

RAM

64 MB via the single accessible SO-DIMM slot · Base panel removal required; period-correct low-profile SO-DIMMs are hard to source now.

~$40

MODERATE

storage

Swap the internal 2.5" IDE HDD for a larger period drive or a CF-to-IDE adapter · Uses a standard 2.5" ATA interface; CF adapters are the common modern reliability fix collectors use.

~$50

MODERATE

battery

Original-spec removable Li-ion pack · OEM packs are long dead; aftermarket cells exist but capacity and fit vary.

~$40 (aftermarket)

HARD

ports

PC Card Type II slot accepts period wifi, ethernet, or storage cards · The only practical way to add networking beyond the built-in modem/IrDA.

~$20

EASY