Sony VAIO PCG-R505GL Laptop (1.2 GHz Pentium III-M, 256 MB SDRAM, 30 GB hard drive

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [1.74mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006LK6Q
• Item model number: PCG-R505GL
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 13, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Some people are confirmed homebodies. Others answer the call of the road and travel light. For those who avoid full-time commitment to either mode of existence, there’s the Sony Vaio PCG-R505GL SuperSlim Pro notebook PC. At 4.3 pounds and about 1.3 inches thick, the R505GL offers a versatile blend of ultramobility and convenient all-in-one functionality when coupled with its included SlimDock docking station.

A 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium III-M processor provides high-performance power for a full range of productivity and multimedia software. A 30 GB hard drive offers ample data storage capacity, while 256 MB of RAM--expandable to 384 MB--ensures optimal performance for running multiple applications simultaneously.

The docking station includes a DVD/CD-RW combination drive (24x/16x/10x CD-RW, 8x DVD) that enables users to view movies on DVD and burn DVD videos disks, listen to and burn CDs, and rapidly back up data.

A 12.1-inch XGA active-matrix TFT display and 32 MB of RAM offer sharp, bright images. An integrated 10/100Base-TX Ethernet LAN connector supports networking. The notebook includes a FireWire interface for high-speed digital video, audio, and data transfers, one Type II PC Card slot, two USB ports, a VGA interface, and an RJ-11 jack for the built-in V.92 modem.

Also included is a Memory Stick media slot for transferring data among compatible Sony products, and a Jog Dial control with a back button to simplify Web browsing and application controls. The notebook’s standard lithium-ion battery offers an estimated 4.5-hour run time, and an optional double-capacity battery offers up to 9 hours operation on a single charge.

Installed software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Corel WordPerfect Office, Quicken 2002, InterVideo WinDVD 2000, and Trend Micro PC-cillin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid laptop with solid specs, November 17, 2002

By 

Alex T. Ching "SCtud" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-R505GL Laptop (1.2 GHz Pentium III-M, 256 MB SDRAM, 30 GB hard drive (Personal Computers)

Purchased this laptop at Best Buy (which I highly recommend against doing). Best Buy charges a 15% restocking fee if you choose to return this laptop within their 14 day limit the second you swiped your card. (Plus they are...more expensive than Amazon's price mainly due to sales tax)

I would not be too afraid of Sony's build quality as they have pretty high QC standards and almost never let a defective product reach their customer. This means a very low likelihood of receiving a screen with dead pixels (a problem I consistently have with Dell).

I was a bit confused with all of Sony's model #s for the R505 SuperSlim Pro series, but they are all basically the same with slightly different specs.

I will tell you the benefits of buying a Sony vs the cons.

Pros
1) Sony has the best LCD screens hands down. The contrast and viewing angles are MUCH better than any other laptop screen I've seen. Brightness is not a problem (if you have it on max).
2)Build quality is excellent. Does not feel flimsy at all, although the battery is not rock solid in the hinges it slides into.
3) Firewire and two USBs (not usb 2.0 though).
4) Docking station works great, although it makes it pretty much totally not portable anymore.
5) Relatively quiet. Fan is barely inaudible if it is on, and doesn't burn the skin like other laptops I've used.

Cons
1) Buttons for the touchpad are pretty small and hard to hit. Not as good as Dell's.
2) Maximum memory is listed at 384 MB. There are currently two 128 MB chips in with only one of them being user accessible. I put in a 512MB crucial chip and it worked fine (so far.. knock on wood). Not sure why Sony lists this limit if it works this way, but 384 max is just way too low (for the memory hog that Windows XP is).
3) Sony's accessories are PRICY. I would recommend against buying this laptop if you need any of them. They do not have the proper cost benefit in my opinion.
4) No IR port! I don't nee this, but I'm sure others might (and I may need it in the future).
5) Sucker is big compared to the newer laptops out there, although it still falls in the extremely portable category.
6) VERY weak warranty. Hopefully these things are made to last. I will be taking immaculate care of mine.
7) As the other reviewer noted, the laptop underneath where your wrists go does get awfully warm, though not burning to the touch.

Although there are lots of cons to the review, the laptop works great. If you got the $$, this is a great laptop to get. It is pretty speedy with the extra memory and I would highly advise getting the most you can (although I cannot guarantee going over Sony's listed max). Pretty solid so far with only one crash (not exactly sure how).

Final note - Don't buy this for playing games as the graphics card is way too weak and that is not what this is made for. Pixel interpolation on XGA res is pretty poor for converting VGA to XGA too.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great computer, modest caveats, December 21, 2002

By 

Eric Antonow (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-R505GL Laptop (1.2 GHz Pentium III-M, 256 MB SDRAM, 30 GB hard drive (Personal Computers)

I've had it's cousin the Z505 for 2+ years and am upgrading to this model without reservation. I've used it about 50% of my waking life since then, including over 200 plane flights, a handful of low impact drops, hundreds of battery recharges, and general but good-hearted neglect. Not a single problem.

If people this this is a less than serious machine because it is a Sony (and not a Dell, HP or other 'computer' brand), they're wrong. Prior to this I'd gone through a number of ultraportables, all with substantive issues.

I only have one complaint. Everyone lies about battery life, and Sony is on par with their competition if not notably ahead in this dubious category. If you want this to handle a full coast-to-coast flight or a good DVD, buy the double capacity battery. With a Sony, they are brutally expensive and they shouldn't be.

Otherwise they are study, very full featured, and priced competitively.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for student use, October 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCG-R505GL Laptop (1.2 GHz Pentium III-M, 256 MB SDRAM, 30 GB hard drive (Personal Computers)

This laptop is perfect for student use. I am a college student, and it is light and small enough that I can easily carry it to and from classes, and it is nice to have the removable drive to leave that extra weight at home if I don't need it. I have had NO problems with it, unlike every other computer I have owned. The only thing that might be a concern is the size of the screen at 12.1", its a little small. Some people might find it too small, but it doesn't bother me at all. I highly recommend this laptop for students and those that plan to travel often with the laptop.