Vintage Sony VAIO PCG-C1VN PictureBook Laptop & Accessories
An interesting piece of early portable-computing history, featuring Sony’s compact widescreen PictureBook design, Transmeta Crusoe processor, and built-in rotating MOTION EYE camera. A distinctive addition to a vintage computer collection or restoration project.
Please read the testing notes below. This computer boots and performs several functions, but the motion eye camera has unresolved issues.
INCLUDED
• Sony VAIO PCG-C1VN PictureBook laptop
• One Sony PCGA-BP51 battery that powered the laptop during testing
• AC power adapter and power cord
• Sony PCGA-UMS1 USB ball mouse
• Sony VGA external-monitor adapter, untested
• Original Sony manual
• Sony PCGA-FD5 3.5-inch floppy drive, untested
• Sony Application Recovery CDs 1 and 2, version G11.0
• Microsoft Virtual Machine disc
• Product identification card with Certificate of Authenticity and product ID
The floppy drive has a proprietary connector that does not match the laptop’s exposed ports. It is included as an additional untested accessory; compatibility with this laptop is not represented.
SPECIFICATIONS OBSERVED
• Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition / Windows Me
• Transmeta Crusoe processor
• Windows reports 112MB RAM
• C: partition approximately 4.48GB
• D: partition approximately 6.72GB
• 1024 × 480 widescreen display
TESTING & CONDITION
The laptop booted into Windows Me and operated on both AC power and the included battery. Keyboard, pointing stick, left/right click buttons, speakers, and microphone recording/playback were tested and responded.
The built-in camera displayed a live preview and captured still images. Images remained grainy with a blue-gray color cast after adjusting settings. Changing the Windows display from 256 colors improved the appearance of captured images, but did not resolve the color issue.
The included battery powered the computer during testing, but full runtime and remaining capacity have not been established or guaranteed.
Shows cosmetic wear from age and use. Please review photographs carefully. Testing was limited to the functions described; this is not a fully tested or refurbished computer.
Recovery/application discs are included as physical media. Their readability and successful installation have not been verified.
The boot up sequence takes about a minute and 15 seconds. The video was paused a few times during bootup due to ’s one minute allowance for video.
I rebooted this computer shut it down started it again several times and two or three times it did freeze up, but it was remedied by doing a hard restart with the power button and rebooted properly with no issues. I do not know the cause of this and I did not try to perform any maintenance or diagnosis of the system.
The rubber feet on the underside have deteriorated with age and can leave black marks on surfaces or clothing. Replacement is recommended before placing the laptop on fabric or easily marked surfaces.
A collectible vintage computer for someone familiar with older hardware and Windows software.
Ships from USA within 1 business day. 30-day domestic returns.
