Sony VAIO PCG-GRV680 Laptop (2.60-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB Hard Drive)

I have yet to try to install Linux on it. Seems like there's not much information about it's compatibility, and some devices are unlikely to work, like the modem and power management, but driver support for Sony is coming along nicely.

Weight and battery life are issues to consider: if you're looking for a laptop you can use comfortably on a long flight, forget it unless you buy a power port adapter - on mine, batteries last for around an hour and a half with normal use.


Fast Pig, Great for the uncertain Desktop Convert   May 15, 2003
J. Schiffer (brooklyn)
14 out of 19 found this review helpful

This thing is fast, its Gigantic, its Hot, its a desktop processor with a laptop fan, Its loudish, and its not super portable.
Why is this good? Because it acts like a desktop too. If you have it plugged in and want all of the performance, youll have it. If you want to bring it somewhere, and plug it in, youll have it. If you want to roam in the park, unfettered by worldly concerns, specifically wifi and plugs, you dont got it.
The software package is interesting, but weird, all sony all the time, but you can change that, from all that software left on your desktop.
If you have any question about the desktop replacement computer, see this machine, it defines the genre.


Sony VAIO PCG-GRV670 Notebook(2.6 P4,512 RAM,40GB)   May 9, 2003
1 out of 10 found this review helpful

I must apologize,I gave the 'Sony VAIO PCG-GRV670 Notebook' a bad review. I just got a replacement,and guess what? It can play hard core games like 'Medieval: Total War','Shogun: Total War'. I really feel bad about the review,but please,buy this 'Laptop',you'll never need a 'desktop' again. All I can say is the 'Sony VAIO PCG-GRV670 Notebook'(Windows XP Home Edition),'Intel P4 2.6GHz Processor w/400MHz,512MB DDR RAM Memory,40GB Harddrive,ATI Radeon 9000(64MB of dedicated video memory),8X DVD ROM Drive,will get you 'in' and 'out' of the 'Total War' game series with a smile on your face,I guarantee you that! On 'Medieval:Total War',I've played battles,campaigns,and etc.,no crashing and no freeze-ups,no problems period. With an SXGA 16' screen,you get superior screen resolution for those demanding 3-D games. Some helpful advise,don't upgrade your '512MB DDR RAM Memory',because these games can't handle that much memory,anything like '1024MB DDR RAM Memory' or higher will 'crash' the game,its just too much memory for those games. P.S., this 'Sony VAIO PCG-GRV670 Notebook' has an 'AV Output',means you can hook-up booming speakers (I-Trigue 2.1 3300-Creative) that will shake your house roof off,great 'laptop',ready for 'Rome:Total War'.....


An excellent compact, desktop, you can take with you.   April 26, 2003
C. McManis (Sunnyvale, CA USA)
71 out of 74 found this review helpful

The key to this machine is understanding what it is. It is a compact footprint desktop with a built in UPS. If you think of it that way you will be very happy with it. If you're out to buy a kick butt gaming laptop so that you can frag your way from Los Angeles to New York, don't get this machine.

This machine has a lot going for it, very nice 3D performance, very nice ergonomics, clear bright screen, zippy P4 performance, and you can burn your own DVDs on it. All very nice. Ports are somewhat limited (3 USB + ethernet + firewire + parallel and VGA) but you get back your serial port of you buy the port replicator. For a limited time Sony is giving away WiFi cards if you send them a copy of your reciept and serial #.

Sony now offers this notebook with WinXP pro (the GRV680P) and you should get that as its the same price ... and XP Pro gives you some nice server like features. The not so nice part is that clearly this machine will be orphaned quickly. I say this because soon the only laptops worth buying will have WiFi built in, systems without it will become like laptops without Ethernet two years ago.

The software was somewhat thrown together as well. The built in CD-burning application (drag & drop CD) works, but if you try to use the "built in" XP software for dealing with writable CD's it doesn't work. Other issues arise when you try to use it as a portable machine.

First, the machine draws 100 watts. That means you can't really power it from an airplane power socket without blowing the circuit breaker. Second, the second battery (needed if you want to have long run time) requires that you remove the DVD drive. That means no games while you are "mobile." However, if you get a piece of code that "emulates" a CDROM drive using a disk image on the hard drive you can get by, and the generous hard drive makes that practical. It also weighs a ton with two batteries in it so if you're going to do this get the Sony VAIO back pack to carry the thing. Holding it over your shoulder will give you back pains.

There is a slot for a memory stick. That's great if you're into memory sticks but of little use to those who have cameras with CF slots or USB disk drives.

All that being said, if you are someone who has a small home office, or a desk that you use for both writing and email. Or you are a student who wants to be able to use their computer in the library or the dorm without all the cabling hassle. This is the machine for you. It is completely capable of running all of todays applications (from games, to spreadsheets, to databases) and it offers excellent data storage capacity and connectivity. Like many (most?) portables today it does not come with a floppy but it will read/write CDR's and CD-RWs, as well as DVDs (send a video this year a christmas rather than a letter!) and the fact that everything was designed to work together means no annoying driver/motherboard/OS compatability issues to deal with.


Power Packed   April 5, 2003
sitechex-20 (TX, United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Power packed little PC - but bear in mind:

The bad:
XP HOME edition (not Pro)
Only 1 RAM slot.
Battery life not real long.

The good:
DVD burner included.
It's fast for a laptop.
It's real fast. :)