vaio w dissected

13The Sony Vaio W is a nice looking netbook with one feature that really sets it apart from most other mini-laptops on the market: a higher resolution, 10.1 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display. The problem is that the netbook’s 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU and integrated graphics have to work a bit harder to pump out graphics to every corner of the screen than they would with a lower resolution display. And that means that some lower resolution netbooks might actually feel snappier than the Vaio W.

Of course, there are ways that you can improve the performance of virtually any netbook, such as upgrading the RAM and/or replacing the hard drive with a faster model or a solid state disk. One German Vaio W owner decided to do both of those things, and sent the pictures of his minor netbook surgery to NetbookNews.de.

It looks like the hard drive upgrade process is relatively simple. Sony put a single access panel on the base of the computer. All you need to do is unscrew the access panel and then remove the hard drive by undoing 4 mounting screws.

In order to upgrade the RAm, you need to pop off the keyboard by removing 3 more screws located on the base of the netbook. Once the keyboard is off, you should see the RAM near the lower left side. Just pop out the old module and replace it with up to 2GB of RAM. There’s no point in using any more memory than that, since the motherboard will only recognize up to of 2GB.

You can see more pictures at Netbook News.de (English translation)

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21 replies on “Sony Vaio W upgrade guide”

  1. Is this memory ” Transcend Laptop RAM Value 2GB 1333MHz DDR3″ suitable for my sony vaio VPCW12J1E?

  2. i really want to overclock this..ive done a lot of research but cannot seem to find the core clock generator number for thi specific model (VCPW126AG) anywhere. can anybody please help?

  3. hi!! i have been using sony net book (vpcw216ag) and i have 2 gb ram pre installed in it.. so can anyone tell me can i upgrade it to 4gb ram..ill be very thankful….

  4. THANK YOU VERY MUCH MAN! I have upgraded it too!!! Bought a kingston 800mhz and it now runs my ubuntu 10.10 even smoothier…. now i’m planning on a battery (to a 6-cell model) and a ssd upgrade (unfortunately the crucial c300 256gb i want is still very expensive, 500 bucks and even more here in brazil)…

    By the way, what ssd type should i use 1.8′ or 2.5′?

    cheers from brazil

  5. Has anyone tried to upgrade the X model ()VPCM111AX): it does not have that neat removable panel on the back???? Tx

  6. Hi, i just wanted to upgrade to but the keyboard didn´t want to move although i removed the 3 screws. Can somone help?

    1. Problem solved, there are 2 more screws under the battery…

      If i had known, i wouldn´t have nearly destroyed my keyboard…

      Have fun!

  7. hi, I bought Sony with model # VPCM11 series. want to upgrade to 2gb. went to a computer shop and told me that I need to check first before they will sell me the RAM. what is the compatible RAM for this series. Can anybody help me? Thanks a lot Charleze

  8. had a hard time looking for a 2gb 667Mhz ram… can i use 800Mhz instead? what might be the effect if any? thanks in advance!

    1. You have to use 800Mhz, it is really cheapper if you compare with 667Mhz. Mother Board adapt speed from 800Mhz to 667 original Mhz. No worries, work 100% perfect.

      Regards.

      Raul – Spain

  9. Are you sure that Vaio W series can upgrade to 2Gb of RAM?

    I have it one, but datasheet told that only can upgrade to 1Gb RAM.

    If I can uograde to 2Gb I’ll be really happy!

    1. It can be upgrade to 2 Gb, I had done it for my Vaio W and it works perfect.

      1. Great, really thanks

        I bought one for Xmas, and bought 2Gb too.

        I’ll install next week on Xmas.

        😉

        1. Does your Vaio work with 2Gb RAM? I do want to buy one in these days but I need to know if I can upgrade RAM to 2Gb…

          1. Yes it works with 2Gb RAM. I had made the upgrade 2 wk ago and was perfect. If you want I can send you a print screen but I need your e-mail.

          2. hi can you send me info on how i can upgrade the ram of my vaio w?? many thanks

          3. I updated my Sony W series without problem with 2Gb DIMM 800Mhz.

            You must to unmount batery and take out keyboard, DIMM slot is just below keyboard.

            Now it run really well.

            Regards.

          4. YOU ARE THE GREATEST!! I JUST BOUGHT SONY VAIO VPCW12J1E AND INSTALLED A 2 GB MEMORY KINGSTON MODULE KVR667D2/GR AND WORKS FIIIIIIINEEEEE!!!! 🙂

          5. Enjoy it.

            I have it with 2Gb and I’m enjoying every day.

            Fuck Sony, they would like to pay more money for the same laptop but with more RAM and more processor. We would like to enjoy with less processor, more RAM and less money.

            😉

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