I need to pimp a Vaio VGN-TX, any ideas?

[corksil]

Hey all, I am about to buy a Sony VAIO VGN-TX series notebook. (The little one.)

The one I am buying comes with the following specs...

CPU: Intel Pentium M Processor (Ultra Low Voltage) 753 @ 1.20GHz, 2MB L2 Cache (400Mhz FSB)
RAM: 512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR2 (512 MB x 1) (Expandable to 1.5GB)
HDD: 80GB (4200rpm) Ultra ATA
GFX: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 - 128MB dynamically allocated shared RAM video memory
LCD: 11.1” WXGA display (1366x768) with XBRITE tech
LAN: Integrated Wifi B/G w/Bluetooth
DVD: Dual-Layer DVD Burner

Various: Cingular wireless allover internet antennae, couple USB ports, PCMCIA slot, 2.76lbs....

I am wondering how I can pimp this computer out, and I mean just that. I have owned many laptops and I am past the point of buying the powerful ones and trying to use them for games and the like. I understand that laptops are designed to be mobile, and using them for their intened purpose yields the most performance.

I'm already thinking of throwing in some more RAM, probably 1GB. Maybe a bigger HDD in the far future when the 80GB gets full. I will probably throw some graphics on it, maybe some stripes or something...

What I am wondering is what else I could do to get the most out of this computer? Hardware, software, mods, whatever?

[EzyStvy]

What will you be using the machine for?
The 4200rpm drive is a real bottle neck.

[thefultonhow]

On my PCG-TR1A, the hard drive was a 1.8" model, so if it's the same on the TX, 4200 rpm is the best you can get (as is 80 GB). You have to take apart Sonys to get to the hard drive anyway.

There's not much you can do above and beyond RAM that will affect performance. You could do a clean install of Windows but make sure you make the recovery discs first -- and Sony driver support for clean installs is extremely spotty.

[corksil]

Hey thanks for the replies. Yup I do have the 4200RPM hard-drive.

I examined my case, and appears that the hard-drive is inaccessable. I can get to the RAM as easy as pie, but the HDD hides. Yep, looks like more RAM down the road is the answer. I'd definitely have to examine the case more to establish an opinion, but I am pretty handy with electronics and I might be able to switch hard drives myself, should I score a bigger/faster one.

As far as graphics, I need to go get some more vinyl and see if I can come up with a design. I just got the machine yesterday, I am using it for basic internet, web-design, some photoshoping, GoLive, and email. I am going to try to learn PHP down the road, if I can find some time, and I might need to get a development enviroment for that. (Not sure if I need one, I don't know much about PHP.)

Thanks for the help guys.

[thefultonhow]

As I said, I doubt that you can upgrade the hard drive anyway as it's probably 1.8" and thus is maxed out already.