This is a guide to running Linux with the Sony VAIO VGN-TXN series laptop. This is a very small laptop with some good internal specifications.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
| Name | Sony VAIO VGN-TXN Series |
| Processor | Intel Core Solo U1400 1.2GHz (1.33GHz in TXN27N) |
| Screen | 11.1” WXGA |
| RAM | 1GB (2GB in TXN27N) |
| HDD | 80GB (100 in TXN27N) |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 |
| Card Reader | Texas Instruments 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD) |
| Network | 10/100 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11a/b/g Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Fingerprint Reader | 0483:2016 SGS Thomson Microelectronics Fingerprint Reader |
| Other | 2 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 module |
| Bluetooth | Not Tested | |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Not Tested | |
| Card Reader | Yes | Use tifm_sd, listed “experimental” in 2.6.22 |
| PCMCIA | Yes | |
| Fingerprint Reader | No | Drivers exist, but Sony used custom firmware |
The VGN-TXN's screen uses a native resolution of 1366×768 but because of how the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 functions this resolution would need to be configured first with the 915reolution tool. You can see how to do this by following our Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide.
Unfortunately, most of the special buttons are software controlled, so scripting is needed to make use of the volume/mute, wireless mode, screen brightness, and VGA-out butons.
This small size laptop works really well with Linux. The Sony VAIO VGN-TXN was able to install Linux easily with only some minor setup work required.
Discussion
Everything works absolutely perfect! (Exept the finger print reader - don't need it)
In fact, my Sony TXN15P got “second life” after long time suffering with “slow death” onboard Windows XP.
Ubuntu 11.10 is runnung really FAST on it!
Highly reccomended!