Hardware specifications at introduction were a 200 MHz ($2000) or 266 MHz ($2700) Pentium MMX CPU, 32 MB RAM, a 2.1 GB hard drive, 10.4" SVGA (800x600) screen, integrated sound, modem, speakers, microphone, PC-Card slot, and optional firewire port.
In addition to the 10.4" models, a 12.1" 505 Superslim Pro was introduced in April 1999, weighing 3.75 lbs (1.7 kg), and featuring 1024x768 screen.
Starting from the R505 revision (2001), the laptops were supplied with a docking station with integrated CDRW/DVD drive.
Connectivity was provided by a Fast Ethernet port, unlike previous models, no modem was included, and neither was 802.11 wireless or bluetooth.
The Sony VAIO X series, launched in 2009, had many design similarities with this product, although an Intel Atom-series processor was used.