Gizmodo: Vaio

Sony VAIO JS1 Series All-in-One is Audiophile Ready

Mark Wilson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:40:00 EDT

Sony's latest JS1 all-in-one is really a nice looking machine, but it's packing a lot of interesting tech as well. Packing a 20.1" 1680x1050 display, the Core2Duo system holds 3GB of memory and 500GB of storage. Audio plays through Dolby-based virtual surround sound and Sony’s integrated Sound Reality chip can record, edit and play back SA-CD music. You remember super audio CDs, right? The only slight disappointment was that the system has no optional Blu-ray integration, which would have been media overkill in the best way. No word on pricing or availability. Full specs:

VGN-JS1E/S
- Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E7200
- OS: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
- Memory: 3072MB (2048MB+1024MB)
- HDD: 500GB
- Others: WLAN 802.11b/g/Draft n & Camera
- Screen: 20.1” X-black LCD with multiple lamp technology, WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
- Optical: DVD±RW/±R DL/RAM
- Graphics: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD

VAIO JS1-Series

The VAIO JS1-Series all-in-one PC seems to offer buyers the impossible: it has a large, high-resolution screen, yet it takes up less desk space than most notebooks. It achieves this apparent contradiction by virtue of its sleek and stylish design. The compact keyboard can be slotted underneath the main unit when not in use, leaving only a modest footprint on the desk. Even when the keyboard is out, the JS1-Series takes up remarkably little room.

Despite its modest space requirements, the JS1’s main unit incorporates a generously sized 20.1-inch screen complete with multiple lamp technology for exceptional brightness. The display runs at 1680 x 1050 resolution, delivering a huge Windows workspace as well as an imposing widescreen presence when a movie is playing.

All this makes the VAIO JS1 an excellent choice for anyone wanting a rather special home PC. It looks good in almost any room, takes up surprisingly little space and offers an adventurous design a long way away from the standard desktop box. Internally there’s raw power for audio-visual applications thanks to the Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor, plus a performance-enhancing 3GB of memory and a roomy 500GB hard disk providing plenty of space for music, pictures and video.

While the large screen is ideal for photo editing, the JS1 also scores well when it comes to the audio side of things. Movie soundtracks are enhanced by Dolby Home Theatre® technology which creates an impressive virtual surround sound effect, and audiophiles can take advantage of the special features offered by Sony’s Sound Reality signal processor chip built into the system.

This can handle Super Audio CD (SA-CD), allowing the JS1 to record, edit and play music at SA-CD quality, and even upgrade older recordings to the new standard.

Sound Reality can up-convert conventional CD-quality music into uncompressed Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format. Using the pre-installed SonicStage Mastering Studio software, the DSD signal can be re-mastered into 5.1 Super Audio CD, revitalising the original.

As with the VAIO NS1-Series, JS1 comes with VAIO Movie Story and VAIO Music box for easy, largely automated slideshow and playlist creation. The software package also includes the popular and highly regarded Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 for powerful but easy to use photo editing tools plus Adobe Premiere® Elements 4 for video editing.

To round things off the VAIO JS1 has an integrated Motion Eye webcam, making it perfect for video chat or blogging. With its versatility, eye-catching design and big screen, the JS1-Series is the perfect blend of form and function.

“Sony” is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Q Totally Phones in Bond's New Quantum of Solace VAIO

John Mahoney — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:40:00 EDT

Overheard in MI6 4th-floor martini lounge: "Man, it used to be fun heading down to Q's lab. Shit blowing up all the time, everyone just grinning and shaking their head knowingly (oh, James) when I accidentally incinerated prototype after expensive and high-time-investment prototype. Now? Dude's just going to down to the high street shops and slapping some logos on. Look at this laptop—it's garden variety Z-series: 13.3 inches, Core 2 Duo, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, 3G connection, Blu-ray. And he's billing M £3,000 ($5,300) for it. Same for my phone. I mean, they're nice and all, but WTF?" [Gadget Review, T3]

Sony Vaio TT Is Real, Definitely Has Blu-ray and Huge SSD

Adrian Covert — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Pretty much everything you read in yesterday's rumor posts about the Sony Vaio TT is true — the Blu-ray drive, 256 GB SSD, 2.87-pound weight and thickness under an inch. It also has an 11.1-inch, LED-backlit 16:9 LCD panel, Sprint EV-DO mobile broadband, and an HDMI port that outputs at 1080p resolution.

The TT also has 2 USB ports, built-in webcam, Bluetooth and 802.11n Wi-Fi. The TT will be available this summer in three colors—Black, Red and Champagne Gold—and starts at $2000. Models with Blu-ray start at $2700, while SSD models start at $2750. [Sony]

SONY UNVEILS WORLD’S LIGHTEST BLU-RAY DISC NOTEBOOK

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 23, 2008— Sony today took the wraps off the world’s lightest computer with Blu-ray Disc™ technology— the VAIO® TT Series notebook.

Housed in a lightweight carbon-fiber chassis, this new model weighs just 2.87 pounds and is less than 1-inch thin.

“This engineering marvel packs the power of HD technology into an ultra-light, ultra-portable notebook,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics.

Select models play Blu-ray Disc movies in full HD 1080p resolution when connected to a compatible HDTV. These units can also record, store and play back personal content on high-capacity BD media.

It features an 11.1-inch widescreen display (measured diagonally) with Sony’s XBRITE-DuraView™ LCD technology, delivering 100 percent color saturation for a wide range of vibrant colors and true-to-life picture quality. This technology also produces a brighter screen thanks to an energy-efficient white LED backlight so you can view photos in crystal-clear resolution.

The display is ideal for Blu-ray Disc movies. Since many HD films are shot using a 16:9 aspect ratio, the unit’s extra-wide LCD is constructed with the same dimensions. This minimizes the black bars that typically appear, letting you view movies in their intended format.

For those who prefer to watch content on a big screen television, the TT model also has an HDMI™ output connector so you can connect it to a compatible high-definition TV for a larger viewing experience (connector cable sold separately).

It is equipped with Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology for powerful PC output and energy-conserving features that deliver long battery life.

Select VAIO TT notebooks feature a dual channel 256GB (128GB X 2) solid state drive (SSD) with RAID technology. The result is quicker boot-up times, faster application launches and overall enhanced performance.

The PC integrates wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) technology provided by the Sprint® Mobile Broadband Network and its latest mobile network technology, EV-DO Revision A. For this, a separate Sprint service subscription is required.

The notebook comes with the choice of Windows Vista® Home Premium, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate operating systems. Windows® XP Professional is also available on select models.

All models are ENERGY STAR® 4.0 compliant, hold an EPEAT Silver ranking and incorporates such eco-conscious features as a mercury-free LED backlit LCD.

The TT model starts at $2,000. The BD version will go for about $2,700, while the SSD model (128GB) for around $2,750. It is available in a premium carbon black, silk black, champagne gold and crimson red.

The VAIO TT notebooks will be available online at www.sonystyle.com/pr/tt. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores, military base exchanges, and select retailers around the country starting this fall.

Sub-3-Lb. Sony Vaio TT Rumored To Have Blu-ray Burner, 250GB SSD

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:05:07 EDT

According to leaks collected by Sony Insider, that Sony Vaio TT I mentioned yesterday is turning out to be one of the sweetest laptops we've ever not seen. A new spec sheet shows that the 2.87-lb. laptop will come in Champagne Gold, Crimson Red and Silk Black with respectable features, and then there will be a Premium Carbon Fiber Black, with a 250GB solid-state two-drive array and a 2X speed Blu-ray burner—with no change in overall weight. Sounds too good to be true, but here are the full leaked specs for your perusal:

VGN-TT190UBX:
• 11.1 inch LED screen with XBRITE-DuraView™ (1366×768)
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor SU9400 at 1.4ghz
• 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• 2.87 pounds
• (2x) Blu-Ray writer, reader / DVD writer, reader / CD writer, reader
• 250gb (128GBx2 RAID) solid state hard drive
• HDMI output, 2 USB ports
• Built-in camera
• Memory stick Pro, SD slot
• Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, ethernet
• Windows Vista Ultimate

Common features of the VGN-TT190EIN, VGN-TT190EIR, VGN-TT190NIB:
• 11.1 inch LED screen with XBRITE-DuraView™ (1366×768)
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor SU9300 at 1.2ghz
• Up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• 2.87 pounds
• Hard drive options max out at 160GB (non SSD, SATA 5400rpm)
• DVD writer, reader / CD writer, reader
• HDMI output, 2 USB ports, VGA output
• Built-in camera
• Memory stick Pro, SD slot
• Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n, ethernet; we are unsure which model will have the EVDO that was cleared by FCC
• Windows Vista® Home Premium (VGN-TT190EIN/VGN-TT190EIR), or Windows Vista® Business (VGN-TT190NIB can also get XP Pro)

[Sony Insider]

Sexy Sony Vaio TZ Is About To Be TT?

Wilson Rothman — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Sony Insider is reporting a well-founded rumor that the Vaio team will announce a new notebook tomorrow, a replacement to the super-sweet TZ, now to be called TT. I don't know if that's an Audi reference or a boobie reference, but what I do know is that it will likely have wireless-N, Bluetooth and an EVDO option—no mention of HSDPA—and will be a full-powered Vista notebook with the same 11.1-inch screen as the lightweight TZ. Catchy name or not, this combination of features should make it a pretty hot item, so let's all keep an eye out for the real news. [Sony Insider]

Sony Considering Fashionably Late Entry Into Netbook Market

Elaine Chow — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:30:00 EDT

Considering just about every other laptop maker has entered the ULPC arena, it comes as no surprise that Sony's thinking about dipping its toes into netbooks as well. Sony exec Mike Abary told Laptop Magazine to “stay tuned” about the company's netbook plans, and added that “we are letting the pioneers of the market make the mistakes... We have to participate.” What? You have to participate in creating a consumer product that's been key to keeping the PC industry from sinking with the rest of the economy? Crazy talk! [Laptop Mag]

Sony's New Vaio NS and CS Laptops Are (Almost) HD Ready

Kit Eaton — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The NS series of laptops is the latest in Sony's Vaio update frenzy, and they're machines aimed at delivering HD video. Hence the NS is available with a Blu-ray ROM drive and has a widescreen 15.4-inch Xbrite-Eco LCD for showing video off. Trouble is, the screen resolution is 1200x800, just enough to deliver 720p, but not enough for 1080p. Ditto for the cool new CS, which already made it to Japan. They both also have minimum battery lives of 1.5 hours—likely what you'll get when you're trying to watch that 2-hour Blu-ray movie. More overall feature info below:

The NS has a built-in A-V mode which pops up a shortcut menu to nine selected programs, which could be media players, music players, browsers, and includes media control functions. It's got a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, 1.3-megapixel webcam, and all the usual connections except for Bluetooth. There's Vaio Movie Story software aboard, for "professional-looking" video editing, but the lack of a Blu-ray burning drive might frustrate your HD film-making desires. It's also got a textured exterior, which may tickle your pickle, and comes in nightfall blue, silk white and granite silver. Out in the Fall, $650 to $1,000 if you want Blu-ray. [SonyStyle]

Sony's also announced that the CS range of Vaios, that we mentioned before for the Japanese market, are also coming to the US. These are similarly entertainment-focused machines, also with a Blu-ray ROM drive option and A-V mode, but just a 14.1-inch screen. It's also got a "uniquely configured" keyboard with extra inter-key spacing and, surprisingly and strangely, and in-built "12-tone music analyzer" visualizer system which produces an LED light-show beneath the wrist rest. Weird. The CS will cost between $920 and $1,070 depending on whether you choose BD.

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 12, 2008 –- Sony today introduced two notebooks with Blu-ray Disc™ technology— the VAIO® NS and CS models.
“With these new units, Sony is now offering consumers a host of multi-media PC options to choose from,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “And with a starting price of around $1,000 for the NS model, we’re expecting a new audience to experience HD entertainment on their computers.”

HD Entertainment Attractively Priced

The VAIO NS notebook features an optional Blu-ray Disc-ROM drive that is ideal for viewing HD content. It also has the added convenience of DVD and CD read/write functionalities.
The PC is equipped with a 15.4-inch (measured diagonally) widescreen display, and Sony’s own XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology for sharp details and vivid colors.
The NS model easily accesses your music, movies and the Internet. Its integrated A/V mode features a dedicated menu, putting entertainment within easy reach by letting you select up to nine programs, such as a favorite web site, from one location.

Packing an Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo processor, significant RAM and ample storage, the NS notebook is equipped with the tools required for everyday computing.
Available in three colors— nightfall blue, silk white and granite silver— the VAIO NS notebook will start at around $650, while the Blu-ray Disc model will go for about $1,000.

High Fashion Meets High-Def

The VAIO CS notebook is available in four glossy colors— sangria, cosmopolitan, dove and black. A standard black matte finish is also available.
The unit is equipped with a 14.1-inch widescreen display and XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology for sharp images. Matched with an optional Blu-ray Disc-ROM drive, the CS model is ideal for watching HD entertainment on-the-go.
Its instant A/V mode lets you kick off your entertainment with ease. Go straight to watching a movie, playing music, or viewing photos with the touch of a button. A built-in A/V slide control also lets you control all functions (play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, stop, eject, etc.) all with one-touch ease.

The PC has a uniquely configured keyboard, designed with spacing between the keys, for a comfortable typing experience. A specialized keyboard font adds a fun touch. The unit also has a12-tone music analyzer that translates your music into a colorful LED light show that plays out beneath the palm rest of the PC.

It is backed by optional Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with plenty of power for high-speed performance and an energy-efficient design for remote computing.
The CS model will start at about $920, while the BD model will go for around $1,070.

The VAIO NS and CS notebooks will be available online at www.sonystyle.com. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and select retailers around the country starting this fall.

Sony Vaio AW Laptop With Adobe RGB Screen Is a Photographer's Dream

Adrian Covert — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:25:24 EDT

Sony's AW Laptop isn't really meant for the average technology set, but its ocean of storage space, high quality screen and HDMI out seem to indicate it's more for a designer who needs color accuracy, or a photographer who has to run through a lot of shots. And with a palm rest that matches the grip on the Sony Alpha DSLR, the two go hand in hand.

The 18.4-inch, 16:9 AW screen supports the Adobe RGB color profile with reproduction to 137%, and runs 64 bit Vista Ultimate. It has a 2.53 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 512 MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card, 4 GB RAM and a Blu-ray burner. Filling out its 8-pound frame is a hard drive configuration that includes twin 64 GB SSDs with a 500 GB spinner, or up to a terabyte of standard storage.

The premium version of the Sony AW will start a $2000 (non-premium model sans Adobe RGB screen starts at $1600), but as usual, expect that price to go up, up, up as you spec it out. It should arrive in stores in late September. [Sony]

NEW SONY NOTEBOOK REDEFINES THE HIGH-DEFINITION HOME THEATER

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 10, 2008 ¾ Sony today unveiled the all-new VAIO® AW Series high-definition notebook.

Weighing a little more than 8 pounds, the AW model is ideal for the multimedia enthusiast or photographer who likes to view or edit high-definition content on-the-go.

“This new notebook delivers the power of a high-end desktop in a portable form factor,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “Whether you’re gaming, watching a Blu-ray Disc™ movie or editing high-def video, it offers all the HD tools you’ll need.”

Equipped with an extra-wide 18.4-inch (measured diagonally) LCD display and Sony’s own XBRITE-FullHD™ LCD technology (optional), the notebook delivers vibrant colors in stunning 1080p clarity.

It comes standard with a Blu-ray Disc optical drive for play back of high-definition content, including movies in full HD 1080p resolution. Select units can also record, store and play back personal content on high-capacity BD media.

For those who prefer to watch content on a big screen television like a Bravia® LCD, the unit also has an HDMI™ output so you can connect it to a compatible HDTV set for a larger viewing experience (cable sold separately).

The display is ideal for Blu-ray Disc movies. Since many high-definition films are shot using a 16:9 aspect ratio, the unit’s extra-wide LCD is constructed with the same dimensions. This minimizes the black bars that typically appear, letting you view movies in their intended format.

The extended workspace also lets you view two full websites at once or compare two documents side-by-side without tabbing back and forth.

The notebook is perfect for photo enthusiasts. With its optional Adobe® RGB color compatible LCD screen, it displays all colors in the RGB color space enabling you to view true on-screen reproductions of your digital photos— so they appear just as they would if they were printed. And since the panel displays in full 1080p, your images will “pop” with razor-sharp detail.

A built-in CompactFlash® slot simplifies the transferring of photos from your digital camera to your PC. And once the images are on your notebook, the pre-installed Adobe Photoshop® Lightroom® software provides one central portal to streamline the process of organizing, editing, archiving and printing photos.

It packs new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, up to 1TB of storage, and comes pre-installed with your choice of Windows Vista® Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate operating systems.

Select AW notebooks feature dual 64GB solid state drives (SSD) with RAID technology for faster boot-up times and application launches. Combined with a 500GB hard drive, the SSD model is equipped with maximum power and storage for handling all your high-definition content.

Available in titanium gray and a glossy piano black finish, the VAIO AW notebook standard model starts at about $1,600, while the premium version starts at around $2,000. It will be available online at www.sony.com/pr/aw. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores, military base exchanges, and select retailers around the country starting later this month.

Sony Switching Battery Life Scoring Method, No Longer Advertising Wildly Misleading Numbers

Elaine Chow — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:30:00 EDT

Sick and tired of never getting even close to the 10 to 12 hours of battery life advertised by PC companies on your laptop? Sony hears you, and is taking pains to improve at least one thing about their power packs. No, not the overheating factor, though they say they've got that somewhat under control now, honest! The company recently told PC Authority that they would be switching to a more realistic measurement for advertising their notebook battery figures. Yay?

Notebook vendors usually base their battery numbers off of Japanese tech association Jeita's method, which measures power depletion when the laptop's completely idle and then averages that number with the laptop's life when running a movie file. Sony will be switching to a Jeita “A” standard, which uses only the movie file test's results. Good news for the hapless consumer, I guess, but I'm pretty sure everyone was hoping for something more like “Hey, your battery will in fact last 11 hours and it won't explode on you either!” [PC Authority]

Overheat Risk Makes Sony Recall Vaio TZ Laptops

Kit Eaton — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:08:43 EDT

Sony's issuing a recall for Vaio TZ laptops sold between May 2007 and July 2008: apparently there's a risk of overheating leading to "abnormal heat deformation of the enclosure"—which sounds like a lot more than the usual knee-burn heat of a laptop. It's not due to the battery, mind you, rather it seems like a manufacturing flaw related to the power connector and LCD frame. The news relates so far to just Japanese machines, with Sony offering free inspection and repair, but keep your eyes peeled for news of the problem in other countries. [PCWatch]

Sony Vaio LV All-In-One Entertainment PC One Ups The Vaio LT With HDMI-in And Integrated HD Tuner

Adrian Covert — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Sony's Vaio LV all-in-one PC is the direct successor to the Vaio LT desktop PC released earlier this year, but this time around, they added two crucial features — HDMI-in and an integrated ATSC tuner. This means you can watch over the air TV or connect any HD cablebox, DVR, Game Console, DVD/Blu-Ray player, etc..., without the need for special hardware. Furthermore, the 24-inch WUXGA screen works regardless of whether the computer is on or not.

As far as hardware goes, the high end LV has a 3.16 Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD, NVIDIA GEFORCE 9300M Video Card, built-in 1.3 MP webcam and a Blu-ray burner. Connectivity options include A2DP Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11n wireless networking. It also has tons of inputs, such as 5 USB ports, S-Video, composite video, S/PDIF, Memory Stick Pro and SDHC readers, ExpressCard/34 slot and Ethernet. Plus, the unit is VESA wall mountable, and the wireless keyboard comes with an integrated touchpad.

Sony also announced their JS line of all-in-one PCs, which are the cheaper, far more basic cousin to the LV. Equipped with a 20-inch screen and 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, the JS is meant to be used as a straight forward computer, as opposed to a media machine. The premium model has a BD-ROM drive, 500 GB HDD, 4 GB RAM, built-in webcam and Intel integrated graphics. It also has A2DP Bluetooth, 802.11n wi-fi, and 5 USB ports. The JS will come in black, silver and pink colors.

The Sony LV will be available this fall starting at $1600, but expect the spec'd out model to run in the $3000 range. The JS will also be available in the Fall starting at $1000, but again, with the higher end features, will likely cost much more. [Sony]

SONY UNVEILS THREE NEW ALL-IN-ONE DESKTOP PCS WITH
BLU-RAY TECHNOLOGY

DENVER (CEDIA Booth #600), Sept. 3, 2008 – Merging powerful PC performance with slim stylish LCD panels, Sony today introduced three new all-in-ones— the VAIO® JS, LV and RT desktop models.
Designed as space-savers, these new models are ideal for everything from everyday computing to editing high-definition video content.

“These new all-in-ones address all your entertainment and computing needs— they’re an HDTV, Blu-ray Disc™ player and PC in a fashion-forward, clutter-free design,” said Xavier Lauwaert, product manager for VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics.

Casual Computing/ Affordably Priced

The VAIO JS All-in-One desktop chassis sits directly on your desk complete with a storage space for your keyboard.

Equipped with a 20.1-inch (diagonal) LCD display, the JS model features Sony’s own XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology so you will experience razor-sharp images in crisp, vivid detail.

An optional Blu-ray Disc ROM optical drive is available for the JS model. Watch pristine HD content or check out exclusive movie previews and downloads utilizing BD-Live™, a Blu-ray feature that enables you to access additional content via your Internet-connected PC.

The unit incorporates an integrated microphone and web cam, with face-tracking technology, so it can follow your movements while video-chatting with friends and co-workers.

The JS model boasts powerful desktop computing while curbing energy consumption and noise. It comes pre-installed with Windows Vista® Home Premium operating system.

The VAIO JS All-in-One model comes in black, silver and pink and starts at around $1,000.

Power-Packed HD Entertainment
Featuring a floating mirror design, the VAIO LV High-Definition PC/TV serves as your entire entertainment hub.

It is equipped with a 24-inch (diagonal) WUXGA (1920x1200) widescreen high-definition display, with Sony’s original XBRITE-FullHD™ LCD technology, for crystal-clear images.
Most LV models feature a slot-in Blu-ray Disc optical drive so you can enjoy high-definition movies. A rewritable BD drive for recording, storing and playing back personal content on high-capacity BD media is available.

And with built-in DVR capabilities and an up to a terabyte of storage, you can create a personal entertainment library with up to 100 hours of HD television.

An industry-unique-feature in an all-in-one PC, the LV model features a 1080p capable HDMI™ input so you can connect your compatible HD cable box, satellite receiver or PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system (all sold separately) via a single cable and enjoy HD entertainment without powering on the PC.

Packing powerful components, the LV model can multi-task through demanding PC applications while editing HD content. The LV model comes with your choice of Windows Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate operating systems.

The LV model is equipped with wireless LAN and an integrated power supply allowing the unit to be cleanly mounted on a wall. A wireless keyboard with a built-in touchpad, mouse and remote control are included.

Sony VAIO RT All-In-One PC Is A 25.5" Widescreen, HDMI-Filled, Video Editing Monster

Benny Goldman — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EDT

The VAIO RT is Sony's beast of an all-in-one PC, an "extra-widescreen" (read: 16:9) 25.5" display, created with designers and video editors in mind. It's big feature is that it not only has an HDMI-in port in order to work with HD content, but it also has an HDMI-out, for connecting a second monitor. Other features include a Blu-ray recordable drive and up to 1TB of hard drive space. It also comes loaded with 8GB RAM, a multi-card reader and a built-in digital TV tuner. Of course, you're still stuck with Vista, but with all that power underneath you should do just fine. Unfortunately, the RT has a beastly price tag to match—it starts at $3300—when it arrives this fall. Press release down below. [Sony]

Video-Editing Powerhouse
The VAIO RT High Definition Studio is a one-stop-shop handling all your high-definition video-editing needs on a single machine.
Its 25.5-inch (diagonal) LCD display, featuring XBRITE-FullHD LCD technology, and Blu-ray optical drive enables you to play, record and edit HD video in 1080p resolution.
In addition to the built-in digital TV tuners, an HDMI In port lets you connect compatible HD cable and satellite boxes to enrich your HDTV viewing experience. An HDMI output has also been included, letting you connect to an external LCD display or HDTV to expand your workspace (HDMI cable, LCD, and HDTV sold separately).
The RT series incorporates Intel® Core™2 Quad processors, up to 8GB of RAM and a terabyte hard drive. It is equipped with a high-speed eSATA port, for extra storage, and a CompactFlash® slot.
The unit comes pre-installed with Windows Vista Ultimate operating system. A wireless keyboard with integrated touchpad and mouse are included. It is also equipped with a built-in power supply enabling you to cleanly mount it to the wall.
The VAIO LV High-Definition PC/TV will start at around $1,600 while the VAIO RT High-Definition Studio PC will go for about $3,300. All three series will be available online at www.sonystyle.com/pr/aio. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and select retailers around the country starting this fall.

Sony Vaio Photo Frame Brings Internet Radio, RSS News to Your Mantlepiece

John Herrman — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Sending another (admittedly pretty) digital picture frame into an already overcrowded, under-innovated field, Sony has announced is $300 Vaio CP1, which boasts wireless networking, RSS feed integration and - most interestingly - Shoutcast radio streaming. The picture display capabilities are also above average, as the frame can show photos directly from its 128MB of internal storage, a wide variety of common media cards or even Picasa albums stored online.

The RSS headlines can be overlaid on the photos, as can a clock. As you can see above, Sony has eschewed tacky photo frame styling for a sleek, minimal look, which makes the somewhat steep price tag hurt a bit less. The network, RSS and audio streaming are welcome additions to normal frame fare, but as the sole widgets on this $300 frame, they are as much reminders that this apparently capable hardware is being underutilized as they are useful features. The CP1 will be available at Sony Style stores and online sometime in mid-October. Full press release below. [Sony]

DENVER (CEDIA Booth #600), Sept. 3, 2008 ⎯ Sony today unveiled the wireless VAIO® CP1 Wi-Fi photo frame, making it easier than ever to share digital images as well as receive news and stream Internet radio in real-time.

Utilizing built-in Wi-Fi technology, the CP1 model lets you stream photos from a VAIO PC directly to the device. Featuring more than 16 million colors and 800x480 resolution, photos locked away on your PC will now come to life on the photo frame’s brilliant 7-inch LCD screen.

In addition to streaming images from a VAIO PC, the CP1 model can also connect to Google™ Picasa™ web albums. This enables you to view up to four web albums simultaneously, as well as upload photos directly to a Picasa account.

“How many times have you uploaded images to our PC— vowing to share them— never to see them again,” said Xavier Lauwaert, product manager for VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new frame provides an easy way to retrieve and share these precious memories that otherwise would have been forgotten.”

In addition to its ability to wirelessly access photos, the CP1 model can display images from compatible Memory Stick® media, SD cards or digital still cameras providing instant access to your latest shots. It is also CompactFlash® media card-compatible, making it convenient for those who use a digital SLR camera.

And with 128MB internal storage, up to 100 digital images can be saved directly to the new photo frame for viewing anytime.

Keeping your images and slideshows organized is easy as well. Content is grouped into sections called “frames,” making it easy to enjoy photos, information and music. You can choose from Slideshow— for movie-like presentations, Flow— which creates a slideshow with fun, special-effects, and Dissolve— a more traditional view that fades images into one another.

It also has an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader built-in, which enables it to grab news headlines and entertainment content from the Internet and display it along with your slideshows. Operating in real-time, the RSS function provides you up-to-the-minute information.

The new CP1 model also features built-in stereo speakers and an Internet radio player for enriching slideshows with your favorite style of music.

Other features include a digital/analog clock and the ability to save energy by dimming the screen automatically when a room’s lights are turned off.

The VAIO CP1 digital photo frames will retail for about $300. They will be available at Sony Style® stores and online at HYPERLINK "http://www.sonystyle.com/cp1" www.sonystyle.com/pr/cp1 starting in mid-October.

Sony Ad's HDTV Hungers for the Sweet Flesh of a Blu-ray Player

Adam Frucci — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

This new Sony Vaio ad, created by 180 in Los Angeles, features an HDTV that swallows up a Blu-ray player like a Venus Fly Trap. It's pretty awesome. I think I'd enjoy any ad that has large gadgets devouring smaller ones in an animalistic fashion. [Space Invaders via NotCot]

John Mayer Cheats On Apple With a Sony Vaio

Jason Chen — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EDT

Just when we thought John Mayer was happy with his MacBook Air, he goes and cheats on Apple with a Sony Vaio. Was it the fact that he had to submit a bug report? Was it the fact that everyone's submitting bug reports with his name in it? Or how about because he's on the Sony BMG label? Who knows! It's not the first time he's cheated on Apple, and we're sure as shit it's not going to be his last. [As seen in the latest issue of Wired Mag]

Sony Putting the PS3 Xross Media Bar Into Vaio FW Laptops

Sean Fallon — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:58:00 EDT

The PS3 may be having its ups and downs, but one thing is for certain—Sony is loving the Xross Media Bar. They put it in some of their Bravia TVs, the PSP, some Cybershot cameras and now they are planning to integrate the interface into their new Vaio FW series laptops. Naturally, the goal here is to provide synergy between all sorts of devices to create that "digital living room" type experience that is all the rage these days. [Tech Radar]

Hands On Sony Vaio Z-Series: World's Smallest, Lightest Blu-ray Laptops

matt buchanan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:00:30 EDT

You'll notice Sony's heavy use of qualifiers in their small and light claims—it's because the new 13.1-inch Z-series powered by Centrino 2 is no Keira Knightley (or MacBook Air or X300). Blu-ray is actually optional. But the screen is where this thing shines: Its XBRITE-DuraView LCD is scratch-resistant with 100 percent color saturation, and you can get a crazy-high 1600x900 widescreen resolution.

Besides the smorgasbord of ports, you'll notice its MacBook-like keyboard, which has spread to the rest of the Vaio line, except the biz class (though Sony says they did it first, in 2003). It's also got G-Sensor shock protection in case you send it flying (or falling).

NEW SONY PC DELIVERS HIGH PERFORMANCE IN
ULTRA-PORTABLE PACKAGE

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2008 Sony today took the wraps off a new line of sleek, powerful, lightweight PCs– the VAIO® Z Series notebooks.

Weighing just over 3 pounds, the VAIO Z model incorporates a vivid 13.1-inch widescreen display with Sony’s own XBRITE-DuraView™ LCD technology for scratch-resistant durability and 100 percent color saturation.
Select models feature a high-resolution 1600 X 900 widescreen display, providing a 40 percent wider workspace than a standard display within the same “footprint” — so the view increases while the notebook’s size does not. This makes it easier to view multiple documents or lengthy spreadsheets on a single screen.

A seamless sheet of brushed aluminum adorns the keyboard panel elegantly framing its individual keys. The spacing between the keys is precisely engineered to create a comfortable typing experience while helping to prevent mistakes.
“Today’s mobile professional demands not only portability from a notebook but that it meets their productivity needs as well,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new model is an amazing engineering feat packing the full functionality of a larger PC into an ultra-light form factor.”

The unit is housed in a durable carbon-fiber casing to help endure the knocks, bumps and accidents common to frequent travel. It also incorporates G-Sensor™ Shock Protection technology to counteract sudden movements helping to prevent damage and data loss.

-more-
It is powered by new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, the chipset designed for sizzling performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy efficiency.

Road warriors will love its built-in 802.11n wireless LAN capabilities making it faster and easier to connect to compatible wireless networks with greater performance and range than ever before. For blazing-fast wireless access beyond networks and hotspots, the unit features optional built-in wireless Sprint® Mobile Broadband, the nation’s largest wireless broadband network.

The Z model has an optional Blu-ray Disc (BD) optical drive for enjoying, creating and storing high-definition content. Enjoy BD movies in stunning clarity while on the road or utilize the HDMI output during meetings and make presentations come to life in full 1080 HD resolution. Compatible HDTV and HDMI cable required, sold separately.

It also includes a switch-on-the-fly hybrid graphics system, allowing you to set graphics performance instantly for striking presentations that “pop” or extend battery life— all without having to reboot.

The PC employs a biometric fingerprint sensor, a Trusted Platform Module compliant chip and proprietary hard disk drive password protection software to help protect data from unauthorized access.

Equipped with a trial version of the My Memory Center™ service, the PC lets you easily transfer valuable data from your old computer to your new one via a password-protected online account. The unit comes pre-installed with Windows Vista® Business operating system. A Windows® XP Pro downgrade is also available for select models.
.
It is equipped with plenty of slots, ports and jacks, including a Memory Stick® media/SD card slot, three USB ports, i.LINK® IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack and a PC Card (type-II) slot making it easy to transfer files from external devices.

The PC is also available in a dual channel 128 GB solid state drive (SSD) model. Faster and more durable, the SSD unit provides a rapid boot-up and quicker access to applications than is typical of standard hard drives.
All models are Energy Star® 4.0 compliant, hold an EPEAT Silver ranking and incorporates eco-conscious features such as a mercury-free LED backlit LCD. Sony will even recycle your old PC (www.sony.com/recycle).

The standard VAIO Z notebook will start at about $1,800 while the SSD model will go for around $2,300. Both models will be available online at www.sony.com/pr/z. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and select retailers around the country starting in August.

[Sony]

Sony Vaio BZ Business Notebooks: Handsome, Tough and Spill Resistant

Benny Goldman — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:00:10 EDT

The Vaio BZ series business notebook from Sony combines the look of a Vaio and the durability of a ThinkPad to make a glitzier business notebook than we usually see. The BZ isn't Mil-Spec strong like Toughbooks or EliteBooks, but it carries HDD shock protection and a spill resistant keyboard in its magnesium alloy case, which is similar spec-wise to a Lenovo ThinkPad.

The 15.4" lappie is equipped with an Intel Centrino 2 processor, up to 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, DVD+R, card reader, 3 USBs and FireWire in its fairly hefty 6-pound frame. The only thing missing is the crapware, as Sony lets customers pass on the bloat with their FreshStart option. The BZ starts around $1000 and is available now, press release down below.

NEW SONY PROFESSIONAL NOTEBOOK LINE MEANS BUSINESS

VAIO BZ Series PCs Offers Durability, Mobility and Performance
SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2008 ⎯ Sony today announced a new line of professional PCs— the VAIO® BZ Series notebooks. Built for business, these lightweight PCs incorporate the compatibility and productivity features required by IT professionals and business customers.
The BZ notebook boasts a spacious 15.4-inch widescreen display and full-size keyboard while weighing less than six pounds. An optional anti-glare screen featuring Sony’s patented XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology provides a crystal-clear picture.
The PC is housed in a durable magnesium alloy casing to endure the knocks, bumps and accidents common to frequent travel. It also incorporates G-Sensor™ Shock Protection technology to counteract sudden movements helping to prevent damage and data loss.
A spill-resistant keyboard panel has been added to help protect the internal components of the computer against accidental spills.
The BZ notebook is powered by new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, the chipset designed for sizzling performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy efficiency.
Select models come with Intel® vPro technology enabling IT managers to fix PC-related problems remotely— without ever leaving their workstation— saving precious time and reducing support-related costs.
The PC also features a stripped-down software load so that the notebook can be imaged faster greatly reducing set up time for the IT professional.
“ Whether running heavy applications back at the office or closing a deal on the road today’s professional need their PC to perform— wherever, whenever,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “This notebook delivers the robust performance they require.”
With the BZ notebook’s integrated 802.11n LAN technology wirelessly check e-mail and surf the web with greater range and reliability than ever before when connected to a compatible hotspot.
The PC employs a biometric fingerprint sensor, a Trusted Platform Module compliant chip and proprietary hard disk drive password protection software to help protect data from unauthorized access.
It comes pre-installed with Windows Vista® Business operating system. A Windows® XP Pro downgrade is also included for easy integration into existing platforms.
The PC is equipped with plenty of slots, ports and jacks, including a Memory Stick® media/SD card slot, three USB ports, i.LINK® IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack and a PC Card (type-II) slot making it easy to transfer files from external devices.
Sony offers VAIO Care™ (www.sony.com/vaiocare) a total lifecycle management program that supports a business’s needs throughout the life of the product. Components of the program include extended service and accidental damage protection options, 24/7 customer support and a dedicated phone line for business customers.
The BZ models are Energy Star 4.0 EPEAT Silvercompliant andincorporate ecoconscious features such as a mercury-free LED backlit LCD minimize the risk of mercury seeping into vulnerable eco-systems at the end of its lifecycle.
Sony will also recycle your old PC, donate it for you or allow you to trade it in, for fair market value, towards the purchase of a new PC (www.sony.com/business).
The VAIO Professional BZ Series notebook line will be available, later this month, starting at about $1,000, through value-added resellers and direct market resellers. More information about the BZ Series is available online at www.sony.com/pr/bz.

[Sony Style]

Sony Vaio FW and SR Series: First 16.4-Inch Notebook, MacBook-Style Keyboards

matt buchanan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Two series of Vaio Centrino 2 consumer notebooks: FW is the world's first 16.4-inch widescreen notebook, meant to deliver a 17-inch widescreen 16:9 experience in a 15-incher's footprint. (The math sort of works.) It's optimized for HD and Blu-ray playback (though optional) with built-in PS3 and Vaio Home Theater PC streaming. The SR-series notebooks bring some higher-end features down to the consumer level at a decent, with an LED-backlit 13.3-inch widescreen and G-sensor HDD shock protection. Every Vaio notebook (except the BZ biz class laptops) has the new MacBook style-keyboard—though Sony says they did it first, 2003—as well as a crapware manager. Full details below.

SONY UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST 16.4-INCH WIDE
MULTIMEDIA NOTEBOOK

Extra-wide LCD and Blu-ray Disc Technology Make for a Powerful HD Experience

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2008 Sony today unveiled the VAIO® FW notebook—a multimedia PC that displays HD movies the way they were meant to be seen.

Part of a series, the VAIO FW notebook comes in multiple configurations, including a premium and a standard model. The premium model plays Blu-ray Disc™ high-definition content like movies in full 1080 HD resolution when connected to a compatible HDTV. It can also record, store and play back personal content on high-capacity BD media.
Weighing a little over six pounds, the FW notebook features the world’s first 16.4-inch display, which combines the benefits of a slightly larger17-inch widescreen with the smaller “footprint” of a 15.4-inch model.

The display is ideal for Blu-ray Disc movies. Since many HD films are shot with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the unit’s extra-wide LCD is constructed with the same dimensions. This minimizes the black bars that typically appear, letting you view movies in their intended format.

The extended workspace also lets you view two full websites at once or compare two documents side-by-side without tabbing back and forth.Combined with Sony’s patented XBRITE-HiColor™ LCD technology on select models, the display delivers razor-sharp details, bold colors and glare-free viewing.
-more-

For those who prefer to watch content on a big screen television, the unit also has an HDMI™ output connector so you can connect to a high-definition TV set for a larger viewing experience.

“This PC is a multimedia masterpiece thoughtfully crafted to help consumers enjoy the full excitement of HD,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. “It’s a shining example of how cutting-edge technologies can be brought together to unlock a world of high-definition entertainment.”
The notebook is powered by new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, the chipset designed for sizzling performance, instant system responsiveness and energy efficiency. Select units come pre-installed with the Windows Vista® Ultimate operating system.
The series comes with three entertainment software applications. Offerings include VAIO Movie Story software— an easy way to produce your own high-quality home movies, VAIO MusicBox software— a fun way to enjoy music based on your mood, and Click to Disc/ Editor software— for easy DVD/ BD video-editing and creation.

The model also includes VAIO Media software, a DLNA-enabled media sharing application that lets you wirelessly stream content stored on your PC throughout your home network. Movies, music and digital still images can be streamed from the notebook to a PLAYSTATION® 3 or VAIO Home Theater PC that is connected to a TV for big-screen enjoyment.

The PC is equipped with plenty of slots, ports and jacks, including a Memory Stick® media/SD card slot, three USB ports, an i.LINK® IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack, and a 34mm ExpressCard® slot making it easy to transfer files from external devices.
With the notebook’s integrated Wireless-N technology, also known as 802.11n, you can wirelessly surf the web, e-mail and stream HD content with greater range and reliability than ever before when connected to a compatible hotspot.
Most FW models are Energy Star 4.0 compliant and incorporate such eco-conscious features as powder coating, which is a painting technique that is solvent-free. Sony also recycles old PCs (www.sony.com/recycle).
Available in titanium gray and powder white, the FW standard model starts at about $1,000, while the FW premium will go for around $1,750. The VAIO FW series will be available online at www.sony.com/pr/fw. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and select retailers around the country starting later this month.

NEW SONY PC HITS TRIFECTA MERGING CHIC COLORS,
MOBILITY AND HIGH-END PERFORMANCE

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2008 Combining sizzling performance with a sophisticated design, Sony today introduced a new line of ultra-portable PCs— the VAIO® SR Series notebook.

Constructed of lightweight, durable magnesium alloy, the SR notebooks are available in five striking colors– night black, sunset pink, glossy pink, classic silver and glossy silver.

“This notebook is a dream come true for the consumer who won’t compromise profound processing power for jaw-dropping style,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing for Sony Electronics. “It meets the needs of everyday work and play while delivering the freedom, performance and style consumers crave.”
Weighing just over four pounds, the SR notebook boasts a 13.3-inch LED backlit widescreen display and Sony’s patented XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology for clear, crisp images that truly “pop” off the screen.

Equipped with a uniquely designed keyboard, the unit’s individual keys are slightly raised, producing a user-friendly touch and improved typing experience.

The notebook is powered by new Intel® Centrino® 2 technology, the chipset designed for lighting-fast performance, instant system responsiveness and energy efficiency.

Select models come pre-installed with the Windows Vista® Home Premium operating system. A Windows® XP Professional downgrade is also available.

With the SR notebook’s integrated 802.11n LAN technology you can wirelessly surf the web and check email with greater range and reliability than ever before when connected to a compatible hotspot. And connecting with friends and family has never been easier thanks to the unit’s optional built-in webcam and microphone.

The notebook also incorporates G-Sensor™ Shock Protection technology to counteract sudden movements helping to prevent damage and data loss.

The PC features Switch technology enabling customized “personalities” or modes for home, work and entertainment. You can customize each mode with its own wallpaper and a set of five shortcuts to correspond to various scenarios. Set your favorite websites for home, office applications for work, and programs that allow you to enjoy music and movies when you are ready to relax.

The unit comes with three entertainment software applications. Offerings include VAIO® Movie Story software— an easy way to produce your own high-quality home movies, VAIO MusicBox software— a fun way to enjoy music based on your mood, and Click to Disc/ Editor software— for easy DVD/ BD video-editing and creation.

It also comes with VAIO Media™ software, a DLNA-enabled media sharing application that lets you wirelessly stream content stored on your PC throughout your home network. Movies, music and digital still images can be streamed from the notebook to a PLAYSTATION® 3 or VAIO Home Theater PC that is connected to a TV for big-screen enjoyment.
The PC has plenty of slots, ports and jacks, including a Memory Stick® media/SD card slot, three USB ports, i.LINK® IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack and a PC Card (type-II) for easy transfer of files from external devices.

SR models are Energy Star 4.0 and EPEAT Silver compliant. They also incorporate eco-conscious features such as a mercury-free LED backlit LCD to help minimize the risk of mercury seeping into vulnerable eco-systems at the end of each unit’s lifecycle. Sony will even recycle your old PC via participating Waste Management Recycling Centers (www.sony.com/recycle).

Sony VAIO SR Series notebooks will be available at the end of the month starting at about $1,400. Pre-orders begin online today at www.sonystyle.com/pr/sr. They will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and select retailers around the country.

[Sony]

Sony Teases New Centrino 2 Notebook Line for Monday

Elaine Chow — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Sony Style has posted a teaser on its front page promising that the company's going to drop some knowledge on Monday at 9PM. Chances are, it's about Sony's new Centrino 2-based VAIO line, which should offer better performance while consuming less power than its older models. Laptops rumored to be featured include the company's first 16:9-ratio notebooks, including the 13.1-inch VAIO Z and the 16.4-inch VAIO FZ. [Electronista]

The Dani People of Papua with a Sony Vaio Laptop

Adam Frucci — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:20:00 EDT

I have basically no information on this photo, but it's pretty arresting, isn't it? World's colliding. It's strange to think about coming in contact with modern technology such as a laptop for the first time; for most of us, knowing how to use a trackpad and enter a website address into the location bar is a given. [Pixdaus]

Lightning Review: Sony Vaio LT All-In-One (Powerful, But Expensive)

Adrian Covert — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:10:00 EDT

The Gadget: The Sony VAIO LT is an attractive all-in-one that has a 22-inch, 1680x1050 widescreen display, BD-RW drive, integrated webcam, wireless keyboard and mouse, an external cable card tuner and Vista Media Center, powered by a 2.5 GHz Core 2 Duo processor and 4GB RAM.

The Price: $3300 as tested.

The Verdict: The Vaio LT is a solid computer with a lot of good features. It's easy enough on the eyes that it could be placed in a kitchen or bedroom (it can also be VESA mounted), but it is hardly underpowered. Blu-ray playback provided a nice picture, and watching HD via CableCard was crisp and clear. Rarely, if ever, did I experience slowdown while using many of the media features, showing the hardware is up to the task.

The integrated 1.3 MP webcam is up to par with similar offerings, and the speakers provide good audio in most settings. Despite its TV-esque appearance, there are no inputs for VGA or component video, meaning hooking up a game console or laptop is out of the question.

But looks and power come with a price. The low-end model does start as low as $2000, but it only has a 1.6 GHz processor and 3GB RAM. The high-end model, with the Penryn processor, Cable card tuner and 4GB RAM, will run you $3300. But as hardware alone, the VAIO LT is a solid choice for a media PC.

Linux Last Man Standing In PWN 2 OWN Thunderdome

Elaine Chow — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:15:00 EDT

The dust has settled on PWN 2 OWN and Linux FTW! The Ubuntu-equipped Sony VAIO was the only computer to get through the tournament unscathed, managing to elude the assembled hackers. On Thursday the MacBook Air was the first to go, followed the next day by the Vista-running Fujitsu, conquered by Shane Macaulay. No one, but no one, however, was able to bring down the penguin. [ PWN 2 OWN via PC World ]

Every Sony Vaio TZ Will Get Bloatware-Free "Fresh Start" Option

matt buchanan — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:15:26 EDT

Sony's bloatware-nuking "Fresh Start" option gets a little bit better every day. Originally, it cost $50 and was only available on their businessy TZ2000. Then it got free. Now Sony says it'll be available for every ~~computer~~ Vaio TZ by the end of the summer. Hey, maybe next they'll make it the default. Oh yeah, not a chance. [Pocketables]

Sony Vaio Type T Gets Refreshed CPU and Casing

Haroon Malik — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:55:02 EST

The fantastic Vaio Type T may have lost its thin crown to another laptop, but Sony has rejigged its slimline notebook, giving it a faster CPU, an ultra-low-voltage Core 2 Duo U7600 running at 1.2GHz and a fancy-pants artsy finish. No word on pricing or availability yet. [Akihabara News]

MacBook Air Unboxed, Compared to Sony VAIO

Jesus Diaz — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:00:09 EST

Here you have the first MacBook Air unboxing: iPhone-styled tiny packaging, minimalist and all smooth black. What's even more important, you'll see it compared to a Windows laptop: a Sony VAIO (fight!). Akiko Wada, a Japanese blogger, got invited to a special event hosted by Apple Japan, and she very kindly let us use her photos in Gizmodo. Her thoughts, complete mega-gallery, video and the Air vs. VAIO side-by-side after the jump.
Update: Akiko has shared with us her opinions about the Air, from the perspective of a thin PC user from Japan. Update 2: Inexplicably, Akiko was asked by Apple Japan to remove the old video. She replaced it with a new one.

Obviously, they allowed it because this particular model of VAIO is thick enough to make the MacBook Air look as thin as paper. The event was celebrated by Apple Japan on the 19th. Akiko, who is a PC notebook user, have shared her particular perspective on the MacBook Air:

Jesus Díaz: What do you think about the MacBook Air, from a point of view of someone used to thin and tiny PC laptops?
Akiko Wada: Wonderful! To tell you the truth, I was a little skeptical before the event. "Thin" is very important for a laptop and many Japanese people are looking for the smallest and thinnest and lightest laptop all the time.

But at the same time, the toughness is important for me. I thought: "The MacBook Air is thin, but may be not tough."

I was wrong. At the event, I felt the MacBook Air is tough enough.

Now I use three computers, Sony VAIO Type R master, MacBook, and Pansonic Let's Note R3. The Let's Note Series is a very popular mobile laptop in Japan.

I am a Windows user and I love my [Panasonic] Let's Note, but I have to say that I love the MacBook Air. It completely charmed me.

JD: So what do you think will be the reaction to this in Japan, a country obsessed with light and thin in consumer electronics?
AW: My guess is that many Japanese people will switch to Mac this year. Before, the Mac's laptops didn't appear in the popularity ranking. But now... I am very surprised. I think that many Japanese will accept it just the same as iPod (once I heard some young Japanese girls talking about a Sony Walkman. They said: "Wao! It's a Sony iPod!" Now, the iPod is something like General noun in Japan.)

The original video is no longer available at the request of Apple Japan to Ms. Awada. A new video has been published:

Head to her site to learn more about it and watch the video in high resolution. [WADA-blog — Thanks Akiko!]

Interview: Sony's Thoughts On the MacBook Air

Brian Lam — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:48:27 EST

During the Keynote, Jobs compared the Macbook Air to Sony's TZ ultraportable, implying it had a small keyboard and screen, was too thick, and was not that good. Here's what Sony thinks of the Apple MacBook Air:

Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing, thought the engineering to get a laptop that thin was extremely impressive. But Sony had a similiar vision for an ultraportable once, a carbon fiber notebook in 2004 called the X505 (above) that eschewed the optical and was 0.3 inches thick (compared to 0.16 of the Air) at its thinnest segment. It wasn't that well received, and research later pointed out that "Thinness is not the holy grail". Making something that thin and sexy cost it too much usability. (Many of you agree in the comments on Giz.)

To be fair, dropping an optical in 2004 made no sense, but it makes more sense in 2008, especially with broader internet connections, bittorrent, greater storage capacity, thumbdrives, and Apple's Remote optical drive tech which works over wireless N. But since the X505, ultra portables from Sony have evolved into the TZ, complete with LED backlight, a small but usable keyboard, plenty of ports and built in 3G data. So it is possible that Sony believes they are in many ways 4 years ahead of Apple in their understanding of what consumers want.

When the NYTimes pushed Jobs on the issues of limited storage, he responded, "Maybe this isn't the computer for you." I asked Mike who they thought the computer was for. "Beats me" was the initial reply, but came up with an answer: The extremely design conscious. I asked what feature he'd bring back to the Air, and without hesitating, he thought it should have for 3G.

I wish I could dismiss all of this as competitive trash talk, but too many of you feel the same conflicting feelings about where the Air fits into your collection of machines. At Giz, we're only tormented inside because we still want to buy it, despite it being not all that practical.

Is MacBook Air Worth the Money? Five Slim Laptops Face Off

Adam Frucci — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST

Updated with battery life stats, by popular demand. We can all agree that the MacBook Air is a slick-looking little laptop. It's so thin! You can't argue with that! But if you're in the market for a small, high-performance laptop, is it the best option? I pored over specs for four similarly positioned and more-or-less similarly priced laptops to see if you'll get your $1,800 worth out of the Air. Let's go to the chart, shall we?

It turns out that, surprise surprise, you pay a premium for a tiny form factor. The MacBook Air is seriously expensive for the guts you get inside, but Apple isn't the only company guilty of charging insane amounts for smaller computers. Just look at the Sony Vaio TZ150N, for example. $2,100 for a 1.06 GHz processor? Are you kidding me? I don't care how small, it's still a rip-off.

The best deal—if you don't mind an extra pound of weight and half-inch of thickness—is the Dell XPS M1330. It bests the MacBook Air in nearly every single category, delivering about 30% more processing power, 50% more memory, over 300% more hard drive space, plus a dedicated graphics card. All of this, for $300 less. But also, two hours less of battery life, thanks to the new smaller and more efficient Core 2 Duo processor in the MacBook Air.

But it's really no surprise that a form factor as striking as the MacBook Air's warrants a premium price. Super-slim and light laptops as a category have yet to come down from the stratosphere, dollar-wise. It's a form factor that SSD just makes loads of sense for, lightening them up and cutting down on battery life, but that drives the price up even further for the time being. Chips are still getting smaller and screen technology keeps improving. In a couple of years, these form factors will be reasonably priced with great specs, but until then, prepare to pay a huge chunk more for a bit less power, just so you can brag about having the thinnest computer on the block.

[Gizmodo's Macworld 2008 Full Coverage]

Sony VAIO FZ Laptop Adds HDMI Out, Penryn Processor