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 optimised for HD and Blu-ray playback (though optional). 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. 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 colours 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 Theatre 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 grey 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 customised "personalities" or modes for home, work and entertainment. You can customise each mode with its own wallpaper and a set of five shortcuts to correspond to various scenarios. Set your favourite 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 Theatre 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 Centres (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]

Tags: blu-ray | computers | intel | laptops | notebooks | sony | vaio