NetbookTech

Just wanted to mention that the new Sony VAIO W Series Billabong mini netbook is now in stock and available for sale over at SonyStyle.com for $499.99.  The Billabong mini netbook takes the standard VAIO W netbook and adds splashes of “beachside colors” to it ranging from ocean blue to tropical green hues.

Features and specs to the system are as follows:

• Intel Atom Processor clocked at 1.83GHz
• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• 10.1 inch LED backlit LCD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768
• 1GB of RAM
• 250GB HDD
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and Ethernet connectivity
• Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone with face-tracking technology
• Media card reader
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics

[Check it out]

Sony has teamed up with Billabong to release a new VAIO W series netbook to match the Australian designer’s 2010 summer board short lineup. The new VAIO W Series Imperial Lime netbook features lime-green, blue, and black hand-drawn artwork that’s supposed to represent “the vibrant colour palette that helped define surf fashion in the 1980s". Other features include:

• Preloaded Billabong images and episodes of a planned new TV series featuring some of Billabong’s boardsport athletes
• 10.1 inch display with 1366 x 768 resolution
• Intel Atom processor
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• 250GB HDD
• 1GB of RAM
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• 8 hour of power

The new Imperial Lime VAIO W is expected in Australia this June for a price of A$749.

[Check it out]

A few more tidbits regarding the new updated Sony VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC we announced yesterday thanks to today’s press release:

• Trackpad and left/right buttons are built directly into the LCD bezel
• Mobile nav grip to make it easier to access content on the go
• Weighs 1.4 pounds and is about the size of a business envelope and as thin as a cell phone
• WEB button brings you directly into a web browser – available even when the PC is turned off and without a full boot of Windows
• ASSIST button launches Sony’s VAIO Care software which lets you tune-up, maintain, update, and troubleshoot your PC
• 1600 x 768 LED backlit 8 inch ultra-wide display

The SonyStyle blog site has first-look impressions of the new P Series here.

The new VAIO P is available for pre-order with prices starting at around $800 dollars.

[Check it out]

Sony announced a new updated version of the VAIO P notebook PC today (remember – we’re not supposed to call these netbooks even though they feature an Atom processor on the inside!) complete with a built-in GPS, digital compass, and accelerometer all in a package that weighs just over 600 grams.

This updated notebook is also the first VAIO designed for simple use while you’re standing or walking. You’ll find a central trackball as well as an additional touchpad and mouse buttons located at either edge of the screen. Duplicating the main controls, the additional controls allow for comfortable operation with both thumbs while you’re holding the computer with two hands.

Other features and specs include:

• Built-in GPS and digital compass
• VAIO Location Search software delivering a real time map view of your location
• Built-in everywair 3G (WiMAX in Japan)
• Built-in accelerometer allows you to “shake” through pictures, flick through pages of a PDF document, or navigate web pages
• Full-pitch keyboard
• Bright, extra-wide VAIO Display Plus
• Dedicated buttons for Quick Web Access and one-touch access to VAIO Care. Also a “Change Resolution button” for instantly selecting a larger font for easy on-screen reading
• Available in five colors – black, white, pink, green, and orange
• Intel Atom Z530 processor clocked at 1.6GHz or Atom Z560 clocked at 2.13 GHz
• 2GB of RAM
• 64GB SSD
• Intel SCH US15W chipset
• 8 inch display with 1600 x 768 resolution
• 0.31 megapixel webcam
• Bluetooth connectivity

The new VAIO P also supports PS3 Remote Play allowing you to access content on your PS3 directly on the notebook.

[Check it out]

It’s been awhile since I published a roundup of netbook reviews from around the web – sorry I’ve been bogged down with work from my day job!. So without further ado, here’s a quick roundup of netbook reviews that you might find interesting.

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The Washington Post (OK really PC World) reviews the ASUS Eee PC 1001P-MU17 netbook here on their website. The 1001P-MU17 features the following:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch LED backlit display
• 92 percent keyboard
• Multi-touch enabled keyboard
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB of RAM
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 11+ hour battery life

Here’s what they thought of the 1001P:

“The Asus EeePC 1001-MU17 is a solid effort from the company that started the netbook craze. It has a very nice keyboard and exceptionally well-adjusted touchpad–factors often overlooked in the netbook purchasing equation. While not ostentatious, it’s still sedately handsome, and if you regularly need quick access to the Web, the Express Gate can be handy indeed.”

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CNET’s Crave took the new Intel Convertible Classmate PC for a spin here on their website (photo above from CNET). Similar to last year’s version of the Classmate PC, the latest version adds a rubberized outer shell, a spill-resistant keyboard and screen, and a sturdier chassis with shock-absorbing corners and a shock-detecting hard drive. After-all, kids are going to be rough with their toys right? Specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 160GB HDD
• 1366 x 768 resolution 10.1 inch display (nice to see a higher resolution here)
• VGA, two USB ports, two headphone jacks, microphone jack, and SD card slot

Here’s a snippet from the hands-on:

“Overall, the new Classmate is a great idea, with tools that seem like they’ll help the implementation of an "educational laptop" in school systems ready to adopt them. The only question is, at $499, would a school possibly choose an iPad instead?”

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Washington Post has yet another netbook review (courtesy of PC World really) – this time of the Samsung NB30 netbook. The rugged NB30 features:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• 160GB HDD
• 1 GB of RAM
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA port, headphone jack
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Windows 7 Starter
• 6.5+ hours of battery life

Rugged features include:

• Hard drive freefall sensor automatically parks the hard drive heads if it senses the netbook dropping
• Scratch-resistant texturized matte black finish
• Water-tight seal prevents damages from contact with up to 50cc of spilled water if removed within 10 seconds

Here’s what they thought of the NB30:

“The NB30 is priced a smidge higher than the competition, but those extra dollars fetch a few features that may help this otherwise run-of-the-mill netbook avoid an untimely death.”

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Finally, Bloomberg Businessweek takes a look at the Sony VAIO X thin-and-light notebook/netbook. This pricey system (how pricey? how about a starting price of $1299.99?) features an 11.1 inch display, Atom processor, and an incredible light weight of 1.6 lbs.

Full on specs for the $1299.99 model include:

• Intel Atom Z550 processor clocked at 2GHz
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 11.1 inch LED backlit LCD display
• 2GB of RAM
• 64GB SSD
• GPS
• Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband support
• Bluetooth
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• Standard and extended batteries for up to 14 hours of power

There’s also a VAIO Signature Collection X series with a starting price of $1499.99 which features a 128GB SSD drive.

Here’s what Businessweek thought of the system:

“A handy business tool for on-the-go professionals”

Sony UK officially announced the cheapest Sony netbook yet with the new VAIO M Series mini-notebook. With a starting price of £299, the VAIO M comes available in two colors (black or white), features a 10.1 inch display, and weighs 1.4kg with a 6 cell battery. Specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• Windows 7 Starter OS
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
• 10.1 inch 16:10 aspect ratio LED backlit display with 1024 x 600 resolution
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 graphics
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• MOTION EYE camera
• Built-in stereo speakers
• mono microphone
• 3 USB 2.0 ports

Supplied software includes VAIO Gate; MusicStation; PMB VAIO Edition; VAIO Media Plus; VAIO Care; VAIO Transfer Support; VAIO Update; VAIO Smart Network; Internet Explorer 8; Windows Live Essentials Suite; Adobe® Reader® 9; McAfee (60 days free virus update); and Norton Online BackUp Trial.

[Check it out via Electricpig]

Sony launched a new eco-friendly line of VAIO W netbooks at CES 2010 known as the VAIO W Series 212AX Eco Edition series. What makes these netbooks particularly green you might ask? First off, the netbook features a chassis made up of approximately 23 percent recycled CDs. Yup – CDs. Secondly, the system comes with a stylish reusable carrying case made of recycled PET bottles (material used in plastic bottles). Finally, there’s no printed materials here – the 76 page manual is all electronic.

In addition to being eco-friendly, the new W Series eco-friendly mini-notebook is also kid-friendly thanks built-in parental controls, KidZui web browser, and online family Norton software. KidZui is a web browser, search engine, and online playground for kids ages 3 to 12 with online content reviewed by parents and teachers.

The VAIO W specs are as follows:

• Intel Atom N450 processor clocked at 1.66GHz
• 250GB hard drive
• 1GB RAM
• 82 key QWERTY keyboard with 1.2 mm stroke and 16.05 mm pitch
• Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone
• Electro-static touch-pad
• Memory Stick PRO (Standard/Duo) media slot with MagicGate functionality
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• Wi-Fi Atheros 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth
• Optional Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband
• 10.1 inch 1366 x 768 resolution LED backlit display
• Intel HD audio system
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Windows 7 Starter Edition
• Measures 10.54 x 2.01 x 7.07 inches and weighs 2.96 lbs

Pre-sales are now available at the Sony Style website here – www.sony.com/pr/wseries

Here are official press release pictures:

Sony’s finally come to their senses with the announcement of the new VAIO W Series mini-notebook lineup. Available in three colors (berry pink, sugar white, and cocoa brown), the W Series comes with a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 – easily breaking the standard mold used in nearly all other 10.1 inch netbooks out there. 

Other notable features of the W series include a keyboard with “springy and responsive keys”; loads of “greenness” thanks to  ENERGY STAR 5.0 compliance, EPEAT Gold registered and a mercury-free LED backlit LCD display; and multimedia streaming to DLNA enabled devices thanks to VAIO Media plus Multimedia Streaming software.

Sounds fine and dandy right? Well there’s a downer and it’s pretty lame if you ask us. The standard battery that comes with the W Series has an estimated battery life of get this.. 2 hours. Yup. Two hours. You’d think that after studying the market for so long, Sony would get something like the battery right on the first (or really second) try. Oh well..

Here’s the rest of the specs:

• Intel Atom N280 processor (tho it’s not explicitly stated. Sony says “Intel Processor 1.66GHz. We read that as Intel Atom N280).
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• 160GB HDD
• QWERTY keyboard – 86 keys with 1.2 mm stroke and 16.5 mm pitch
• Built-in MOTION EYE Camera and microphone
• Electro-static touch pad
• Memory Stick PRO Duo with MagicGate functionality
• SD memory card slot
• Atheros 802.11 b/g/n
• Integrated Stereo A2DP Bluetooth
• 10.1 inch 1366 x 768 resolution LED backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD display
• Intel HD Audio
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• Windows XP Home

You can pre-order the Sony VAIO W Series now for $499.99. Expect them to hit the stores by next month. The question is – with a mere 2 hour battery life, does anyone really care about the Sony VAIO W?

[Check it out]

If you’ve got an urge to splurge then you might be interested in Sony’s new limited edition VAIO Signature Collection P Series system – the VGN-P699E/Q Lifestyle PC. Priced at $1999.99 with only 1000 units available, the Limited Edition P Series features:

• 1.86GHz Intel Processor
• Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit
• 8 inch XBRITE-ECO LED backlit LCD display with 1600 x 768 resolution
• 2GB RAM
• 256GB Solid State Drive
• Built-in Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband
• GPS
• Built-in MOTION EYE camera and microphone
• QWERTY keyboard
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
• Weighs 1.4 lbs
• 4 hour standard capacity lithium ion battery

So.. if you’ve got two grand to spare, then feel free to pre-order the Signature Collection P Series netbook.. err.. Lifestyle PC over at SonyStyle. The system will be available starting around July 17th, 2009.

[Check it out]

Here’s another interesting tidbit from the folks at Sony Insider – Sony Japan will soon begin to offer a Windows XP model of the Sony VAIO P known as VGN-P50 (guess Sony got the hint when the reviews weren’t all that spectacular for the VAIO P and its use of Vista).

The new model will also be available in several new colors including Garnet Red, Crystal White, and Peridot, and Gold. Specs to VGN-P50 include:

• Windows XP SP3
• Intel Atom Z520 1.33GHz processor
• 8 inch display
• 1GB RAM
• 80GB HDD
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 2.1

The new model should be hitting the Japanese shores around June 6th for a price of Y85,000 (approximately $900 dollars).

[Check it out via Sony Insider]