SONY VAIO Z LAPTOPS

Sony has unveiled recently a new line of ultraportable PCs – the VAIO Z Series 13.1-inch notebooks for “busy executives”.

Weighing just over 3 pounds, the VAIO Z is based on Intel’s Centrino 2 “Montevina” mobile platform. The laptop includes the latest Intel Core 2 Duo 45-nanometer processor, and enables on-the-fly switching between the power-saving GMA 4500MHD graphics chip and the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 128MB/256MB for better performance. Other core components of the Sony VAIO Z include up to 4GB of new DDR3 memory, up to 320GB hard drive or up to 128GB (64GBx2) of solid state drive storage, and a DVD burner or Blu-Ray burner.

The 13.1″ display of the Z Series has LED backlight and a resolution of 1366-by-768 or 1600-by-900 pixels.

Regarding communications, there are the Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN (802.11a/b/g/n) wireless module, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, a 56K modem, optional mobile broadband by Sprint, and Bluetooth.

The laptop also features HDMI and VGA outputs, a web camera, fingerprint reader, the Trusted Platform Module 1.2, 2 USB ports, an ExpressCard slot, Firewire port, Memory Stick Duo card reader, and Secure Digital slot.

According to the product specifications, the Sony VAIO Z provides up to up to 6 hours of battery life with a standard capacity battery or up to 9 hours with a large capacity unit.

The components of the notebook are housed in a durable carbon-fiber casing. The Z also incorporates G-Sensor Shock Protection technology.

Sony’s new ultraportable runs Windows Vista operating system.

Available beginning in August, the standard VAIO Z notebook will start at about $1,800 while the SSD model will start at around $2,300. The laptops can be preordered now through Sony’s online store.
 

Sony VAIO Z Series*	VGN-Z530N/B	VGN-Z540EBB	VGN-Z550N/B	VGN-Z570N/B	VGN-Z590UAB
CPU (Intel Core 2 Duo)	P8600 2.4GHz	P8600 2.4GHz	P8600 2.4GHz	P9500 2.53GHz	P9500 2.53GHz
Display Resolution	1366 x 768	1366 x 768	1366 x 768	1366 x 768	1600 x 900
Memory (DDR3)	2GB	3GB	3GB	3GB	4GB
Storage (HDD or SSD)	250GB HDD	320GB HDD	250GB HDD	320GB HDD	128GB SSD
Optical Drive	DVD Burner	DVD Burner	DVD Burner	DVD Burner	DVD Burner
Sprint Mobile Broadband	Yes		Yes	Yes	Yes
Current Price (US$)	1999.99	2059.99	2099.99	2349.99	3999.99

*These are preconfigured models. Sony also offers the VGN-Z590 and VGN-Z540 Configure-to-Order VAIO Z.