Hasta La Gadget!

Not so much of a surprise now, but Sony’s bringing its 10.1-inch Vaio W stateside as well, and yes, according to the Sony reps we talked to, this time they really do mean to call it a netbook, unlike its Vaio P brethren. Likewise, with that nomenclature comes none too surprising specs, including a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 160GB HDD, 1GB RAM, Windows XP, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, VGA out, two USB ports, Ethernet, webcam, and MemoryStick / SD card readers. The three cell battery should last an estimated three hours, and like usual there’s also an option for six cell. That isolated (read: chiclet) keyboard is said to be 86% the size of a normal typing surface, and the aforementioned bundled VAIO Media plus software enables content streaming across DLNA-enabled devices like the PC or PlayStation 3.

Now for what’s missing: the reps stressed this an “in-home” product for them, and as such there’s no talk of 3G or GPS, nor should hold your breath for an optical drive or SSD option. The company stressed the hardware’s build quality here, and while we’ll have to wait until we get our hands on to validate, like we said before, the pics aren’t exactly flattering when you look at what the competition is producing. All that’s left to discuss for now is the release date, pricing, and color options, so in order: just around the $500 mark, mid-August, and berry pink, sugar white and cocoa brown. Welcome to the bottom, guys. Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Sony Vaio W netbook now official in US, coming August for $499

Filed under: Laptops

Sony Vaio W netbook now official in US, coming August for $499 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I love the idea of a Vaio netbook, but the only thing that actually gets me going about the first of inevitably many Sony Vaio W netbooks is the 1366×768 10.1-inch screen (which ain’t even unique). It’s pretty, though.

And that is the selling point, almost entirely, over other netbooks. It’s prettier (admittedly, it is). But that’s less compelling now that it was six months ago, when netbooks were universally miserable looking machines. When I asked what distinguishes the Vaio W from the other third wave premium netbooks—notably the Asus Eee Seashell and HP’s new aluminum and magnesium-clad Mini, which are just $430 and $450 respectively, Sony pointed at its “stunning” colors, like its “very stylish” brown. That would hold more weight if this lovely paint job and design (I dig the trackpad a lot) were applied to metal, so it came with a notably superior build quality too. But it’s plastic.

Your only choice is which of the three colors you want. There’s a single hardware configuration, and the specs are pedestrian, save for the 1366×768 10.1-inch screen: Atom N280, 160GB HDD (5400rpm), 1GB RAM, wireless N, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, and a pair of USB ports.

To their credit, Sony has learned from the Vaio P (though it has a totally different audience) and plans to make it painfully clear that users shouldn’t expect an experience comparable to a regular notebook. Talk of establishing a “clear gulf” between their netbooks and “mainstream” notebooks also made it clear to me they’re not interested in dabbling in netbooks that straddle the weird, blurry line between netbook and notebook in either with experiments like Ion, either.

I’ll withhold final judgment until I use it, but so far Sony’s first ever bona fide Vaio netbook is having the extremely odd effect of just making the Vaio P not-a-netbook look even better. (As long as it’s running Windows 7.) If I’m going to pay extra scratch for design, I might as well go all the way, right?

Sony DEBUTS HOT NEW Mini Notebook IN COOL NEW COLORS

VAIO W Series Ideal for Casual Computing and Staying Connected

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2009 – Sony today took the wraps off its chic new line of mini notebooks- the VAIO® W Series.

Featuring an ultra-portable design, the W Series is perfect for using as a secondary PC, in any room of the house, for surfing the web, checking e-mail, and social networking.

The W model comes in three vibrant colors- berry pink, sugar white and cocoa brown. A more subtle shade of the exterior hue finishes the inside of the PC while the touchpad is lined with a splash of brightness.

“The W Series lets you quickly look something up online whether searching for a recipe in the kitchen or relaxing on your recliner- there’s no need to trudge upstairs to your office,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of the VAIO business group at Sony. “And it’s sturdy enough for the kids to use, making it perfect for every member of the family.”

The W Series incorporates a high-resolution, 1366 x 768, LED backlit 10.1-inch (measured diagonally) ultra-wide display, making it easy to view two full web pages- no side-to-side scrolling necessary.

The model features an isolated keyboard with springy and responsive keys making it comfortable and easy to use. Its carefully designed touchpad and mouse keys make the PC functional and mouse movements easy to control.

-more-

The W Series unit is ENERGY STAR® 5.0 compliant, EPEAT Gold registered and incorporates eco-conscious features such as a mercury-free LED backlit LCD. Its corrugated cardboard packaging is comprised of 95 percent recycled content. Sony will also help recycle your old PC (www.sony.com/green; recycling fees may apply).

The model comes with VAIO Media plus Multimedia Streaming software, a media sharing application that lets you wirelessly stream content across DLNA®-enabled devices throughout your home network. Stream video, music and pictures from your W Series to your compatible primary PC or PLAYSTATION®3 and vice-versa and enjoy your content anywhere in the home including on your big-screen TV.

Easily transfer data, such as photos from your digital camera or music from an MP3 player, to and from the PC with the unit’s two convenient USB ports. Incorporated Bluetooth® technology enables peripherals such as a wireless mouse to be utilized without tying up the unit’s ports.

A built-in webcam and microphone let you video chat with family, friends and colleagues. A third-party internet service provider is required.

A roomy 160GB hard drive has been included providing ample storage for all your photos, files and videos. It comes pre-installed with Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition operating system.

The VAIO W Series mini notebook will retail for about $500. It is available for pre-orders today online at www.sonystyle.com/pr/w. It will also be sold at Sony Style® stores and at other major retailers around the country starting next month.

[Sony Style]

In the tech world you often get what you pay for. With that old adage in mind, one shouldn’t really expect all that much from the $.99 HP Mini 110c currently available from Best Buy. That said, a buck doesn’t seem like a big price to pay for a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 process, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive, right?

What about $.99 plus $1,440? Thing is, one’s calculations should be more akin to buying a cell phone. That sub-$1 price tag is actually subsidized by Sprint, meaning, in order to actually get the netbook, you’ve got to opt into a two-year data plan at $60 a month.

So the moral, perhaps, is, you get what you pay for, so it’s important to check the fine print to find out how much you’re really paying.

Let’s make this the day that “@TechSaver” becomes a trending topic on Twitter. Who’s with me?

1. You say you’d like a notebook, but you don’t want to carry all that bulk? You’d prefer something under two-and-a-half pounds that saves room by not having an optical drive? I’ve got just the thing for you: it’s called a “netbook.” No one knows why it’s called that, but you can use it for going on the Net. BestBuy.com has the Asus Eee PC 1005HAB netbook for $299, which is a good deal. This model has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, a generous 160GB hard drive, a 10.1-inch display, and 802.11 b/g/n connectivity.

2. Way up north, Abe’s of Maine has gotten a good deal on Kodak Zx1 HD video cameras, and he’s passing the savings on to you. This camera comes in cherry red, which is awesome, and shoots 720p HD video. It’s nicely compact, so you can always have it on hand when you need it. Grab one for $129.95 with free shipping, and save an additional $10 if you use the code “Dealnews10” at checkout.

3. If you’re having trouble receiving digital TV signals, consider the Thomson ANT1500 indoor antenna. Buy.com has it for $28.93 with free shipping. It works with digital capable TVs or with digital converter boxes. I like the flat design, and the fact that it’s easy to hide behind furniture.

We knew we’d see cheap / free subsidized netbooks eventually, and here we are: Best Buy and Sprint are offering up a Compaq-branded HP Mini 110c for just 99 cents when you sign a two-year data contract. Yeah, it looks good on paper, especially since AT&T and Verizon will ding you $199 for the same machine, but we just don’t think it’s worth it: at $60 a month for service, you’ll be spending $1,440 for two years of pain with that 1.6GHz Atom, 1GB of RAM and three-cell battery. We’d say you’re way better off grabbing a 3G USB stick you can use with multiple machines, or, if you’re feeling particularly baller, throwing down for a MiFi and kicking it mobile hotspot style — it’ll cost the same $60 a month from Sprint, but you’ll be able to get five machines online at once. But that’s just us — any of you particularly hot for this almost-free netbook?

[Via jkOnTheRun]

Filed under: Laptops

Sprint first to offer a 99-cent netbook, but is it worth it? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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