Does anyone remember Sony’s revolutionary Vaio P series? It seems to be a forgotten word until lately for some reason. Only now, it finally gets the update it needed but it doesn’t hold a candle to the tablet’s eclectic experience, does it? Thankfully, the 8-inch netbook (or mini laptop for that matter) we’ve come to know and love, is back with an optical touchpad built to both sides of the screen bezel – pad to the right and mouse buttons to the left – and an integrated accelerometer, to ease your internet surfing mission, as tilt means back and forward in pages while vertical mode makes it a lot more convenient to read your docs. Besides that it’s also expected to include a faster Intel Atom Z560 processor to boost things up, and make it out sometime this June with five new colorful flavors. Prices, regretfully, are yet to be determined while specs and Full PR announcement are just after the break. Stay tuned.
Update1: Turns out that VAIO P entry-level units will run for $799 in the US with Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor inside. Still no clue about other optional packages, but the price is definitely more attractive than expected.
Update2: The guys at ITMedia have already managed to take Sony’s Vaio P next-gen laptops to a comprehensive teardown session that unveiled the existence of Intel’s Silverthorne CPU inside, offered either in Z530 (1.6 GHz), Z550 (2Ghz) or Z560 (2.133 GHz) version, paired with one of three optional SSD capacities (64, 128 and 256GB), and most common connectivity modules, including Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G WWAN and even Wimax. Netbook news has published a lot of inside images, taken from close range, so click through and take a look.
Update3: Engadget’s Joanna Stern has tackled with Sony’s Vaio P second-gen laptop as well and you can watch her quick walkthrough video after the break.
Update4: According to Sony Japan Sony’s Vaio P second-gen can also be used as a wireless “Remote Keyboard” to your PS3 gaming console – neat, isn’t it? Of course it would drain your battery life quickly, but that’s one compromise against so many benefits.
Update5: And looks like Sony’s second-gen VAIO P is finally available for pre-order on the SonyStyle website, starting at $899.99 for the Atom Z530 processor, paired with 2GB of RAM, and a larger 128GB SSD. Shipping is slated to June 25th.
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Full Specifications:
Intel Atom Z540 processor (1.86 GHz) (also available with Z530 and Z560 CPUs)
8-inch screen with 1600×768 resolution
Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit) OS
2GB DDR2 SDRAM
64GB SSD Flash Drive
Two USB ports, one SD card slot, one Memory Stick Duo slot
GPS, digital compass
WLAN 802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
3G built-in
stereo speakers and microphone
webcam
weight: 632g, size: 120×19.8×245 mm
5 hours of battery life
Sony delivers a smarter on-the-move computing experience: Ultra-portable, easy to carry new VAIO P Series
10 May 2010
· Colourful ultra-portable PC weighs just over 600g
· New design for two-handed operation while standing or walking
· GPS and Digital Compass
· Accelerometer sensor
· Built-in Everywair 3G
· Clear, bright, widescreen VAIO Display Plus
· Easy to use with Quick Web Access
It’s smaller than a notebook and smarter than a smartphone: the colourful VAIO P Series from Sony is your perfect partner for on-the-move computing.
Weighing just over 600g and slipping effortlessly into a bag or jacket pocket, new VAIO P Series gives you all the power of a fully-featured Windows® computing experience… and so much more.
Ideal for busy people who can’t sit still, it’s the first VAIO designed for simple operation if you’re standing or walking. The central trackball is complemented by an additional touchpad and mouse buttons. Duplicating the main controls, they’re located at either edge of the screen for comfortable operation with both thumbs while you’re holding the computer in two hands.
VAIO P Series is the first notebook computer from Sony with built-in GPS and a new Digital Compass. Perfect for telling you where you are and what’s happening around you, they can help you find your hotel or a nearby restaurant if you’re standing on the street corner in an unfamiliar city1.
A brand-new VAIO Location Search software offers a real-time map view without tying up your web browser. Your map position and orientation are displayed along with nearby Points of Interest and even local weather conditions.
The ultra-light notebook’s ‘on-the-go’ credentials for travellers are boosted with Everywair 3G on-board, giving high-speed connectivity to mobile networks (where available).
New VAIO P is the first notebook from Sony with a built-in accelerometer that responds to physical movements. Just give VAIO a gentle shake to ‘flick’ through pictures or the pages of a PDF document, or navigate back and forth through your web browsing history.
The sensor also recognises when VAIO P Series is turned on its side, automatically ‘flipping’ the screen for easy reading of documents or web pages in portrait mode. The notebook’s additional mouse buttons are perfectly placed for comfortable page-turning when you’re reading in portrait position – just like a paperback book or magazine.
New VAIO P Series is beautifully designed for easy operation, with a comfortable full-pitch keyboard for easy typing, plus a bright, extra-wide VAIO Display Plus that’s ideally proportioned for viewing movies or two web pages side-by-side. There’s also an ambient light sensor that dims screen illumination for comfortable viewing while saving power.
For extra convenience, dedicated buttons are provided for Quick Web Access and one-touch access to VAIO Care. There’s also a handy new Change Resolution button: instantly select a larger font size for easy on-screen reading, or choose maximum detail for HD movie viewing.
Available in five vibrant colours (black, white, pink, green and orange), the new VAIO P Series is complemented by a choice of stylish accessories that includes a distinctively perforated silicone slip case and carry strap.
The new VAIO P Series ultra-portable notebook computer is available from June 2010.
