Sony Vaio: Something's coming... What is it?

[Reggie]

Just visited the Sony Vaio (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/-/-/-/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=cpu) page and a small Flash movie is popping up regarding "Ingenuity" and it's "To be continued..."

Anyone with more info?

[Baker1369]

I would be willing to bet Sony is gonna come out with some snazzy tablet pc...it seems logical since they like to be cutting edge on everything...that is a cool flash movie though...whatever it is, I want one now :)

[Our Blu]

And possibly using the upcoming Centrino platform from intel that consists of the new Pentium M (aka: Banias) and integrated wireless? That is what's holding me back from purchasing a laptop right now though not necessarily Vaio as I'm partial to the Fujitsu S series at the moment. But I never count out Sony to win over.

[Reggie]

A source has told me sometime December that Sony never planned on using the tablet pc (Win XP Tablet edition).

But then, Sony can always create their 'own' version... This will be interesting...

[Dazey]

At first I thought this might be a tablet PC but it looks to be a wireless TV that can also surf the net or something. It's called "air board"

The Sony air board site. (http://www.sony.jp/airboard/indexpc.html)

The shapes don't really look the same as the one in the flash on the US VAIO site either so they are probably not the same units. I would love to see a VAIO laptop that can compete with the G4 power books. Not only the screen size and DVD burning but weight as well. 8+lbs is not acceptable for mobile device in my book.

[Reggie]

Originally posted by Our Blu
And possibly using the upcoming Centrino platform from intel that consists of the new Pentium M (aka: Banias) and integrated wireless? That is what's holding me back from purchasing a laptop right now though not necessarily Vaio as I'm partial to the Fujitsu S series at the moment. But I never count out Sony to win over.

Just read about the Intel Centrino and looks very interesting... Here's the Intel link:

http://www.intel.com/products/mobiletechnology/demo/business.htm?iid=ipp_mobiletech+overview&

[Our Blu]

It could possibly be the airboard which would be a disappointment to me. Sounds cool nonetheless. When I visited the airboard site I spend most of my time looking for the green power button thats revealed in the original Vaio Flash but I couldn't find it, leaving me hope that it's something a lot more interesting than the airboard.

[Reggie]

Originally posted by Dazey
...I would love to see a VAIO laptop that can compete with the G4 power books. Not only the screen size and DVD burning but weight as well. 8+lbs is not acceptable for mobile device in my book.

Have you seen the new Vaio V505 ultra-light laptop (http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/FlashDemo/v505/v505.swf) that just came out? It's less than 5 lbs and has a P4 processor (first for an ultra-light). It doesn't have DVD burning, only CDRW-DVD. But you can puchase a sleek exteranal Vaio DVD burner (http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/250x250/PCGADVRW1.jpg) for around $599.

[Reggie]

I'm not sure it's the Airboard either since 'Airboard' seems like is not under the Vaio product line. The pop-up flash window has a 'Vaio' title.

[JackAxe]

This will be another SONY notebook that stops working one day after the warranty expires and is obsolete 2 days after purchase. Sorry, to me SONY is only second to Gateway when it comes to crapy notebooks.

<]=P

[SprSaiyan8]

interesting... cuold it be sony new platform for they new vaio

[Pseudo Nim]

The V505 is not impressive, they've been out in Japan for some time... as far as I know (could be mistaken, but don't think so) the V505 is based on the previous-gen R505, which was a ultraslim laptop that used a docking station that came bundled with it for all connectivity. The only problem is, it's not THAT ultrathin if you compare it to the competition (http://www.sharp.co.jp/mebius/index.html).... I really, really hope Sony stretches its designer muscle and comes out with a true ultra-portable laptop. I'm itching to buy one, but I'm still on the fence as to how much I need it... if Sony can beat the Sharp Mebius Muramasa, though, then I'm sold. So sold.

-pN

[FiloD]

It can be the new Intel Centrino coming out Mar 12. I think Sony will use one of their current platform like the Vaio 505 with of course a little twist in number..

Sony is ok in notebooks - who in the industry does not come out with a new product every 6 months anyway when it comes to computers.

PDA, computers, softwares - they will keep on changing. New Windows is coming out in 2004, etc...

[Shogmaster]

Originally posted by Pseudo Nim
The V505 is not impressive, they've been out in Japan for some time... as far as I know (could be mistaken, but don't think so) the V505 is based on the previous-gen R505, which was a ultraslim laptop that used a docking station that came bundled with it for all connectivity. The only problem is, it's not THAT ultrathin if you compare it to the competition (http://www.sharp.co.jp/mebius/index.html).... I really, really hope Sony stretches its designer muscle and comes out with a true ultra-portable laptop. I'm itching to buy one, but I'm still on the fence as to how much I need it... if Sony can beat the Sharp Mebius Muramasa, though, then I'm sold. So sold.

-pN

Hello~ McFly~ The V505 has an internal optical drive. :rolleyes:

It's easy to make less than an inch thick laptop if you don't have to stick in an optical drive.

[UKClieBoy]

The same Flash movie snippets are on the Japanese Vaio site too, so that would rule out any of the existing products that are in Japan and not the US/Europe.

Has anyone noticed what looks like a hinge next to that power button? They are talking-up ingenuity, so it may be a new form of SRX or C1 ultraportable, as these have not been updated in Japan or the US for a while now.

[Reggie]

Originally posted by Pseudo Nim
The V505 is not impressive, they've been out in Japan for some time... as far as I know (could be mistaken, but don't think so) the V505 is based on the previous-gen R505, which was a ultraslim laptop that used a docking station that came bundled with it for all connectivity. The only problem is, it's not THAT ultrathin if you compare it to the competition (http://www.sharp.co.jp/mebius/index.html).... I really, really hope Sony stretches its designer muscle and comes out with a true ultra-portable laptop. I'm itching to buy one, but I'm still on the fence as to how much I need it... if Sony can beat the Sharp Mebius Muramasa, though, then I'm sold. So sold.

-pN

Well, the Mebius looks good but it uses only a Crusoe 1Ghz processor and doesn't come with a built in optical drive. Although the V505 has an optional docking station for extra ports, I would think that no one would actually need one. As for the R505, the docking station contains the optical drive which made it thick and heavy but without it makes it pretty slim.

If we're matching against processors, for Crusoe's, I'd go with the Vaio U3 (http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-U3/), for PIII, I'd go for the SRX99, for P4, V505. Again, the V505 is the first slim laptop accross all brands.

Another good thing about Vaios is the built in Memory Stick reader. I'm sure they'll get to read the new Memory Stick Pros.

[Pseudo Nim]

Originally posted by Shogmaster


Hello~ McFly~ The V505 has an internal optical drive. :rolleyes:

It's easy to make less than an inch thick laptop if you don't have to stick in an optical drive.

Hello ~ Shogmaster ~ I was talking about ultraslim/ultraportable laptops. A 4+ lb laptop at over 1.5" thick is NOT an ultraportable. I'm talking about stuff you can carry in your hand on the train without even needing a bag for it, really. Like a glorified Clie. And my name isn't McFly.

:rolleyes:

[Pseudo Nim]

I wonder why nobody except Apple uses slot-loading drives? They could probably save a good 5mm on the locking mechanism alone... wonder if Apple has a patent on that?

-pN

[L-3]

Originally posted by JackAxe
This will be another SONY notebook that stops working one day after the warranty expires and is obsolete 2 days after purchase. Sorry, to me SONY is only second to Gateway when it comes to crapy notebooks.

&lt;]=P

Hmmm..Have a bad experience with a Vaio?

I actually think they're pretty well put together.&nbsp; I got my wife a custom built&nbsp;laptop. She uses it for all the basics as well as video editing (we then send the file to our RZ workstation to burn the DVD), it's got WiFi built in (internal) so she can take it outside to keep an eye on the kids, &nbsp;its great to swap memory sticks with our Clie's for backup and our Dig.camera, our camcorder plugs into the firewire port for seamless video transfer and she just went on a trip with it and loved the added bonus that she could watch DVD's on the plane and in her hotel room.

Our 1 year-old bangs on the keyboard and folds the screen open and closed&nbsp;(when he gets there faster than we can), and has&nbsp;caused a 18" drop to the floor. It's extremely durable with no signs of damage.

And with all of this use/abuse, she's never had a crash, BSOD or significant failure of any kind. (aside from the occasional XP induced&nbsp;glitches...)

If I didn't already have my Dell (from work) I'd have gotten one for myself too...&nbsp; Go Sony!

[Shogmaster]

Originally posted by Pseudo Nim


Hello ~ Shogmaster ~ I was talking about ultraslim/ultraportable laptops. A 4+ lb laptop at over 1.5" thick is NOT an ultraportable. I'm talking about stuff you can carry in your hand on the train without even needing a bag for it, really. Like a glorified Clie. And my name isn't McFly.

:rolleyes:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: This is what you said:

The V505 is not impressive, they've been out in Japan for some time... as far as I know (could be mistaken, but don't think so) the V505 is based on the previous-gen R505, which was a ultraslim laptop that used a docking station that came bundled with it for all connectivity. The only problem is, it's not THAT ultrathin if you compare it to the competition.... I really, really hope Sony stretches its designer muscle and comes out with a true ultra-portable laptop. I'm itching to buy one, but I'm still on the fence as to how much I need it... if Sony can beat the Sharp Mebius Muramasa, though, then I'm sold. So sold.

-pN

You are the one who's trying to compare V505 (with a freakin Pentium 4 and an internal optical drive!) with a Crusoe equipped Ultra portable without optical drive. What's next? Comparing Ford F350 pickup and Mazda Miata? :rolleyes:

[Importluva]

I like how sony has all of their stuff integrate with each other. I guess that is the benefit of proprietary hardware

[davy19]

There is a new mobile chipset coming next week:

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20030108corp.htm


It is probably referring to the above.


It looks really good.

[Unregistered]

Are you talking about the Sharp with the cradle?It's thin, yes, but its footprint isn't THAT impressive. The U3 beats it handily as far as mobility goes.

[Baker1369]

I can't wait to see what is going to be announced at CeBit...

[Our Blu]

Sony has a slightly different flash up now revealing another "piece of the puzzle" so to speak. It looks like two metallic buttons seated side by side not unlike the buttons beneath a touchpad on laptops. But I doubt it's going to be a laptop because if it were I'd expect it to show up on the Vaio Notebooks section, not just the Computers section.

[Reggie]

Hmm. First it was "Ingenuity" with a picture of a hinge, now it says: "Unprecedented" with two buttons...

[Mr. Thompson]

Originally posted by JackAxe
This will be another SONY notebook that stops working one day after the warranty expires and is obsolete 2 days after purchase. Sorry, to me SONY is only second to Gateway when it comes to crapy notebooks.

<]=P

In the old days I had a couple of Sony built PowerBooks. My current laptop is an aging PIII Vaio I picked up in November of 99. All of them have performed flawlessly, despite abuse that most laptops don't see like traveling in a motorcycle saddlebag on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, I am no Sony fanboy. I will NEVER buy another Trinitron monitor again, but I will seriously consider replacing my current Sony laptop with another Sony.

[UKClieBoy]

Am I just imagining it, or if you go to www.vaio.net they are showing a side-on view of a new Vaio notebook. The CD/DVD drive is clearly visible. The link leads to the Flash movie that has been floating around since yesterday.

[UKClieBoy]

And now on the Vaio Japan site there is another Flash movie. It looks like this new Vaio is hinged down the centre, so that it stands up like an open book! Weird!

[_QT_]

Hi,

i think, it is the brandnew Z1-Series with Intel Centrino Technology.
Some Specs:

Intel Pentium-M 1,6GHz (Speed ~ Pentium4-M 2,4 GHz)
256/512 MB DDR RAM
40/60 GB HDD
16 MB ATI Mobility Radeon
WLAN and Bluetooth builtin
CD-RW/DVD-Combo-Drive
MS-Slot
Modem/LAN
14" TFT with 1400 x 1050
slim-design

Click here for a image (http://www.geocities.com/qt_space/z1.htm)

[jiserrab]

Originally posted by _QT_
Hi,

i think, it is the brandnew Z1-Series with Intel Centrino Technology.
Some Specs:

Intel Pentium-M 1,6GHz (Speed ~ Pentium4-M 2,4 GHz)
256/512 MB DDR RAM
40/60 GB HDD
16 MB ATI Mobility Radeon
WLAN and Bluetooth builtin
CD-RW/DVD-Combo-Drive
MS-Slot
Modem/LAN
14" TFT with 1400 x 1050
slim-design

Click here for a image (http://www.geocities.com/qt_space/z1.htm)

That definately looks like "A NEW WAVE" :cool:

[Jeffry]

Jeez reminds me of an Apple Powerbook.

[Reggie]

A new flash is now up... "Uncompromising" showing part of the keyboard having LED's for the built-in Wireless LAN and Bluetooth.

I think it's not the Z1. It looks like a new desktop. Yesterday, there was a flash over at the Japanese site showing the CRT with sort of flip speakers...

[Shogmaster]

Reggie, it's totally the Z1. You can plainly tell from that photo he provided and the flash. Shows the same design details.

[Joel]

Originally posted by Jeffry
Jeez reminds me of an Apple Powerbook.

....but not at powerbook prices. :D

[UKClieBoy]

It is still strange how one of the Flash movies showed the desktop icons orientated next to the hinges and that the circular speaker/button is not evident in the Z1 picture on QT. This notebook either has some special ability, or Sony are mixing the Flash movies for 2 different products together! Could be some more surprises in store...!

[UKClieBoy]

My mistake, the speakers are definitely there on the Z1 picture. But what is it with those icons???

[_QT_]

Originally posted by _QT_
Hi,

i think, it is the brandnew Z1-Series with Intel Centrino Technology.
Some Specs:

Intel Pentium-M 1,6GHz (Speed ~ Pentium4-M 2,4 GHz)
256/512 MB DDR RAM
40/60 GB HDD
16 MB ATI Mobility Radeon
WLAN and Bluetooth builtin
CD-RW/DVD-Combo-Drive
MS-Slot
Modem/LAN
14" TFT with 1400 x 1050
slim-design

Click here for a image (http://www.geocities.com/qt_space/z1.htm)

Pricing Info:

Z1 w/ 512 MB / 60 GB ~ 2900 €
Z1 w/ 256 MB / 40 GB ~ 2400 €

[jiserrab]

The "new wave" icon on the sony web page is a logo/representtion of the side of this new Z1 lap top. Look at QT's pics at the side...sort of "s" shaped like the "new wave" logo.

[Willber-Force]

Whatever it is.. rest assured.... it will have two buttons. :rolleyes:

[_QT_]

Hi,

Here are new pics!! (http://www.conics.net/teaser/)
Check it out.

[Jeffry]

I really don't like the design at all. But that's just me.

[SprSaiyan8]

Has anyone seen the TV ads about Intel?? it says something about changing the face of computers the Flash movie snippets
is all most identical maybe this has some connection to the new VAIO

[Reggie]

http://www.conics.net/teaser/mar-10/teaser-mar-10.jpg

Based on this new pic, I would now agree that it is a laptop since the right thumb can make use of the navigation buttons (or is it a mouse?). Notice that it's on top of the Num lock key.

[SwissDan]

Reggie,

Sony has the U1/U3 Series in Japan, there is a "Thumb phrase" option. Maybe this is it?

Dan

[SwissDan]

Oups, i forget the link...

http://shop.conics.net/sony-vu/u1/

[SprSaiyan8]

sony has a new Flash movie snippets up

[sindu]

whatever it is, it sure looks exiciting...i hope it is something that i can be parted with my wallet and my IBM.

[davy19]

todl you it all about centrino

[Joel]

Well, it's official.

The Vaio Z1 (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=N8_lBvFqOdflBs8FvkTvDb5lmMv94psuFos=?CatalogCategoryID=WVAKC0%2eNNQYAAADzS98TluG2&ProductID=WwIKC0%2eNOocAAADz_o0TluHA&Dept=cpu) is "slim, sexy, and unattached!" cool catch phrase. :)

The next question is, will Reggie get one? ;)

[Jeffry]

Originally posted by fireball
"slim, sexy, and unattached!" cool catch phrase. :)

Ewww.. The design is not as impressive in my opinion. I rather get a Powerbook ;)

[Reggie]

In Sony Japan's site, two laptops were announced. The other was the next version of U3.

Will I get the Z1? No. I'll still go for the v505. Can't find too much of a difference between the two except for the processor, the higher resolution screen option, and the price (!). Besides, Centrino hasn't proven itself yet and Sony is risking to be one of the first to make use of it. ;)

[sindu]

Originally posted by Reggie
In Sony Japan's site, two laptops were announced. The other was the next version of U3.

Will I get the Z1? No. I'll still go for the v505. Can't find too much of a difference between the two except for the processor, the higher resolution screen option, and the price (!). Besides, Centrino hasn't proven itself yet and Sony is risking to be one of the first to make use of it. ;)

Futsiju launch life book with Centrino last week in Singapore.

[FiloD]

It is not only sony that is offering the centrino - all are now dell, hp, toshiba... anyone knwo of any Sony Vaio Forums? Want to find out more about the centrino in the boards. Thanks.

[Shogmaster]

Originally posted by Reggie
In Sony Japan's site, two laptops were announced. The other was the next version of U3.

Will I get the Z1? No. I'll still go for the v505. Can't find too much of a difference between the two except for the processor, the higher resolution screen option, and the price (!). Besides, Centrino hasn't proven itself yet and Sony is risking to be one of the first to make use of it. ;)

Are you nuts? Everyone and their mama's are making Centrino laptops, and they are for sale RIGHT NOW. You can walk in to Best Buy TODAY and walk out with a Centrino Toshiba laptop, the S405.

IBM, Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, HP, Compaq, you name it, they already have Centrino laptops ready. Infact, Sony will the one of the last guys to have a Centrino notebook that ships.

Centrino is the real deal. THE mobile proc we've all been waiting for (all of us PC guys anyways ;)). Power AND stamina. None of that no power for sake of battery life like the Crusoe. It's benching better than the P4 in a bunch of practcial apps, and still showing 25% or better battery life inprovement!

Better get in line or get out of the game, cause if you don't offer a Centrino laptop, you're gonna be an also ran.