Sony Notebook PCs: The Look for Spring Is Slim, Wireless and Ready to Burn

Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring brings fresh new firsts to Sony's line of VAIO notebooks. The lineup, announced today, includes the smallest portable DVD burning notebook on the market. Sony's new notebooks are also among the first to sport the new Intel Centrino mobile technology for connecting to both IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks.

The three new model lines encompass the PCG-Z1WA, PCG-V505EX and PCG-TR3A families of ultra-portable notebooks. Elegant styling and award-winning industrial design are further enhanced by expanded Wi-Fi wireless networking options. The Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 BG chip in each of the new lines enable effortlessly access to the Internet in environments using the most popular wireless protocols.

"The key to mobility is having your technology turned on, and on-hand," said Hideyuki Furumi, vice president of VAIO product marketing for Sony Electronics Inc. "Lightweight, powerful and stylish, VAIO notebooks are a joy to have with you. And connectivity with the proliferation of wireless hotspots will ensure that you are productive on the road and around town."

Three-pound Production Studio
Sony's smallest and lightest full-featured notebook can now be configured as a highly mobile editing and production suite. The PCG-TRA3P3 model, available exclusively online at www.sonystyle.com, comes equipped with a DVD-RW drive; Sony's exclusive XBRITE display technology for crisp, vivid video playback; and Click to DVD software for one-click conversion of digital camcorder footage to professional quality DVDs.

This model also has a built-in camera that helps users can capture still shots or video directly to the hard drive or participate in live web conferencing over either 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networks. Barely larger than a hard back novel, the entire unit can be tucked under an arm or in a bag and taken wherever inspiration leads.

Sized to Fit Your Lifestyle or Your Carry-on
Beyond the TRA3 line with its 10.6-inch wide-format display, the other new series offer two additional steps up in size. The V505EX features a 12.1-inch display and built-in CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, which is ideal for working on the road or viewing your own in-flight movie. The Z1WA offers a bit more real estate with a full-sized keyboard and 14.1-inch display in a package that weighs less than five pounds.

Outfitted for Entertainment
All three families of notebooks come with Sony's suite of easy-to-use multimedia software, including SonicStage software for managing digital music files and DVgate Plus video editing software which allows for capturing and export of digital video to and from DV and MICROMV camcorders. The application also includes one-click video capture and precision editing features for easy-to-use, high quality video editing.

Each also has VAIO Media software, Sony's simple interface for sharing digital content among PCs or consumer electronics devices on a home network.

Sony's spring line of ultra-portable PCs will be available this month at retail outlets nationwide and online at www.sonystyle.com. Prices start at about $1,900 for the V505EX series and range to about $2,300 for the Z1WA series. The base configuration TR3A model will sell for about $2,100, and about $3,000 for the model with a DVD burner.

Source: Sony Electronics Inc.