Items tagged with VAIO
All signs point to Microsoft putting Lumia brand out to pasture following the release of the Lumia 650 later this month. Microsoft’s flagship Windows 10 Mobile smartphone duties will reportedly be transferred over to the Surface team, which has built quite a reputation for itself with swanky hardware like the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. In the mean time, we’ve got a fresh entry into the Windows 10 Mobile field, and it comes from an unlikely source. The VAIO brand is back with a vengeance, and it is entering the phone business with… the Phone Biz. We’re still scratching out heads as to why VAIO went with Windows 10 Mobile, which is treading water in the low single-digits in global market share,...
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VAIO is back, baby, and in a big way. A year and a half after Sony sent its PC brand packing, VAIO makes a return to the U.S. market with the VAIO Z Canvas, a premium 2-in-1 device that's like a supercharged Surface Pro tablet powered by Intel's Core i7-4770HQ processor based on Haswell.That's a quad-core chip with Hyper Threading support and 6MB of cache. It has a base clockspeed of 2.2GHz and a Turbo speed of 3.4GHz, along with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200, providing plenty of grunt to power the 12.3-inch WQXGA+ (2560x1704) IPS display.Other features include up to 16GB of DDR3L-1600 memory, up to 256GB of solid state storage, SD card reader, two USB 3.0 ports (one of which is powered), GbE...
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Vaio computers are coming back to the U.S., but much has changed since Sony sold off its struggling PC business last year and the new owners, Japan Industrial Partners' Vaio Corp pulled the brand from the U.S. The company now feels prepared to reenter the U.S. market and will soon launch a tablet called the Vaio Z Canvas at Microsoft retail stores. The Vaio Canvas Z is a 12.3-inch tablet with a built-in stand and a detachable keyboard. Expected to have an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of memory, the tablet should be a performance beast. Vaio Corp also plans to load the Canvas Z with a 256GB SSD for storage. Vaio Canvas ZVaio Corpfaces a tough market, but it has a different strategy for the...
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Anyone who possesses a valid Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license is eligible to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. That includes owners of Sony VAIO machines, though if you're rocking a VAIO, you're strongly urged to put off upgrading. Sony says it hasn't worked out proper drivers for Windows 10 just yet and is asking owners to be patient for at least a couple of months."Although Microsoft is offering the Windows 10 upgrade, it is strongly recommended that you wait to install it until the drivers and installation instructions are available for your VAIO PC," Sony warns on its support page for VAIO systems.Sony's support page also contains a roadmap for when drivers and applications will be updated...
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It was a year ago this month that Sony sold its VAIO PC business to investment firm Japan Industrial Partners Inc., thus signaling a likely end to the VAIO brand in the U.S., at least on computers. Is that still the case? We're not sure, though in Japan, a pair of new VAIO Z convertible laptops is launching. The VAIO Z represents a new start for the VAIO brand -- the "Z" stands for "zero." It's not clear what this new start will mean for markets outside of Japan, but in the immediate future, the forthcoming VAIO Z and VAIO Z Canvas are a couple of interesting looking laptops. Sony's VAIO Z is the top dog out of the two. It sports a 13.3-inch display (which can flip and fold...
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The restructuring road Sony finds itself on after deciding to sell its VAIO brand PC business isn't without its bumps and challenges. As such, Sony has gone and revised its consolidated results forecast for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 to reflect a preliminary net loss of 130 billion yen (around $1,3 billion) for the 12-month period. Even with the success Sony is having with its PlayStation 4 console, the numbers are coming in lower than expected. Sony's decision to stop selling computers is partially to blame, as the electronics maker noted about 30 billion yen (around $293 million) in additional costs related to exiting the PC business. Image Source: Flickr (Janitors) "Since Sony’s...
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Battery issues aren't as common as they once were, but every so often, there's still a model that pops up as being a potential threat to human safety. Slight exaggerations aside, Sony has just announced that some 26,000 of its newest Vaio machines posed a fire risk. The batteries are built by Panasonic, and Sony believes that they could "overheat and catch fire." Because of that, Sony's requesting that users of its Vaio Fit 11A laptop stop computing on them as soon as possible. Presently, Sony has only received three reports of overheating batteries, but here's the kicker: they've caused "partial burns" to the laptops involved. The first report came on March 19th, with two more following on March...
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Sony is officially leaving the PC business. Instead, the company will focus on smartphones and tablets and also work to make its TV unit profitable. The venerable company has been trying to turn its PC unit around for a while now but announced that, due to the “drastic changes” in the PC industry and other internal factors, it feels that selling off its PC assets is the best move. No more of this... Sony is selling its VAIO brand to Japan Industrial Partners, Inc. (JIP), which sell the computers to consumers and businesses in Japan under a new brand, at least at first. The deal should be completed by the end of March, and Sony will no longer sell its VAIO machines after the spring...
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The Sony VAIO Tap 21 is a member of a small, but growing, breed of new PCs that straddles a line between traditional all-in-one desktops and tablets. The VAIO Tap 21’s specifications read like many modern desktop systems, and include an Intel Core i7 processor, hybrid storage, a decent amount of memory and full-blown Windows 8. But the machine is also surprisingly svelte, it’s got a full HD, multi-touch screen and it packs an integrated battery that gives users the ability to simply pick up the system and go. Of course, the VAIO Tap 21’s physical dimensions prevent it from being truly portable, but being able to move the system virtually anywhere and operate on battery...
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The Sony VAIO Tap 21 is a member of a small, but growing, breed of new PCs that straddles a line between traditional all-in-one desktops and tablets. The VAIO Tap 21’s specifications read like many modern desktop systems, and include an Intel Core i7 processor, hybrid storage, a decent amount of memory and full-blown Windows 8. But the machine is also surprisingly svelte, it’s got a full HD, multi-touch screen and it packs an integrated battery that gives users the ability to simply pick up the system and go. Of course, the VAIO Tap 21’s physical dimensions prevent it from being truly portable, but being able to move the system virtually anywhere and operate on battery...
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There’s a deluge of tantalizing mobile products pouring out of IFA in Berlin this year--see our recent coverage for more--and here’s another: Sony announced the VAIO Tap 11, the “world’s thinnest” Windows 8 tablet PC, which measures 9.9mm in depth without its keyboard dock. For comparison, the Microsoft Surface Pro, which appears to be the VAIO Tap 11’s closest competition, is about 13.4mm. Sony has yet to share gritty details on the VAIO Tap 11, but the 11.6-inch device does have a full HD display, runs Windows 8, has an Intel Core processor, and enjoys SSD storage. There’s an 8MP rear camera and the promise of quality audio with ClearAudio+ technology...
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Sony has a new line of entry-level notebooks bearing the VAIO Fit moniker, and they’re aimed at both businesses and students. Models include the VAIO Fit 14 and 15 and the VAIO Fit 14E and 15E; all are designed to be “super” thin and light with tough aluminum shells for better durability. The Fit 14 model has an LED-backlit display resolution of 1600x900 while the Fit 15 offers Full HD 1920x1080; both include color enhancement technology and an optional capacitive touchscreen. Their webcams feature Exmore R CMOS sensors for better performance in low light. Sony is emphasizing the notebooks’ audio prowess, as they feature ClearAudio+ sound which is designed to offer better...
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You have to give Sony credit for trying new things; the company announced a gaggle of new T series, E series, and S series computers, but more notable is a tablet/notebook hybrid called the VAIO Duo 11 Ultrabook and the VAIO Tap 20, a tabletop PC designed for families. The Duo 11 is an interesting take on the promising tablet/ultrabook type of mobile device; the display flips up at an angle to reveal a full notebook keyboard, and it slides down into place to give users a tablet experience with an 11.6-inch, ten-point multi-touch screen. The unit weighs just 2.84 pounds and includes a pressure-sensitive digital pen (with interchangeable tips) for handy note-taking input. There are few details...
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The Ultrabook category is still alive and well, and in fact, still growing. Sony has just announced a new VAIO S, available in 13.3" and 15.5" screen sizes. The S Series 13 and 15 will ship with rigid cases crafted from magnesium, aluminium and carbon fibre (depends on model), with the S Series 15 models tipping the scales at below 2kg. All S Series feature a new slot-in optical drive (Blu-ray Disc or DVD), and the VAIO Display Premium is also available on S Series 13 models. Larger screen-size S Series 15 models feature a Full HD VAIO Display Plus, offering super-wide viewing angles. Inside, you'll get 3rd-gen Intel Core i7 quad-core CPUs, an optional SSD, NVIDIA GeForce hybrid graphics, and...
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The Ultrabook race is far from over, and it's obvious that Intel is going to be pushing the monicker for the foreseeable future. Tons of companies have stretched the mere meaning of the term, but there has been one major absence in the field: Sony. To date, Sony has somehow dodged the temptation to jump into the lucrative Ultrabook market, but that's changing soon. The company has issued their first Ultrabook, the VAIO T Series. It's a 13" machine with an LED display, an optional SSD, up to 9 hours of battery life and an exterior made from magnesium and aluminum. The company's relying on Ultra Low Voltage Intel Core processors, and there's also a large, button-free touchpad that takes advantage...
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Loads of Sony news coming from the IFA 2011 conference over in Berlin, and one piece hits at the heart of our coverage: the new VAIO S laptop series. The company has just revealed a new range of stately, classy notebooks, with a 15.5" Full HD 1080p display and a weight of just 4.4lbs. Moreover, there's a Hybrid Graphics solution for improving battery life, and the entire thing measures under 1" thick. It'll be available in jet black or platinum silver and is crafted with magnesium and aluminum materials for lightness. When coupled with the advanced large- capacity optional sheet battery, you can stay mobile and unplugged for up to 12 hours. 12 hours! Inside, the machine will have a second-gen...
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Say hello to the most beautiful Windows-based laptop ever built. Or, at least that's what some would say. Sony's VAIO Z is easily one of the most stunning machines that we have seen in some time, and it's a modern-day feat of engineering, too. It's quite amazing how much Sony was able to shove into such a thin case, and there's a price premium to show for it. The new VAIO Z is the world's lightest 13" standard-voltage PC, with a "featherweight" case that just looks gorgeous from every angle. It has a .66", 2.5lb. aluminum and carbon fiber chassis, and it uses a new Power Media Dock to deliver the power of an AMD Radeon HD 6650M GPU with 1GB of VRAM. That dock also provides an optical drive, three...
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And now, for Thunderbolt's next trick! So far, the new I/O port has remained pretty much Apple's darling, shipping on modern day iMac and MacBook Pro machines. But now, the PC users can get a taste as well. Sony just announced their new VAIO Z Series, a 13.1" notebook that includes a new Power Media Dock, a standard-voltage Core i7, SSD, high-res (1600x900) anti-reflective display and yes, a Thunderbolt port. But it's not your average Thunderbolt port. But we'll get to that in a moment. The Power Media Dock is unlike anything we've seen to date, offering quad-video monitor support, AMD Radeon HD graphics, an optical disc drive and an HDMI output. At just below 1.2kg and 16.65mm slim, it's definitely...
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There used to be a season for laptop launches. Now, it's just one right after the other. Sony is launching yet another new one this week with the VAIO S Series, a revamped version of a classic that packs a thinner chassis and an optional sheet battery that doubles battery life (up to 15 hours). Select S Series models sport elegant design in burnished brown, jet black or platinum silver with magnesium and aluminum materials, and the 13.3" form factor keeps it mobile enough for those stuck on a coach-class airline seat. The machine measures just 0.95-inches thin, weighs 3.8lbs. and offers a Core i7 processor. There's also Hybrid Graphics, an optional SSD and Intel's Turbo Boost Technology 2.0....
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Sony announced the new VAIO S Series laptop, a thin and light model that features a one-inch profile design and 13.3-inch screen. This line boasts of offering the performance of a larger full-sized PC thanks to the second generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processor options, Hybrid Graphics, and dual channel solid state drive options available on select models. When the S Series built-in lithium polymer battery is coupled with the large-capacity optional sheet battery, Sony claims you'll get an amazing 15 hours of battery life. Additional customization options for this line include an AMD Radeon HD 6630 1GB Hybrid Graphics card, dual channel solid state drive with RAID 0 technology, and a Blu-ray...
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If you subscribe to the 'Core i7 or bust' philosophy, you no longer have to rule out Sony's Vaio Z series laptops. Intel's Core i7 620M processor (2.66GHz) is now an upgrade option, which adds $150 to the price of the standard configuration that comes with a Core i5 540M chip (2.35GHz). That's not a terrible way to spend $150, and if you place your order by July 3rd, you can help offset the cost with a free display upgrade. Between now and then, Sony will upgrade the 13.1-inch display from 1600x900 to 1920x1080 at no charge, saving you $100. So if you were planning on shelling out for the Full HD display anyway, that Core i7 upgrade is a lot easier swallow. Other baseline specs include two 128GB...
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According to Sony, the company's new VAIO Z and Y Series laptops are the world’s first out-of-the box laptops that act as a personal hotspot. Select models from both of these series feature a new Sony embedded wireless technology called Share My Connection, or SMC. Using SMC, your laptop can act as a mobile wireless access point for up to five other devices including other PCs, smartphones, MP3 players, or cameras. You'll need a subscription to use the new SMC feature. Here's how Sony describes the new SMC feature and laptops: A perfect built-in network solution for business travelers, those on-the-go or anyone looking to save some money by sharing a single network connection, Share My...
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