Laptops Arena

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In mid-July Sony launches a new business notebook series named VAIO BZ, characterized by durability and portability, without scarifying the high performance required for work on the go.

VAIO BZ are 15.4-inch notebooks with full-size keyboard, encased in magnesium alloy featuring shock-proof, bumps resistance, integrating G-Sensor Shock Protection technology to prevent data loss in case of accidental knocks.
The display comes with the optional XBRITE-ECO LCD technology for clear images and the keyboard has a spill-resistant panel.

VAIO BZ Sony laptop computers are powered by the Intel Centrino 2 technology with vPro technology for remote problem fixing, while there are also wireless draft N technology support, a fingerprint reader, the Trusted Platform Module, card slot, 3 USB ports, i.LINK port, mic, headphone jack and PC Card slot for connectivity to external devices.

The new business notebooks run on Windows Vista Business operating system with the possibility to downgrade to Windows XP Pro.
You can buy a new model at a starting price of $1,000 or trade-in your old portable computer for VAIO BZ Sony laptop computers, paying a lower cost.

"Whether running heavy applications back at the office or closing a deal on the road today's professionals need their PCs to perform - wherever, whenever," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "This notebook delivers the robust performance they require."

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We like to write about Sony VAIO laptops as they all have an elegant look and cool features, but unfortunately we have bad news for those owning a VAIO TZ model. The good news is that the issue is not related to Sony laptop batteries like the last time, but with the encasing and some wires that seem not to be placed where they should. This causes short circuit and overheating. It also may lead to burn hazard to the users.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission independent federal agency in charge with public protection in America, against risks from thousands of customer electronics, has announced that Sony is recalling 73,000 notebook computers, after receiving 15 reports of overheating. The cause of this problem starts inside the computer, where some wires have been placed in the wrong position close to the hinge, and a dislodged screw inside the hinge.
It sounds like a minor issue but with the risk of burning, like some of the customers have complained.

The laptop models recalled are: VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series, all with 11.1-inch screens and all manufactured in Japan and US.
The federal agency said that not all of these notebooks are effected and so customers have to contact Sony’s Customer Support to find out if they need a repair or replacement.

As a matter of precaution, if you own one of these laptops you should stop using it until the damage level is determined.
Sony published on its website the following:

“You will be prompted to input your product code and serial number located on the bottom of the notebook. It will be checked automatically against the range of affected units. If you find that your PC is one of the affected models, follow the instructions on the website and make arrangements for an inspection. You may also call our VAIO TZ customer hotline at 1-888-526-6219 to determine whether your notebook computer is affected by this issue and whether service is required.”

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Sony launched a new laptop series called VAIO Z, creating a perfect equilibrium between mobility and performance via a compact design weighting less than 1.5Kg, a 13.1-inch display diagonal, a 12-layer miniaturized motherboard, and a durable carbon fibre construction resisting at drops from 72cm during operation and 90cm when powered down.

Its 13.1-inch X-black display features LED backlight, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, super-slim bezel, and 1600 x 900 resolution. The Sony’s X-black LCD is a display enhancement boosting the brightness and contrast rendering rich colors with 100% fidelity. With the Stamina Mode option users can switch between 2 graphic chipsets, choosing either the 3D performance provided by the NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS GPU, or the integrated Intel graphics. The latter option increases the battery life up to 5 hours, reducing the graphics performance when not required.



Design enhancements take into account the ergonomic aspect while using the stylish laptop, so the brush-finished aluminum panel surrounding the keys continues to form a comfortable palm rest.

Talking about performance this series brings, we have to mention that it comes with the WWAN technology (3G) for fast mobile broadband speeds reaching 7.2Mbps, thanks to the HSDPA technology. There is also the newest Intel processor technology powering these laptops, the Intel Centrino 2, which delivers increased performance and battery life simultaneously, supporting the upcoming wireless draft N technology.
The Wireless Wide Area Network is a wireless standard using technologies like WIMAX, UMTS, GPRS, CDMA2000, GSM, CDPD, Mobitex, HSDPA or 3G, instead of spread-spectrum or OFDM modulation technology based on radio waves, which is used by WLAN. To use it, the user needs a WWAN card for the notebook, as well as monthly usage subscription at a wireless service provider.



“This is the culmination of ten years of VAIO innovation,” said Hidetoshi Takigawa, Marketing Director for VAIO of Europe. “Incorporating feedback from our discerning and highly demanding customers, the VAIO Z embodies everything the brand stands for – cutting edge excellence in technology, exceptional ergonomics and bold, iconic design. This is a notebook everyone would be proud to own.”

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Sony announced the availability of a new notebook series bringing high definition, Blu-ray and the world’s first 16.4-inch wide screen model with 1600 x 900 pixels. FW series of Sony Vaio laptop computer's design combines the sophisticated function complex of a professional notebook with a feminine stylish finish.
It is a portable multimedia computer weighting just 6 pounds, but that integrated the latest mobile technologies such as the XBRITE-HiColor LCD technology for ultra-sharp images, richer colors and no glare, and HDMI output for High-Definition TV connectivity.

"This PC is a multimedia masterpiece thoughtfully crafted to help consumers enjoy the full excitement of HD," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "It's a shining example of how cutting-edge technologies can be brought together to unlock a world of high-definition entertainment."



We are not surprised to find the new Intel Centrino 2 technology powering this laptop, as Sony prefers to be up to date with the latest improvements such as increased performance and responsiveness, and higher energy efficiency. Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate adds the security such a professional configuration requires.



The new Sony Vaio laptop computer models brings 3 applications which you can play with, and these are: VAIO Movie Story for editing high-quality family movies, and VAIO Media for streaming content through the home network devices like gaming consoles. The Wireless-N technology support is not missing either.
The notebook measures 15.1 x 1.46 - 1.3 x 10.3 at a weight of 6.47 lbs with the 6-8 hours battery, integrating the following hardware components: an Intel Core 2 Duo with speeds ranging from 2.26GHz to 2.80GHz, up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM memory, up to 400GB HDD, Memory Stick Duo, ExpressCard slot, SD memory card slot, Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with Intel Clear Video technology and 1340MB memory, the Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset, VGA out, DVD-RW drive, optional Blu-ray Disc RW drive, optional BD combo drive, built-in camera and microphone, and Dolby Sound Room Audio technology for a 5.1-channel surround sound effect.



Coming in titanium gray and powder white, Sony Vaio FW has a starting price of $1,000 at which adds the cost for additional components to the basic configuration.

This is the newest laptop launched by Sony only for the South Korean market.
VGC-LJ25L looks like a digital photo frame with a 15.4-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display and sports a small-sized keyboard, while on the transparent margin it has several touch-sensitive buttons.

Electricpig specified in an article that the white laptop comes with a built-in web camera, speakers, microphone, and runs on the Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 processor clocked at 2.10GHz, integrating 2GB of RAM memory, Mobile Intel Graphic Media Accelerator X3100, Wi-Fi module, 200GB HDD storage capacity, and a DVD+/-RW Dual Layer.

It will be available at about £700, maybe a little bit too high for a 5.3Kg laptop.