Laptops Arena

The Sony VAIO VGN-SZ72B/B is Sony’s latest addition to its sleek VAIO notebook line, featuring an Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83-GHz) CPU, 1GB of DDR2-533 memory, 100GB HDD, and NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 graphics.

The vibrant 13.3-inch WXGA display is perfect for watching all your favorite movies through its integrated DVD Super-Multi drive. External interfaces include two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a biometric fingerprint sensor, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, 3.1-megapixel webcam, a TPM security chip, and a Memory Stick reader.

This 4.2-pound notebook goes on sale September 9th, priced at $2047.

Via techeblog.

Sony expands its sleek Type BX notebook line with the VAIO BX96PS. Featuring an Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.16-GHz) CPU, 512MB of DDR2 memory, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 60GB HDD, and a 14.1-inch SXGA+ (1,400 x 1,050) display.

External interfaces on this 6.8-pound notebook include three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, biometric fingerprint reader, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, and a 4-in-1 memory card reader.

Sony will release the VAIO BX96PS on September 9th in Japan, with prices starting at $1,366.

Via techeblog.

While Apple and Dell have each issued recalls on a combined 5.9 million laptop batteries, Sony Electronics says it has no plans to do the same with its own notebook computers.

Sony Electronics spokesperson Rick Clancy said the company hasn’t experienced any significant issues with batteries in its Sony Vaio series or any other laptops it produces. All of them use Sony’s own batteries. As of today, media reports have counted two incidents of heating and flaming Sony laptops, but neither had anything to do with faulty Sony batteries, said Clancy. He added one incident, in Kansas, was confirmed to involve a counterfeit battery.

“As far as Vaio PCs are concerned we don’t anticipate any need for a recall at this time, and that’s true from our understanding of other manufacturers we supply this technology to as well,” Clancy said.

Other companies haven’t been so lucky. In a recall statement, the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced on August 24 that Apple had reported nine incidents of Sony-produced lithium-ion batteries overheating. Two of these cases led to minor burns and other various types of damage. The commission announced in a separate recall statement on August 15 that Dell had reported six overheating incidents, which resulted in property damage. Media reports showed some of the Dell damages were due to the laptops catching on fire. Both the Apple and Dell recalls were made in cooperation with the commission.

Typically, batteries that experience short circuits immediately power off, and flaming laptop incidents are rare, Clancy said.

So when it comes to Sony’s own laptops, “there’s no indication that there’s an excessive number of situations that have occurred that would warrant this type of action,” he said.

Clancy also said Sony Electronics is speaking regularly with its battery customers and thinks the recalls will stop with Apple and Dell.

Via laptopmag.

The Sony VAIO SZ110 is Sony's entry-level SZ series notebook. The VAIO SZ line represents Sony's latest attempt to combine mobility and power without sacrificing too much of either. These ultraportable notebooks weigh in at a light 4 pounds, about average for their category, but they come loaded with features not found on other ultraportables.

I think the Sony VAIO SZ110 is a great little ultraportable for anyone who wants the latest technology in a small package. As of this writing, the Sony SZ line simply has no peer. It is the most full-featured Core Duo ultraportable series currently available, and if you don't want to sacrifice power for portability, this would be the series to get.

Whether you should get the 110B or another SZ depends on your specific needs and budget. For me, this was the only SZ model I could afford, and honestly, it's not all that different from the other SZs. The lowest-priced model already has everything I need.

Though I don't like Sony very much, I am quite happy with the notebook itself. I dislike the company's pricing, policies and support/service, but I have to say that the products themselves are usually pretty good.

View full review here.