Sony VAIO VGN-Z Series (Z11) - More Details
July 11, 2008
More details about Sony’s 13-inch replacement for the VAIO VGN-SZ7 series, the VGN-Z (in this instance, Z11, instead of Z500), have emerged on the NotebookReview.com forums. The new information takes the form of datasheets released in German, with specific details and models.
Two of the models have HSDPA options, and all three of the models listed have 4GB RAM as a standard feature. All three also run Microsoft Windows Vista Business w/SP1. The model type is “VGN-Z11″.
New/Updated Models:
- VGN-Z11MN/B: (VGNZ11MN/B.G4) - Black, Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz), 4GB RAM, 200GB HDD
- VGN-Z11VN/B - Premium Carbon Fiber, Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz), 4GB RAM, HSDPA, 320GB HDD
- VGN-SZ11WN/B: (VGNZ11WN/B.G4) - Black, Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz), 4GB RAM, HSDPA, 250GB HDD
They’ve listed the following SZ models as being replaced by the Z-series (and these SZ models are still available in Europe):
- VGN-SZ71WN/C replaced by Z11WN/B
- VGN-SZ71VN/X replaced by Z11VN/B
- VGN-SZ71MN/B replaced by Z11MN/B.G4
Read: NotebookReview.com Forums
HP, Asus, and Sony Laptop Sale, Plus HP, MSI Netbooks
July 4, 2008
Amazon is running a special promotion - up to 20% off of select laptops from HP, Asus, and Sony, through July 8, 2008 (or until supplies run out, which some have already, and when they do, they drop off of the sale page).
You can find the sale here at Amazon.com. One that jumped out was the HP Pavilion TX2510US (Tablet) - 12.1″, $1050 (20% off, not yet released).
On a side note, the MSI Wind U100 that’s available (ships in 3-5 weeks) has been topping Amazon’s laptop sales list.
onSale.com is running a special that started a few days ago and that is running through July 7, 2008, on select netbooks and includes an HP 2133 Mini-Note at a low price:
Mini Notebook Sale starts at $494.99, FREE Shipping after mail-in rebate(s) From 6/30-7/7 11:59am ET
You can find the HP 2133 Mini-Note (Model KR922UT#ABA) at the above link for $494. It’s the low-end HP 2133 and it’s got a 1GHz VIA C7-M CPU, 512MB Memory, 4GB Flash-based Solid State Drive (SSD) and an 8.9″ display, running Linux.
Intel Atom Shortage, VIA Sales, Nano Shipments
July 3, 2008
Couple of quick articles on Intel and VIA CPUs for the netbook market.
First off, DigiTimes mentions the impact the Intel Atom shortage is having on the netbook industry. They mention that because of the shortage, that LCD panel makers who handle the manufacturer of the 7″ to 10″ LCD panels for these devices are concerned about shipments of these devices (i.e. people waiting for specifically for an Intel Atom device). It’s not helped by the fact that there is a battery shortage (which might ease up this month - note the word “might“). The Intel Atom shortage on the other hand could last through the fall (into September).
DigiTimes mentions that for 8.9-inch displays, AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) are the primary suppliers. When it comes to the 10.2-inch displays, Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and HannStar Display ship the majority of those. Kind of interesting little bit of information. Another company, Innolux Display, is ready to start producing panels for the low-cost / sub-notebook market.
Sony VAIO SR140EB (SR Series) Spotted At Circuit City
June 30, 2008
The new 13.3-inch Sony VAIO SR series briefly made an appearance yesterday at CircuitCity.com.
It would appear the pages have been taken down (the product pages for the Sony VAIO SZ series are still up), but some photos were saved. The SR series definitely looks like an upgraded SZ series.
The model spotted was the VGN-SR140EB.
If you’d like to see the images of the SR that were saved:
Sony VAIO SR Gallery at Small-Laptops.com
Read: NotebookReview.com
Announced/Leaked: Sony VGN-SR, VGN-Z Series
June 23, 2008
In what could be a replacement for the Sony VAIO SZ series, a couple of manuals for new Sony laptops were published on Sony.com and found by PhilFlow of the NotebookReview.com forums, as well as some technical specifications. Both have 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit displays.
The Sony VGN-SR is oriented towards consumers and appears to start at 1250 Euros/US Dollars, while the Sony VGN-Z, with it’s 13.3-inch 16:9 display with HDMI output is oriented towards professionals/prosumers. The VGN-Z series starts at 1766.39 Euros/US Dollars.
Sony VGN-Z Highlights:
- 16:9 13.3-inch LED-backlit Display
- Latest Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs
- Stamina and Speed mods (hardware switch)
- HDMI Out
- Possible Blu-ray option
Sony VGN-SR Highlights:
- 13.3-inch LED Backlit display
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD3470 GPU
- Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 3MB L2 Cache)
- Built-in MOTION Eye Web camera
- “Switch Functionality” - Three modes to customize your environment (with different wallpapers for each mode)
- Maybe a Blu-ray optical drive option
Others in Sony’s 11.1-inch series could be updated later this year.
Read:
- NotebookReview.com - Forum Thread
- Sony VGN-SR Series Manual (Sony.com) (PDF)
- Sony VGN-Z Series Manual (Sony.com) (PDF)
Sony to Ship Via-Based Netbook?
June 2, 2008
According to PC World, Sony is going to be jumping into the netbook / sub-notebook competition with a low-cost laptop using a VIA Technologies CPU (similar to the one used by the HP 2133 Mini-Note).
PC World reports that Quanta Computers (an OEM for laptop sellers) was displaying a prototype that was based on the recently announced VIA OpenBook reference design / form factor. Quanta says that it will be shipping in the third quarter of this year.
Somebody checked the properties window of the prototype (it was running Windows Vista Home Basic) and it just so happened to list Sony as the manufacturer. When this was pointed out, the Quanta executive in charge closed the window and refused to comment about the matter. As PC World points out, even though Quanta is producing the computer, it’s normal for the customer (whether it be Sony or Apple or whoever) to be listed as the manufacturer.
Should it stay true to form and follow the VIA OpenBook form factor, it will have an 8.9-inch widescreen display (1024×600), with VIA’s C7-M 1.6GHz CPU, and VIA’s VX800 chipset.
Read: PC World
