Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Sony announced their latest series in its VAIO notebook lineup - the VAIO TT series. Sony says that these notebooks would be the world’s lightest with Blu-ray disc technology. TT notebook models weigh around 1.3kg and measures only an inch thick.

But certainly, being thin and lightweight are not all there are to the VAIO TT notebook series. TT units to be released later would have various features specific to each of the notebook models. The Sony VAIO TT notebook series also feature an 11.1-inch widescreen display powered by the XBRITE-DuraView LCD technology partnered with an energy-saving LED backlight.  In addition, there is an HDMI output connector for connecting the notebook to an HDTV.  These Sonys use Intel’s Centrino 2 inside which should help with power consumption.

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The NS appears to be aimed more at the low end market with its starting price at $650.  It comes with 3GB of RAM and maxes out at 4GB.  If you want to watch Blu-Ray movies, that is going to cost you.  The price jumps up to around $1,000 for the Blu-Ray model, but that also includes a boost in RAM to 4GB instead of the standard 3GB.  For that cost difference, you could almost pick up a PS3.  There does not appear to be a configure-to-order feature for the NS on Sony’s site.  The NS weighs in at a hefty 6.4 pounds and has a 15.4 inch display.  Unfortunately, the display has a resolution of only 1280x800 which means even if you get the Blu-Ray option, you will not be able to watch movies at full 1080P resolution on this screen.  That being said, it is usually very difficult to see the level of detail that 1080P offers on such a small screen.  The NS comes in white, blue and silver.

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Remember two years ago when all these laptop batteries kept overheating, and there were laptop-based fires around the nation?  Apparently, Sony does not want this fad to begin again as they have recalled 73,000 Vaio TZ laptops. 

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the reason for the recall is a possible manufacturing defect that may cause them to overheat.  This defect relates to the wiring at the TZ laptop’s hinge. 

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It seems like even the most simple digital devices such as a digital photo frame are becoming more sophisticated and highly advanced in terms of features and functionality. Take the case of Sony’s Vaio CP1 digital photo frame. This 7-inch frame not only supports wireless connectivity but is packed with radio tuner and displays real-time RSS feeds as well.

The Vaio CP1 digital photo frame also lets users display photos without transferring them onto the digital photo frames storage but instead streaming them from their PC’s. In addition, the digital frame can connect with Picasa, Google’s photo uploading site, to allow viewing of up to four Picasa web albums. Inversely pictures stored in the digital photo frame can be uploaded directly to the user’s Picasa account even without the need to download the photos to a PC.

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Sony has announced several new models of its famous VAIO notebook series. One of these is the VAIO BZ series notebooks geared for the business and IT professional. This lightweight notebook PC features a 15.4-inch LCD widescreen display with an option to have an anti-glare screen using Sony’s XBRITE-ECO LCD technology. The VAIO BZ series notebooks are also said to be made of a durable magnesium alloy casing and include a G-Sensor Shock Protection technology that would protect the machine from bumps, knocks and accidents usually encountered by users who bring their notebook PCs while traveling.

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Sony has just introduced the VAIO Graphic Splash Expression Collection, which aside from a unique name offers VAIO users the ability to purchase a customized FZ series laptop. There will be an option to choose a Victorian lace, flora or leaf pattern and each pattern will be available in three colors—pink, blue or black.

In addition to the exterior patterns, users will be able to further customize their keyboard fonts and also have the VAIO personally engraved. The new VAIO Graphic Splash Expression Collection will be limited to just 1200 units and will be the VAIO FZ Series, pricing will begin at $1,300.

Read [Sony Style]

Sony’s new VAIO laptops were recently leaked out on the web on their own website, as well as Amazon.com. Sony was responsible for leaking the VAIO TZ2 to their own website and Amazon was responsible for leaking out the VAIO SZ7. The new VAIO SZ7 will be the upgrade of the current Sony VAIO SZ6, and the specs are as follows.

• Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 with 6MB L2 Cache
• Genuine Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• 13.3-inch widescreen display with XBRITE LCD technology
• 4GB RAM

Next, we have the new Sony VAIO SZ770NC, and the specs are as follows.

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Didn’t have a chance to make it out to CES? No sweat, we got you covered with our series of product Peep Shows and Booth Tours. Here is Sony’s booth, all in one post, for your viewing pleasure. I have to say that I loved their booth last year and I thought that they did a great job once again in 2007, but you be the judge.

Sony will release a premium version of its Vaio UX Micro PC with the same specs as the original except that it will use a 32 GB Flash-based disk as opposed to a regular mechanical hard drive.

The new UX’s significant specs include:

• Intel Core Solo U1400 (Ultra Low Voltage)


• Intel GMA950 integrated graphics


• 512 MB DDR2 PC3200 RAM


• 32 GB Flash drive


• 4.5” WSVGA display (1024x600)


• Keyboard, stylus and biometric fingerprint sensor


• Integrated Bluetooth, WLAN and WWAN capability

The new Vaio UX Micro PC will be available in February 2007 for about $2,500. The current version (VGN-UX280P) is available starting at $1,900.

Read [Sony] - Vaio UX Micro PC Specs [Sony] - Q1 Specs [Samsung]

Designed for the person on the move and undercover, Sony’s 007 Edition Spy Gear is the ultimate expression of style with a bit of British intrigue. With the VAIO TX Notebook, T-50 Cyber-shot Digital Camera, sleek Attaché Case, and even more incredible extras, 007 Edition Spy Gear offers everything you need to stay connected and capture the moment. The included privacy filter will keep DR No’s eyes on his own PC, but for $4,299.99 can’t you get your own private Bond plane?

Read [Casino Royale] Read [Sony Canada]