Sony officially joins the netbook race, nevermind that Vaio P

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Shane McGlaun08 July 2009, 3:25 PM

Sony announces Vaio W and isn't afraid to call it a netbook.


Sony has more Vaio models that you can shake a stick at, but no "official" netbooks on its books until now. Most of us would consider the Vaio P a netbook, but Sony refuses to see the reality of what the Vaio P actually is.

Today Sony has announced its first official netbook model called the Vaio W. If you were hoping for a snazzy design and some interesting features to set the upscale priced Vaio W apart from its peers, you will be disappointed. The only feature that is any different from the other masses of 10.1-inch netbooks on the market is the dubya's 1366 x 768 screen resolution.

 

I'm not sure exactly what good a 720p HD resolution will do you on a netbook that judging from the hardware specs probably won’t stream HD content well. Other than the screen resolution, the remainder of the specifications for the netbook are common.

The Vaio W gets a 1.6GHz Atom processor, Windows XP Home, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB HDD, Wi-Fi, and a media streaming software pack called Vaio Media Plus. According to reports, the price tag for the netbook is going to be about $US629 ($AUD799 -- but expect it to cost much more when it officially hits Australia). That is at least twice what the machine is worth in my opinion. Sony has another big bag of fail on its hands to go along with the Vaio P me thinks.

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Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Sony traditionally sell things with a "Sony Tax" applied. Most of their consumer stuff is overpriced, but they get away with it because people still seem to think "Sony" means the best.

08 July 2009, 6:36 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Yea right on there "Tin" I've only ever bought one Sony Product and that was one of their Mp3 players but judging on the experience I had with that I'd never bother again.

09 July 2009, 12:00 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

I once had a Discman that failed. It got replaced. The replacement failed too, and the shop refused to replace it. Instead they contacted Sony who sent me to a local repair place. They had it for 3 weeks waiting on the series of parts Sony said to replace (ignoring the repair agent's advice). The repair agent was right in the end, and eventually Sony sent a new model of player.

Add in the series of random CD/DVD reader/burner failures from Sony over the years, friends Playstation 1&2 readers dropping dead, etc and I just don't trust their stuff any more.

09 July 2009, 2:06 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

eug (New user):

The Vaio P is a netbook? It uses a netbook processor - but can you name me a single other netbook that weighs 636grams, internal GPS if you aren't in Australia, and also has an awesome high-res screen?

There is no equivalent - so they can charge whatever they like. There is no competition. Nobody else makes an ultraportable "netbook" like that. It certainly doesn't suit everyone - but that doesn't mean it's crap. Look at Gucci handbags and BMWs. :)



12 July 2009, 10:17 PM (8 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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