Sony's new laptops: Vaio F20, F30, F50, F70, and the T51, T71 and T90. Daamn!
Kids in a candy store, we are! Sony just announced they're killing the TR series (and possibly the T, series, but we're not so sure about that) in Japan, but one step back, two steps forward: they've busted out a hype little new thin n' light n' wide (we're coining that term) called the F-series (yes, there was already an F series, thanks Sony!), which will come in F20, F30, F50, and F70 flavors, have CPUs up to Pentium M 740s, have a resolution of 1600x1200 (and up to 2048x1536 on the F70, though we're not sure how those resolutions are going to work on a wide screen like that), 80GB drive, dual-layer DVD±R/RW/RAM. Perhaps best of all, though, is its measurements: 14.3-inches wide, 10.4-deep, and 1-thick. Daamn! Read on for the deets about the T71 and T90, and for some more pics.
Couple more press shots of the F-series
Weve got a lot to talk about today, so we just gonna give you the straight deets: the T51, T71, and T90 are replacing
the T50 and T70 with a Pentium M 1.2GHz in the T71, and Celeron M1 in the T51. The T90 is the same as the T71, however,
but in a carbon-fiber case (kind of like the X505).
Officially in lust.
The F71 in carbon fiber (aka the F90).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Digital Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
2048x1536, daaaaaaamn. I offically need to find a home for ny Inspiron 8600 on ebay. Sick lappy's, I bet the price tags will be sicker.
Kwang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Is there a 12" in there? When will they make a 12" carbon fiber model? X505 is 10".
Chess Sets @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
It's all very well, but will the thing be fast - these slim laptops drive you crazy for operating fat programs. I think my next one will be on eof the HP range, real light but no loss of speeeeeed!
Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Those screen resolutions are not correct (which should be obvious since those resolutions are the wrong aspect), whoever posted the story probably got confused between what the laptop could output via VGA and the screen res - the real options are not that exciting - 1680 x 1050 and 1280 x 800, which are pretty standard 16:10 resolutions on many notebooks.
Leon K @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Don't forget the Vaio Y, the 12-inch, 1-spindle business-oriented model that was announced at the same time. It doesn't have wide screen or the games-capable graphics card, but it's supposed to be less expensive. If the Y comes to the US, maybe Sony will release lower-specced models that are really cheaper, say $1300? I think both the A and T are available in a wider price range in the US than in Japan.
Several Japanese commentators have suggested that the T is doing well, so it seems unlikely that Sony will axe it.
Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
It seems that SONY is skmimping on the packaging for their laptops. They should come out with a laptop that can compete with the size of the 12" Powerbook, including a metal case. I just don't see the point of paying a premium for a cheap feeling, plastic laptop. And lets lot start with the lame graphics cards SONY uses...
Kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
some even more interesting spec on the F. i heard Sony has a SD slot build-in on this model. does that mean...?
Jon B @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Do them frenchies use a different pixel measuring method to us? I ask just because the english translation quotes different screen sizes than in the french description.
The french says:
1680x1050 and 1280x800
The english says says:
2048x1536 and 1600x1200
Jon B @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
PS. Worth noting is the Japanese site also lists the screen size at 1680x1050
Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Anyone know the weight on the F series?
damm @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Well, that is sweet and everything, but give me better performance and more RAM!
Some months ago I bought an uniwill 223 from ekm.com equipped with 12" 1280x800, 2 GHz Dothan, 2 GiB RAM and DVD+-RW, added 7200 RPM HDD. Total cost less than 1800 USD.
The mechanical parts, the display and the design of the VAIO:s are probably much better, but I want _both_ performance and style.
Gimme wide 10" laptops with LV-pentium M, not ULV, many USB2 and firewire ports, how hard can that be?
Jon B @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
F Series:
+ VGN-FS70B|VGN-FS50B|VGN-FS30B|VGN-FS20
+ Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition(SP2)
+ Centrino 740, 730 and Celeron M 360
+ 915GM Express Chipset (915GM Express Celeron)
+ 512MB (256MB on Celeron) / 1GB Max
+ 15.4 WSXGA+ (1680?050) Max
+ 80GB Hard Disk, (two partitions, 60GB C:/)
+ DVD+/-R Dual Layer
+ 3 Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0)
+ 364mm x 25.4mm x 264.5mm
+ 2.9kg (2.85kg on lower models)
...and I don't even Read Japanese!
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGN-FS70B/spec_body.html
Art A @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Does anyone know when these will be available in the US and the expected price? I was about to buy an A250 but now I know why it is being discontinued.
Art A @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Does anyone know when these will be available in the US and the expected price? I was about to buy an A250 but now I know why it is being discontinued.
Bluguru @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
You can check the Vaio forums at:
http://www.siliconpopculture.com/sonytr
I have posted some price estimates on the T series there based upon Yen to U.S. dollars. Also, there are assumed Japanese release dates on the Japanese website- 1-5, 1-15, 1-29 (Type F) and 2-05.
http://vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGN-T71B/
http://vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGN-FS70B/
These dates relect the same ones available on Sonystyle Japan. The U.S. usually get them soon after being released in Japan (maybe a two or three weeks like with the T150 this past fall). Although, it may take longer too. You never know with Sony.
Tom 7 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
I bought a 10" N505VE about 6 years ago. That thing had a magnesium case, weighed less than 3lb, and was less than an inch thick. (Bug the superslim line was killed off!) I bought a TR3 last year, which I love, though it is slightly larger and heavier. (Now they are killing off the TR series?) Why do laptops get bigger and heavier? I thought technology was supposed to go the other way?
Franz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
Will the FS notebook come with a faster processor like 1,7Ghz or 1,8Ghz??? If so when???
ntjohn @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
I'm on my fourth VAIO notebook, the S260 (my son uses my 1st VAIO, the GRX3P )and the FS is going to be my 5th. You'll never regret purchasing a VAIO.
Chess set @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM
I am not sure how this ultra high resolution laptops can be any benefit to business community where speed is more important than graphics. Perhaps school kids can find them attractive for their games needs.
Anyhow I agree You'll never regret purchasing a VAIO.