Sony bringing VIA's OpenBook to market?

Although late in arriving, Sony appears ready to join the low-cost, ultra-portable, netbook, mini-laptop party. An apparently generic prototype based on the Via OpenBook was just spotted at the Quanta booth at WiMax Expo. It seems that a quick check of the properties revealed a 1.6GHz Via C7-M processor and more interestingly, Sony as the manufacturer. When the Quanta exec demonstrating the box noticed "he quickly closed the properties window and declined to explain." Sony refused to comment. In other words, expect to see it in Q3.

[Tom @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:57AM]

Still havent decided on that name then?

[Hellios @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:59AM]

Why the C7, why!

The Isaiah architecture is so awesome, why would VIA choose to base OpenBook on c7... except to move old stock of c7..

[ddub @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:11AM]

If we're having a naming contest I vote for the Sony VIA VAIO

[ddub @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:13AM]

or if that's too long, just the VIAO

[wasabi @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:14AM]

so is sony gonna charge $75 to remove bloatware from the laptop? you know cause it's a lot of work to not install the software.

[雙魚 @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:18AM]

What the....Please use the VIA Nano instead of the VIA C7-M, OK?
BTW, is there anyone has the same thought as I that this is just a typo by Quanta?

[DiscoCat5 @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:22AM]

i can see sony killing this market, because personally, PERSONALLY i hate asus, and their design, and thier build quality
i can just see this working well though... and if it works well enough even i might buy one!

[matt @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:22AM]

Why do you hate Asus build quality? Its excellent, besides asus make laptops for many other companies, such as Sony.

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:27AM]

Asus for Sony? Boo ha ha ha...where did you read that BS? Any Link? Which model?

[Luke @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:45AM]

@anabouboula.

Asus definitely makes some models for Sony. Last year I put together a barebones MSI based system (1057), and since I did a lot of shopping, I was aware of the comparable Asus products. I don't have their models numbers, but they were the "graphite and/or carbon fiber" style models.

The Sony's that arrived at the CompUSA where I worked were IDENTICAL in every way to the Asus models. It wasn't mere coicidence either, this was a very unique looking laptop, with unique speaker placement and a curious looking webcam.

[Adam @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:50AM]

anabouboula,

Why don't you take a look at this website before you make fun of other people that know more about gadgets than you do.

http://store.agearnotebooks.com/asusnotebook.html

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:05AM]

@ Luke & Adam..
Which model is identical? Which model share the same chassis? Maybe some sony NBs have Asus mobos... Every time i compare an Asus with a Sony the chassis quality and the Design is like Night and Day... Please tell me which Sony model is a rebranded Asus. if this site--> http://store.agearnotebooks.com/asusnotebook.html

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:06AM]

means high end model the vaio AR Series (i admit they are crap)....let LOL... SZ & TZ are true Hi-end and definitely are not manufactured by ASUS

[DiscoCat5 @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:08AM]

well i can only judge on what i have experience
and my brother owns a sony vaio, and my sister an asus
and i can tell you i would take the vaio anyday, even at double the cost

[Adam @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:40AM]

anabouboula,

Do you know how to use google or do you want me to do all the work for you, just type Asusalpha into google & see what you find. You will see that they have or still do make notebooks for Apple, Sony, Dell & Toshiba.

If you really want to know what model Sony notebook that they make keep looking, but who cares, the argument from you was that they have never made Sony notebooks, I think that we have proved that they have.

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:16AM]

@Adam... I've never seen a SONY BASED ON ASUS CHASSIS.... Sony design their own laptops... probably asus sometime manufacture a SONY DESIGN ...like some PS3s manufactured by Asus. But Asus never supply Sony with an OEM design used by Asus and other companies. Try to understand the difference....

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:17AM]

@Adam...
BTW Asus Notebooks look and feel like crap next to a Sony Vaio

[pxa270 @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:23AM]

So the machine is basically the same as those from obscure Taiwanese brand based on the same VIA design, but we're supposed to buy this (presumably for more $$$) just because it has a Sony label?

[mattj @ Jun 2nd 2008 5:21AM]

Thats what Apple do....

[Steven @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:28AM]

didn't sony say that "these low-cost laptops are ruining the market for higher end laptops like sonys" and that the "race to the bottom is bad and we shouldn't be doing this we should be moving up" ??????

[Patriks7 @ Jun 2nd 2008 6:24AM]

and who said this will be a low-cost laptop?
its a sony

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:35AM]

Take that Asus!

[jsk @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:16PM]

You'll never find a Samsung LCD panel inside a Sony "branded" LCD either.

All Sony stuff is 100% Sony guts inside.. hard disk, memory, keyboard, touchpad and graphics too!

I'm being overly sarcastic btw. :)

Just because it says Sony outside doesn't mean it's all Sony inside. Maybe Sony just has higher standards for the plastics they use.

[anabouboula @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:59AM]

The VIA Isaiah Architecture is pin-to-pin compatible with the current VIA C7 processor family, enabling OEMs and motherboard makers to transition to the new architecture smoothly, and to fulfill a wider range of market segments with a single board or system design.

[Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:29AM]

I love my Vaio TZ, but now I have found it to be a little big after seeing the EEE in person. : )

I really want Sony to make a mini-notebook again like their C1 Picturebook series. But don't use this Via OpenBook design, no Via please!

Vaios have always used Intel, please let this use an Intel ULV processor. I don't even care if your netbook will be expensive since I know it will have quality, style, an EXCELLENT screen and fantastic battery life. The latter two especially they have done well on the Vaio T series.

[Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:31AM]

Never mind, the first C1 Picturebooks used Pentium 1 and 2 processors and later ones used Transmeta Crusoe processors, but their performance clock to clock was horrible compared to the Pentiums.

Please make a 8.9" notebook Sony like the HP 2133 MiniNote using the new Montevina Chipset and ULV processors (SU9400/SU9300) and I will surely buy it!