Sony makes the JS1 and sister laptop NS1 official

Remember that slick new Sony all-in-one desktop we spied at CEDIA and saw reviewed recently? Well the company has gotten all official on it, as well as a new, affordably-priced laptop... and we've got the details. The latter -- dubbed the NS1 -- sports an Intel Core 2 Duo T5800 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 15.4-inch, 1280 x 800 X-black display, 320GB hard drive, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3430 graphics chipset, a Blu-ray combo drive, and 802.11a/b/g/n. The JS1 desktop features an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 CPU, 3GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a 20.1-inch, 1680 x 1050 X-black display, Intel GMA X4500HD graphics, and 802.11b/g/n. No word on price or release date for the two models, but you'll know when we do. Check out a few more pics after the break.

[Via Digital Drops]

[kbs @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:51AM]

ummm... it's 2008... what's up with the wired mouse and keyboard?

[Tom Robertson @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:54AM]

True, but the rest is pretty nice.

[thedesolate1 @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:58AM]

Damn! you beat me to it. I was about to say the same thing.. rank up 4 u sir...

[Muhammed @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:07AM]

yeah it's 2008, I guess you're better off with a mouse and keyboard from the mid eighties.

[Magnulus @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:06AM]

Personally, I can't stand Bluetooth on things like controllers and computer mice. If I didn't have a second controller for my PS3, I'd go absolutely spare sometimes. They constantly run out of battery! And mice get progressively worse as the battery weakens. No dice on wireless for me.

What I'm more suprised at is that such a style-centric company as Sony would release what looks like a cheap rip-off of the iMac. It's just... weak.

[blevay @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:00PM]

I agree with Magnulus. I don't think wireless is by any means required, especially for keyboards. Nothing like running out of juice mid e-mail. Wireless mouse is nice, but for a budget system, i don't think anybody's going to complain too much.

[TMM @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:00PM]

Not only a rip-off of you know what, you're stuck with a certian OS as well.

And in adition: A FRIGGING CADDY? A FRIGGING VERTICAL DVD-DRIVE WITH CADDY?
This alone is such a big design flaw. I couldn't buy it. I would be angered every day.

[Arnoz @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:56AM]

Mmh, I've seen that keyboard somewhere before... And that DVD slot loading on the edge of the screen too.

[fred @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:06AM]

Could have just posted "first". Equally annoying, but not in a douchebag fanboy sort of way.

[Unknown @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:27AM]

you saw it on x505 right

[Unknown @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:29AM]

oh and this is his first time

to post on engadget, hes a total apple fanboy

[jorvay @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:49AM]

Yeah, Sony should be ashamed for copying their own keyboard design time after time.

As for the DVD drive, where the hell else would you put it? It's a one-piece computer.

[Daniel @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:51PM]

It makes me sad that you can only downrank a comment once.

[Poom @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:31PM]

Can someone tell me why this guy is high-ranked??? -_-" Just read what jorvay said.

[Boarderwoot @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:58AM]

This computer is infected with BD. Make sure to wear protection while taking advantage of its interface.

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:59AM]

Love the keyboard. I bet Apple wish they'd designed something like that.

[fred @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:06AM]

You do know Apple did not originate that design?

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:14AM]

Yes.

[Ellianth @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:42AM]

Liar, you didn't know!

[mdnetguru @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:08PM]

That's an original keyboard. It looks NOTHING like the keyboard I am typing on now. Nothing like it at all.

[Decoy @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:53PM]

It's not the keyboard that gets me, it's the stand. It brings Mac Pros to mind IMO.

[jorvay @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:03PM]

@ Decoy
I kindof see what you mean, but if you look at some of the Sony TVs and other products from both their electronics and computers divisions, you start to notice some consistent design traits. This machine seems to fit into those pretty well.

[xValentine @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:02AM]

Creativity, Like.No.Other.

[mrrookie @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:05AM]

LOL i created the original image of your avatar quite a long time ago. Shame on you for adding the apple in the center of it!

[xValentine @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:37AM]

LOL really ? GJ

Nah I'm just enjoying my MBP and iPhone that's why I put the apple logo in that avatar :D

[Muhammad-Oli @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:18AM]

Mmm, VAIO. Man that laptop looks good.

[trainwrecka @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:33AM]

When I first saw the image I thought --- NEW iMAC! --- nope, Sony. Great looking computer though. Not a fan of the tray loading disc drives. Shatter dreams of XBOX, 360, and PS2 drives that no longer loaded fill my head.

Blu-ray onboard?!? NICE!

Wired mouse and keyboard? Standard fare. Most educational institutions require them. A lot easier to not lose.

[Ryback @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:34AM]

A lackluster package from a premium (?) brand.

A 1920×1080 screen to go with a slot in BR-drive and it would a entertainment system for the student no room for a big screen TV. If it is priced like a Vaio I'm not interested.

[dodo @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:34AM]

very nice design, i like the deskop one. the notebook look quite familiar to the apple powerbook titanium from early 2002 i think ( no i'm not a fanboy my classmate is using it that's why i'm mentioning it)!

i guess these types of keyboards will become more common, it's a nice thing and i think a good development since the old keyboards are looking kind a chubby and do not match to the new sleak designs... and i guess we can say getting "inspiration" from competitors is a good thing if a design works out, by that we all benefit :)

[Vermaak @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:35AM]

1280x800 with a blueray drive? What's the point?

I'm sure they could have squeezed a little more resolution in there! Plus led backlighting would be welcomed.

[Adderz @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:36AM]

Nice, but it still doesnt compete with an iMac.

Not many people are going to go without a graphics card, let alone the anti-customizability factor just for the design....

Sony should be ashamed of themselves for including a wired keyboard and mouse, the iMac has wired as well...but i wouldnt expect a premium company like SOny to do it too.

[Adderz @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:04AM]

Sorry that was meant to be wireless* and the anti customizability relates to having just one (crappy) graphics card and the unlikely possibility to be as customizable as the iMac with 20 and 24" displays, hard drives CPU's etc etc.

Its a good first try by Sony. THe design has a little way to go yet but its pretty good.

[Tejas @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:43PM]

Did you soften your stance once you realized you were being low-ranked?! There's a 28 minute difference between the two posts!

[no, thank you @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:44AM]

kinda reminds me of mac pro + imac

very attractive all-in-1 btw

[Russell Bishop @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:57AM]

Interesting to see that it's Sony who decide to take the plunge and challenge Apple's iMac. Assuming they can tender for the gap in that market (those without $1,000s to spare) they should really pull it off.

[Pip @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:50PM]

iMacs are $1100 as it is for a nice 20".

Sony would dent this if they can offer these systems for around $500. Any more than that, and I'd rather just go with an iMac.

[Adderz @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:06AM]

"Interesting to see that it's Sony"

I think its quite apt. They both target the premium market.

[w4rh34rt @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:07AM]

That thing is beautiful.. well.. The all-in-one anyway. The laptop
just looks like, well.. A laptop.

There's always been one thing I think Apple have, and that's good
looking hardware (I'm not saying I think this looks like an Apple
computer). As we can see though, this is becoming less and less true
with the things companies are bringing out recently.

[geekymick @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:28AM]

wow, crybaby central, the wired keyboard and mouse are there because sony is pushing for the schools and they all pretty much frown on wireless as someone else already said. as for looking like an iMac and all that crap, who cares, if it works it works, personally i could care less what it looks like, i am worried about performance, which admittedly the desktop is lacking if you ask me. however a laptop with 4GB RAM and blu-ray built in, not bad if you ask me. oh and Mac fans ...... sucks to be your stock right now. LOL.

[THL @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:33AM]

I like the fact that the new notebook is reported as being affordably-priced... and then at the end "No word on price or release date for the two models"

[Mr. Ford @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:23AM]

1920x1080 or 1200 is ridiculous on a 20.1" screen just for the sake of blu-ray. If you have a special application that requires higher resolution then your needs are somewhat unique and not the needs of the common man. Most people, at proper viewing distance, can't see the difference between 1080 and 720 on a 50" tv, so why in the hell would they need to pay for more resolution on a 20.1" screen.
I think Sony did a great job on the desktop. It looks reminiscent of their older LCD monitors.

[michaelgrothaus @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:31AM]

Rip off Apple much, Sony?

[Sam @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:28PM]

and apple copying Sony's keyboard

http://regmedia.co.uk/2004/06/11/vaio_1.jpg

..

[Sam @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:50AM]

It's interesting that I've read a few news reports around the Web stating that Sony has copied the Apple MacBook when it comes to the keyboard design of the TZ1. Unfortunately for all the Apple fans out there, this is simply not true. In fact, Sony implemented this type of separated-button style keyboard in the groundbreaking VAIO X505VP back in 2004.

Link:
http://regmedia.co.uk/2004/06/11/vaio_1.jpg


...

[xvst @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:58AM]

i want that keybord! finally a apple like keybord for windows.

[projekt84 @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:08PM]

Man, Apple fans are vicious.

This is superior to iMac design purely for the fact it doesn't have that hideous chin.

If all-in-ones are your thing and you don't want a Mac(shocking, but it happens), this is a great choice.

[muddipanda @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:33PM]

Wow, no word on pricing or date? I guess I could offer my services as an investigative reporter to Engadget (it seems they could use them).

Laptop has already been shipping for a few days and starts at $799. It's been on Sony's site for a few days already, but it's sold out. If you live near Fry's you can pick one up there (saw them last Friday). Circuit City might have them by now too.

Desktop ships on 10/07 and starts at $1099. Has been on Sony's site for a few weeks, it went up just a few days after CEDIA.

[Quix @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:36PM]

Not upgradeable. Too expensive. A total waste.

Wait, this isn't from Apple? I WANT!

/Faux Apple hater diatribe

P.S. Holding that CD tray steady while you try to clip the disc on the spindle will be lots of fun. Every car stereo has a slot-loading disc player. Why is Apple the only computer manufacturer who dares dump the ridiculous tray?

[Michael Scrip @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:57PM]

I wondered that too. Plextor and Pioneer made slot-load computer drives... but people said they were unreliable.

I know people with cars from a decade ago who still use factory slot-load CD players in their cars.

I wish hardware companies would figure it out!

[uShak @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:52PM]

We just got these in at Best Buy

The build quality feels really cheap, and the whole design in my opinion is just bland.

The mouse is featherweighted and the apple-spaced keyboard may take some design cues, but forgot to add the all too useful USB port on the kayboard.

Also the specs leave it a bit underpowered... and I think it's not cool that hey just repackage their laptop parts into a desktop (even though a lot of all-in-one pc's are) BUT including the lame laptop popout optical drive amongst its slot loading competition.
BUT IT PLAYS BLURAY??- So what, a lot of better products do too.