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Engadget's back to school guide 2012: mainstream laptops
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today we're getting down to the very important business of helping you sift through laptops, and you can always head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Freshman year of college may no longer be the gateway to the magical world of laptop ownership, but even if you already have a notebook, who can resist a new machine in the spirit of starting fresh when September rolls around? Whether you're looking for a Core i5 companion to get you through semesters of paper-writing, Facebooking and WoWing, or a super-sleek centerpiece to your bare-bones dorm, there's a vast playing field of machines to choose from. While sifting through the countless options would surely get you back in the academic research frame of mind, it's a daunting task. We're here to take some of the work off your plate with nine solid mainstream laptops that should satisfy every budget.
Sony updates VAIO E Series, intros E 14P bundle with LL Cool J branding and music editing software
We already got a taste of Sony's new E series laptops when they were announced for the European market last month, but today brings confirmation that these models are arriving stateside as well The VAIO E 11, 14 and 15 all feature a new "wrap" design and a 1366 x 768 screen resolution, and the two larger models include backlit keyboards. Starting from the bottom, the 11-inch VAIO E goes for $449 and is the only laptop of the three with an AMD processor. The 14-incher runs a second-gen Intel Core CPU (read: Sandy Bridge) and is available in white, black and pink, while the 15-inch model can be configured with second- or third-generation Intel processors and sports a brushed-aluminum finish. Sony is also offering a so-called VAIO E 14P Future Sounds MyConnect Studio package (that's quite a mouthful, we know). The 14-inch E 14P sports a black and red wrap design, runs an Ivy Bridge CPU and comes with LL's Boomdizzle MyConnect Studio app for recording and editing music. For the money -- $899, to be precise -- you also get Sony headphones and Dolby Home Theatre v4 Audio Technology. %Gallery-156874% %Gallery-156860% %Gallery-156152% %Gallery-156154% %Gallery-156156% %Gallery-156155%
Sony gives VAIO S and VAIO Z lines Ivy Bridge upgrade, outs two new VAIO E models
Sony began introducing its new Ivy Bridge lineup last month with the VAIO E Series 14P, a multimedia laptop complete with gesture controls. Today, the company announced two larger models to round out that family, the VAIO E Series 15 and 17. Unlike the 14P, these notebooks don't come with Ivy Bridge power, but then their larger displays (15.5 inches and 17.3 inches, respectively) and an optional Blu-ray player on the larger model should be enough to tell you that these are entertainment-focused machines rather than next-gen powerhouses. Both the VAIO 15 and 17 run Intel Core i5-2450M CPUS and handle graphics with a AMD Radeon 7650M GPU and either 1GB or 2GB of VRAM depending on the model. Each also has a 750GB hard drive spinning at 5,400 RPM, plus a built-in webcam, USB 3.0 with a sleep-charge feature, HDMI, Bluetooth and WiFi. The main difference between the two is screen resolution: while the 15.5-incher sports a 1366 x 768 display, the 17.3-inch version has a more brilliant 1600 x 900 pixels. Pricing info is still MIA. While the VAIO E 15 and 17 didn't make the Ivy Bridge cut, Sony's business-focused VAIO S and VAIO Z lines will get the processor update. The VAIO S will be available in 13.5- and 15.5-inch flavors, each sporting backlit keyboards and a thin design featuring aluminium, magnesium or carbon fiber (depending on the model). While the 13.3-incher's display resolution is yet to be determined, the 15.5-inch model will ship with a 1080p IPS screen. And while we simply know that the VAIO S 13 will come with a choice of Core i5 or Core i7 processors, the VAIO S 15 runs a Intel Core i7-3612QM with 8GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU (along with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 chip). On the storage side, the 15 has a 1TB hard drive. Both the VAIO S 13 and 15 will have SSD options, and Sony will offer a separate sheet battery for up to 14 hours of longevity. Weight-wise, the outlet is short on specifics, though both models will tip in at less than 4.4 pounds.
Sony VAIO E Series 14P gets Ivy Bridge processor nudge, improved display
While they may not be the Sony ultrabooks we're still all itching to see, the company's E Series 14P laptops have reappeared with some Ivy Bridge bones. According to Sony Australia, the previously Intel Core i3 processor has been bulked up to a third-generation 2.1GHz Core i7-3612QM, capable of 3.1GHz with Turbo Boost. That's not the only difference, with the 14-inch display boosted to 1600 x 900 and a new choice between AMD'S Radeon HD 7670M or Intel's HD Graphics 4000 to provide the graphical horse power in the updated hardware. The aluminum-splashed laptops, priced at $1,500 AUD (around $1,608 USD), will still house Sony's Gesture Control functions. This should allow you to navigate around websites and media playback with some arm flailing -- provided you're using Microsoft perennials like Internet Explorer 9 and Windows Media Player. These updated specs are tinged with some (minor) bad news; it looks like the pink iteration won't be getting the same improvements seen on the black and white models. Regardless, monochrome fans can hit up the source for all the new details.
Sony unveils E Series 14P laptops with gesture-based controls
They may not be the thinnest or most powerful machines Sony's ever introduced, but the new trio hopes to catch a few hearts here and there. A follow-up to those flashy VAIOs we saw a while back, these E Series models are each packing a 14-inch, 1366 x 768 display, an Intel Core i3 2550M CPU with 4GB of RAM and your choice of AMD Radeon HD 7670M or Intel HD Graphics 3000 -- all while promising up to seven hours of battery life. Run-of-the-mill specs aside, Sony's Gesture Control feature will allow you to swipe between pages and adjust bits like music playback -- though, at the moment it only works with Windows Media Player, IE9, PowerPoint and PowerDVD. The company's yet to reveal the 14P's price tag, but in the meantime you can decide which color best suits you by checking out the gallery below.
Sony updates Vaio C series with subtler shades, E models go Sandy Bridge
Sony's mainstream E and C series of laptops are getting a bit of an update with some new color options and updated processors in the case of E series. The 14-, 15.5-, and 17.3-inch Vaio E models are finally joining the Sandy Bridge brigade with second-gen Core i3 and i5s, while also adding an AMD Fusion option on the 15.5-inch version for all you Sunnyvale fans out there. The smaller members of the E family will be available in four colors (blue, pink, white, and black) while their big brother is limited to white and black. The C series is staying the same, but adding Neon Red and Thunder Blue to your selection of hues. The updated PCs will be available for pre-order on June 19th but, if you really have your heart set on that red Vaio C, you'll have to head to select retailers like Fry's, ABT, B&H, J&R, MicroCenter, or (wait for it...) Nebraska Furniture Mart -- while you're there, pick up a bright red sofa to match your new lappy. All the PR you can handle awaits, just after the break. %Gallery-126476%
Sony selling AMD powered VAIOs for the first time in years
We've been keeping a close eye on AMD's big laptop comeback over the last couple of months, and in addition to gaining steam with HP, Dell, Toshiba and Lenovo, it appears AMD's also gotten Sony back into its court. Both Fry's and Best Buy are now carrying AMD Athlon II X2-powered machines, and as you may expect, the prices are quite tempting. Conversely, the Intel-based lineup ranges from $699 to $799, but until we get our hands on one of these ourselves, there isn't exactly a fair comparison to draw at this point. You can hit the source links for the complete specs, but the 15.4-inch EE Series with 4GB of RAM / 320GB of storage and a Blu-ray player is going for $650 while the 17.3-inch EF with a 500GB hard drive for $720. Both also have integrated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 graphics, but regardless, the move certainly bodes well for AMD's newest processor / graphics, since it appears that Sony hasn't used AMD in its systems since 2005. We guess a welcome back hug is in order.
Sony VAIO EA and EC Series excite with colors and Core i3
You've really got a thing for florescent these days, don't ya Sony? Just like its colorful 15.5-inch EB series, Sony's new 14-inch VAIO EA and 17.3-inch EC Series are available in colors that can only remind us of 80's workout attire, including bright green, blue, and pink. Though (thankfully!) for us more conservative types, the two new lines are also available in a matte white, brown and black. The budget systems ring up at around $700, and both feature a Core i3 350M CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive and Windows 7 Home Premium. There is a Blu-ray option and an onboard HDMI port. Sony's also gone and added its own instant-on OS, which is launched by hitting the WEB button above the keyboard. Our favorite part about the two machines? Funny enough it has nothing to do with the laptops themselves -- it happens to be the rubber keyboard skins that Sony will sell for $25 along side these lappies for keeping the chiclet keyboards safe from crumbs and everyday ware. Both models will be up for pre-order today, though will ship in July. %Gallery-94643%
Sony's new 14- and 17-inch VAIO E laptops invite you to taste the rainbow
Was Sony's last VAIO E laptop, the blue one with a pink keyboard, not garish enough for you? Maybe these new models will saturate your questionable color palette. The E series has gotten a bit smaller and also a bit bigger, adding 14- and 17-inch models to the lineup. The 14-inch, 1600 x 900 VPCEA1S1E models include Intel Core i3-330M processors at 2.13GHz, 4GB of DDR3 memory, 500GB disk drives, and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145 graphics. The 17-inch, 1920 x 1080 VPCEC1S1E moves up to Core i5-430M processors at 2.26GHz, 1TB of storage, Radeon HD 5650 graphics, and replaces the smaller unit's DVD player with a Blu-ray drive. All offer 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, and HDMI output for your media entertainment. No word on price or availability, but we have confirmed you can get them in black if you're not feeling quite so colorful on a Monday. %Gallery-88703%
