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How would you change Sony's VAIO P?
Sony's VAIO P has been around since last decade, but just recently Sony decided to pry it out of the company's left rear pocket in order to reface it and bless it with a few updated components. We still have a hard time stomaching the $800 price tag, but there's honestly not much competition when looking specifically at this form factor. Have any of you all managed to procure one of these buggers over the past month and change? Is it worlds better than your netbook? Would you change the resolution or keyboard layout? How's that CPU treating you? Would a touchpanel have been better? Go on and toss your opinions down in comments below -- there's no telling how long Sony will keep this thing alive, but you might as well contribute to making the next better, right?
Sony's second-gen VAIO P now available for pre-order
Sony's VAIO P certainly isn't for everyone but, if it's for you, you can now finally get your pre-order in for the latest version on the SonyStyle website. Contrary to what we had heard earlier, however, the luxury netbook now starts at $899.99 (not $799), which will still get you the same Atom Z530 processor and 2GB of RAM, but a larger 128GB SSD -- the expected 64GB option is seemingly nowhere to be found. You can rest assured that the neon green, hot pink and electric orange color options are all still available, though. Look for it to start shipping around June 25th. [Thanks, Chris]
Sony turns VAIO P into world's most expensive PS3 keyboard
Yesterday we told you what we thought about the new VAIO P, an $800 conversation piece of a netbook, and now Sony is giving potential owners something else to talk about. The little laptop has been granted "Remote Keyboard" functionality, turning it into a sort of giant economy sized version of the PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad, a device we weren't particularly fond of when we first played with it way back in 2008. Like that device, the VAIO P has a battery life that's too short and a keyboard that's uncomfortable to use, but this new ability adds one more piece of function this very form-centric laptop desperately needs. The software isn't officially available in the US yet, but we're told the Japanese version at the source link will do you just fine if you're one of the few, the proud, and the financially irresponsible rocking a VAIO P today.
Sony VAIO P Series review
In a day of $300 netbooks and $500 tablets, it sure is mystifying to see Sony still pushing a secondary, $700+ Atom-powered device. That's right, Sony hasn't given up on its 8-inch VAIO P Series, and has updated the 1.3-pound mini-laptop with a slightly different design, a faster Atom Z560 processor, touchpad, and last but not least, an accelerometer that lets you tilt the machine to the navigate the web. It's got some pretty cool tricks, that's for sure, and considering that our main complaints about the first generation included performance and desktop navigation we're certainty taken with this next iteration. So, does a mild retooling and a smattering of new abilities make the VAIO P a better product, or better yet, worth a lofty $800? Hit that read more link to find out in our full review. %Gallery-92541%
Sony VAIO P Series gets an accelerometer, touchpad (Updated: starts at $799)
Well, we did have some strong evidence to suggest that Sony was planning a design update to its VAIO P Series, but there happens to be a lot more than fresh aesthetics going on with the new 8-inch lappie. Sure, it gets a new matte lid that's available in five different shades, but Sony has also updated the 1.3-pound P Series with an optical touchpad and accelerometer. The former is built into the LCD bezel and, as the picture above shows, is all about navigating the desktop by just holding the screen – the pad is on the right bezel while the right / left mouse buttons are on the left. The accelerometer is probably the most interesting addition – you can flip the device vertically to read documents, but also tilt it to the left or right to move forward or backward while surfing the web. Pretty cool stuff, and there's even more: it's been given a faster Intel Atom Z560 processor option, though the entry-level unit has a slightly-slower Z530 CPU. Still waiting for US pricing to see if Sony can tempt us with its notoriously expensive VAIO P when it begins shipping in June. We'll have a piping hot review of the new VAIO P coming up later this morning. So, will you hit the break for the official PR, or just wait for the review? Decisions, decisions. Update: The U.S. has finally released its PR. The VAIO P will start at $799 stateside, though that includes the 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, and not the newer Z560 upgrade. That's an $100 price drop, but still too much if you ask us. %Gallery-92536%
Verizon getting a little VAIO P to join its netbook offerings
Motorola's DROID is just a few days away from dropping on Verizon, but why pay $299 (minus $100 rebate) for that when you could instead pay $299 (possibly also minus $100) for a fully-featured definitely non-netbook VAIO P? Yes, Sony's littlest ultraportable looks to be coming to VZW, popping up on a test page in a configuration with 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Seemingly (and curiously) no SSD versions will be on offer, possibly to keep down on costs, as the subsidized $299 price is quite a bit lower than the $800 or more you'd be looking to buy one new -- not to mention a good bit more appealing than the other netbooks Verizon currently has on offer for the same price. Mind you, that two year wireless broadband contract won't pay for itself...
Sony UK site unveils new VAIO P with 2GHz Atom and Windows 7
Look, the upcoming VAIO X might be all fancy with its 11.6-inch screen and all day battery life, but Sony's not ignoring its original underpowered-and-overpriced funky laptop -- three new VAIO P configurations just went up on Sony's UK site today, all sporting Windows 7. The big news is that the top-end configuration will now sport a 2.0GHz Atom Z550, but there's also two low-end models with the 1.86GHz Atom Japanese P's have had for a while now but only the $2,000 Signature model carried Stateside. Apart from that we're not seeing much else -- this certainly looks like a modest Win7-related spec bump and not the rumored VAIO P mark 2. No word on pricing or US availability yet, but we're sure to find out more very, very soon. [Thanks, Liam]
New Sony VAIO P hits the FCC, arriving this fall?
A new model of Sony's ultraportable VAIO P has just passed through the FCC, leading us to surmise that we can probably expect a new model in the very near future. Details are still exceedingly slim on this one, but we know that this one -- model number PCG-1RSL -- will be about the same size as the current VAIO P, and that it packs 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth. The documentation's confidentiality expires in October, so we'll know all the juicy details by then -- if we haven't already found out via other channels. Fingers crossed that it's the 'mark 2' we heard about recently that could right some of those painful, painful wrongs.
Caption Contest: Sony Vaio P is escorted to Grand Central Station
Sony looks to drum up a little more buzz for its new ultraportable, the Vaio P, at Grand Central Station.Paul: "There's a Vaio P configuration for every wig-adorned model in your life."Josh T.: "She's so fine, there's no telling where the money went. Wait, no. It went to the VAIO P."Nilay: "Alias has really gone downhill."Joseph: "It's nice when replicants find honest work."Laura: "You have no idea how expensive it is to make something look this cheap."Donald: "Ok, now bring out the mimes."Chris: "Don't just stand there, let's get to it, strike a pose, there's nothing to it... vogue."Tim: "Seven blondes walk into a Sony Style ..."Thomas: "Hey look, those mannequins are just as slow with the VAIO P as Vista!"Ross: "And like that, Andrew McCarthy and Meshach Taylor knew just what to do to kick-start their careers."
VAIO P spotted and unboxed in the American wild
Sure, we were certainly rocking Sony's littlest VAIO in various locations across these United States, but the things have been taking their time in finding their way to the hands of our fellow gadget lovers. After finally starting shipping on Wednesday they're now starting to show up on the doorsteps of lucky folks around the country, with AdamW at HappyAssassin the first to give one the domestic unboxing treatment -- also performing a bonus little comparo with his friendly neighborhood Aspire One. Adam indicates that installing Linux is next on his to-do list, which sounds quite tasty to us.
Sony's VAIO P spotted for sale in Hong Kong, price tag spotted too
Just last week our hopes for an affordable VAIO P were quickly dashed as Amazon's UK site fixed what was apparently typo, setting the price on Sony's "don't call me a netbook" ultraportable to over $1,000. That's in-line with what we've been expecting for the US release, but still we'd held out some hope for a last-minute price cut. Now, like a twist of the knife, we have photos of the machines for sale in the wild -- with a wild price tag to match. Kip HT took these pictures (one above, one below) at a Hong Kong retailer and passed them along, sending word that the top-spec model was going for the equivalent of $2,188.48. No word on a price for the cheapest model, but it seems we now have confirmation that the Sony tax also applies overseas.[Thanks, Kip HT]
Sony VAIO P ripped apart
Well, that didn't take long. Mere hours after we saw the ultra-lovely Sony VAIO P make its official debut here at CES, some industrious, sadistic folks have seen fit to tear it to shreds, exposing its guts for all to marvel (or tear up) over. We have to say, it's just as good looking on the inside as it is on the outside, but see for yourselves after the break, where there's a beautiful / horrifying gallery to stare at, and hit the read link for the full project.%Gallery-40986%[Via jkkmobile]