Sony has launched two new lightweight, touch-enabled Ultrabooks and the latest iteration of its slider hybrid PC, bringing three new offerings to a competitive notebook market.
The new Ultrabooks are the Vaio Pro 11 and Vaio Pro 13, and the new hybrid is the Vaio Duo 13. Sony boasts of the display quality of all three devices, drawing on its TV heritage. Each offers full HD 1920 x 1080 display with the same Triluminos Display for mobile technology found in Sony’s Bravia models. They also use Sony’s super resolution picture engine, X-Reality for mobile, which reduces visual noise, replaces corrupted pixels and corrects black levels for sharper video.
The camera uses Exmor R for PC CMOS Sensor technology developed by Sony, and the devices also use Sony’s ClearAudio+ technology for clearer sound.
“By combining the power of Sony’s display, digital imaging and sound technology with new and innovative form factors, Vaio is offering a variety of new ways for consumers to interact with their PCs,” said Puneet Jain, director of CPG marketing with Sony, in a statement. “The PC landscape is undergoing a tremendous amount of change and Sony Vaio is leading the transformation with new ultra-portable devices that enhance and enrich individuals’ lifestyles in both work efficiency and play.”
The Vaio Pro 11 is an 11” Ultrabook weighing-in at 1.92lbs, while the 13” Vaio Pro 13 is a 13” model weighing 2.34lbs. The laptops are crafted in carbon fiber and feature an aluminum palm rest design. The Pro 13 includes an optional high speed PCIe SSD drive. Both models have an optional extended sheet battery to double the standard battery life, to 14 hours and 13 hours respectively.
The Vaio Duo 13 slider hybrid transforms between a touchscreen slate and a 13” conventional laptop. It’s also made with carbon fibre weighing-in at 2.93lbs. It features Sony’s new Surf Slider design with a a slimmer hinge allowing for an easier transition between tablet and laptop modes. Its 8-megapixel rear-facing camera features the Exmor RS for PC image sensor and can be used to scan photos and text documents with Sony’s CamScanner application. A digital stylus is included, and stores on the side of the PC in an ink well or clip. Sony promises up to 10 hours of battery life.
All three models are available with the new fourth generation of Intel Core processors.
The Vaio Pro 11 and 13 will be available mid-June in Carbon Black for $1149 and $1299, and the Vaio Duo 13 model will available beginning July in Carbon Black and Carbon White for $1499.
