With Windows 8 just around the corner, we're starting to see a huge wave of devices gearing up to flood the retail channel later this month. Sony is the latest to reveal its goods, introducing its first mobile Tabletop PC for the U.S. market, the VAIO Tap 20 PC, and its slider hybrid, the VAIO Duo 11 Ultrabook.
The company has also injected new models and features into its other VAIO Lines of PCs, as well as introduced the phrase "VAIO Touchworld" which spans its collection of touch-based notebooks, Ultrabooks and AIOs. Here's a general list of features for each series, as provided by Sony:
VAIO Tap 20 Tabletop PC
* Can lay flat like a tablet or sit up like a desktop PC (AKA it's a big tablet form factor with a kickstand mounted in the back)
* 20-inch 10-point multi-touch screen
* Removable Battery
* Powered by Sony's Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
* Incorporated stereo speakers utilizing Sony’s "audio fidelity expertise" including Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio Technology
* App: Sony Entertainment Network’s Music Unlimited
* App: Fingertapps Organizer, a calendar app for family members to communicate via to-do lists, recorded messages and videos
* App: ArtRage Studio offers natural painting tools such as oil paints and watercolors, along with utilities to make painting easier
* App: My Daily Clip application, a fun movie trivia game for up to four players
* NFC for sharing content across compatible devices
* COST: VAIO Tap 20 $879.99 and up in Black; White
VAIO Duo 11 Slider Tablet/Ultrabook Hybrid
* Durable Surf Slider mechanism switches between keyboard and tablet
* 11.6-inch LCD touchscreen with scratch-resistant glass
* Latest-generation Intel Core processors
* Slim and light, weighing approximately 2.84 pounds
* Pressure-sensitive digitizer stylus for writing directly on the touchscreen; swappable pen tips
* Backlit keyboard
* NFC for sharing content across compatible devices
* Incorporated stereo speakers utilizing Sony’s "audio fidelity expertise" including Dolby Home Theater v4 Audio Technology
* Functional I/O port connectivity
* App: Active Clip for cropping photos and graphics
* App: Sony Entertainment Network’s Music Unlimited
* COST: VAIO Duo 11 $1099.99 and up in Black
VAIO T Series
* New T13 Ultrabook comes with a touch display
* T13 made with an ultra-smooth brushed aluminum shell
* New T14 Ultrabook incorporates the same port connectivity as the T13 model
* T14 includes an optical disc drive to support Blu-ray and DVD media.
* COST: T Series 13 $669.99 and up in Aluminum Silver.
* COST: T Series 14 $669.99 and up in Aluminum Silver.
VAIO E Series
* 11-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch models
* New aluminum 14P model with touchscreen and signature diamond cut VAIO logo
* New 17-inch E17 model with a Full HD Display (1920 x 1080) and a Quad Core processor
* Backlit Keyboards (14-inch, 15-inch)
* Latest Intel Core processors (14-inch, 15-inch)
* Clear high contrast displays
* Optional AMD Radeon graphics
* COST: E Series 11 $449.99 and up in Black; White
* COST: E Series 14 $449.99 and up in Black; White; Pink
* COST: E Series 14P $689.99 and up in Gun Metallic and Gold; Silver and Blue, Pink and Pink; Black and Red; White and Blue
* COST: E Series 15 $449.99 and up in Black; White; Aluminum Silver; Pink
* COST: E Series 17 $729.99 and up in Black; White
VAIO S Series
* Crafted in tough, weight-saving magnesium, aluminum and carbon fiber materials.
* 13-inch model now available in a new Burgundy Red color
* Now available in 13.3-inch Premium and 15.5-inch models
* COST: S Series 13 $799.99 and up in Black; Silver; White; Pink; Burgundy Red
* COST: S Series 13 Premium $1199.99 and up in Black; Gold; Gun Metallic
* COST: S Series 15 $849.99 and up in Black; White; Silver
"VAIO Tap 20 is creating a new category of PC’s by combining desktop PC functionality, battery-powered mobility, and multi-angle viewing," said Steven Nickel, VP, Sony VAIO. "This along with the innovative VAIO Duo 11 and the intuitive touch solutions incorporated across our existing PC portfolio, offers consumers flexibility to optimize their Windows 8 experience. Through the combination of compelling applications, Sony’s network services, and cross device connectivity, VAIO is leading the way in developing a new Touchworld experience. We expect when consumers think of touch PCs, they’ll think of VAIO."
The new touch enabled VAIO line will be available at the end of October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.
