Sony Enters the Netbook Market

Sony just made the plunge into the netbook menagerie with the unvieling of the Sony Vaio W. Like all netbooks, the Vaio W is ultra-compact, (1.3 inches thick, weighs 2.6 pounds) making it ideal for people constantly on the go. But unlike other netbooks, Sony has upped the ante on the screen with a 10.1 inch LED backlit screen with 1366 x 768 resolution. The netbook also has an “ultra-wide display” that allows the user to view two full websites side by side.

The Vaio W also comes with the VAIO Media plus Multimedia Streaming software, an app that allows users to stream content such as videos, images, and music wirelessly to and from DLNA-enabled devices like your primary PC or better yet,  your PlayStation 3 via your home network. In addition the netbook comes equipped with a Intel Atom N280 CPU webcam and 160 GB on the hard drive, more than enough space for all that content you’ll be streaming back and forth.

Bluetooth and 802.11n Wi-Fi enabled, the W can use additional peripherals without monopolizing spare slots and can access high-speed internet access. Other features include a built in webcam and microphone, two USB ports, a SD slot and a separate slot for a memory stick. For those of you worried about keeping things green, the Vaio is ENERGY STAR® 5.0 compliant, EPEAT Gold registered. It comes packaged in cardboard made of 95% recycled materials and the screen is free from harmful Mercury.

Preinstalled with Windows XP Home Edition, the W is available in three colors: berry pink, sugar white and cocoa brown. It’s expected to retail at about $500, which is much more than comparable units from other companies. The rationale behind the steep price is that the Vaio is being marketed as a premium laptop. You can pre-order the netbook on SonyStyle.com.