Sony's New VAIO PCs Make Presentations Portable; Next-Generation GR Notebooks Bring B2B Offerings to the Big Screen

Business Wire, Oct 8, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2001

Sony increased its traction in the corporate environment with the introduction of the GR series of VAIO(R) notebook computers. Now the new fall lineup of GR models, featuring 15-inch displays, will give business users even more to yearn for.

"Our new GR models are specifically designed to accommodate business professionals," said Mark Hanson, vice president and general manager for VAIO PC marketing. "Now, they can have cool computers without sacrificing screen size and the power to fuel both creativity and productivity."

The Most Qualified Business Companion

Ideal as a desktop replacement, the new notebooks are easy on the eyes. With large and distinctive 15-inch SXGA or XGA + TFT displays, the GR290 and GR270 models boast brilliant viewing quality for the playback of business presentations and DVDs. The top-of-the-line GR290 is expected to sell for about $3,500 and the GR270 for about $2,700. The GR250 with a 14.1-inch screen offers a lighter alternative and has an expected selling price of $2,200.

The GR290 features the fastest mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) III processor -- M running at 1.2 GHz. Designed specifically for notebook PCs, the mobile Intel processor provides maximum performance by allowing machines to run cooler, have longer battery life and function more efficiently. Each unit is also equipped with a swappable multi-bay for the internal removable CD-RW/DVD combo drive or dual capacity battery.

The multi-bay functionality permits users to lighten the load of their PCs with the convenient weight saver or run multiple batteries at the same time, allowing professionals to work longer remotely. Additionally, all three new models offer VAIO Support Agent technology. Designed with intuitive specific VAIO software, the Support Agent feature provides business users with fast and easy help to computer questions by allowing them to search for solutions online or guiding them to various "how to" help pages.

With a Choice of Operating Systems, GR PCs are Ready for Business

Whether your business is standardized on Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 or migrating to Windows XP, the GR series has something to offer. Users can select from Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition. Windows XP combined with VAIO signature software offers superb connectivity and AV capabilities as well as enhanced work productivity with faster boot-up and resume times.

Bring a Little Creativity to Your Productivity

The new GR series with Windows XP ignites creativity by making it easier for users to create, download and share audio and video data with colleagues, friends or family. Additionally, the new GR series also comes equipped with a full selection of digital video editing software, including Sony's exclusive MovieShaker(TM), PictureGear(TM) and DVgate(TM) applications and an i.LINK(R) (IEEE 1394) digital interface to support high-speed transfer of digital video and audio data between compatible devices. With these multimedia features, business users have limitless ways to add some creative flair to presentations, marketing materials, portfolios and other projects. Each of the new GR PCs also sports a MagicGate(TM) Memory Stick(R) media slot for quick, high capacity storage and transfer of digital content, making it convenient to share files among colleagues.

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      Key Specifications, GR Series VAIO(R) Notebook PCs:

            PCG-GR290                       PCG-GR270

CPU         Mobile Intel(R)Pentium(R)III    Mobile Intel(R)Pentium(R)
            processor 1.2 GHz-M supports    III processor 1GHz-M
            Enhanced Intel(R)SpeedStep(TM)  supports Enhanced Intel(R)
            technology                      SpeedStep(TM)technology

LCD Display 15" SXGA+ TFT screen            15" XGA TFT screen

Dimensions  1.5" X 12.8" X 10.6"            1.5" X 12.8" X 10.6"
(H x W x D) 6.4 lbs. (with battery one      6.2 lbs. (with battery one
            battery and weight saver in     battery and weight saver
            multi-bay)                      in multi-bay)
            6.9 lbs. (with battery and      6.7 lbs.  with battery
            optical drive)                  (with battery and optical
                                            drive)

Operating   Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 Professional
System      Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
            Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition

Interfaces  i.LINK (IEEE 1394) interface, TV out, USB(3), RJ-11 modem
            jack, RJ-45 Ethernet, Memory Stick(R) media slot, VGA
            output monitor, parallel, headphone (stereo),
            mic-in, port replicator

Standard    256 MB SDRAM, expandable to 512 MB
RAM

Hard Disk   Removable 40.0 GB hard drive    Removable 30.0 GB hard
                                            drive

Among       Adaptec Easy CD Creator(TM)   RealNetworks(R)RealPlayer(R)
Included    Adobe Acrobat(R)Reader(TM)    Sony DigitalPrint
Software    Adobe PhotoShop Elements      Sony DVgate(TM)
Applica-    Adobe Premiere(R)LE           Sony MovieShaker(TM)
tions       Arcsoft(R)PhotoPrinter        Sony OpenMG(TM)Jukebox
            2000 Pro
            Microsoft(R)Word 2002         Sony PictureGear(TM)
            Norton AntiVirus(TM)          Sony Smart Capture
            PC-Cillin(R)2000              Sony SonicStage(TM)
            Quicken(R)2000 or 2002        Sony VisualFlow(TM)
            QuickTime(TM)                 VAIO(R)Support Agent
            RealNetworks(R)Real Jukebox   WinDVD(TM)3.1

Battery     High-capacity lithium-ion       High-capacity lithium-ion
            battery supports dual battery   battery supports dual
            operation                       battery operation
            2.0-3.0 hours with standard     2.5-3.5 hours with
            battery                         standard battery
            4.0-6.0 hours with double-      5.0-7.0 hours with double-
            capacity battery                capacity battery

Digital     ATI MOBILITY(TM)RADEON(TM)-D graphics chip, 16 MB video
Video       DDR SDRAM, 3D acceleration support

Digital     Windows(R)sound system compatible with 3D surround
Audio

Modem       Integrated V.90 modem

Drives      --  Internal removable CD-RW/DVD combo drive, External
                1.44 MB

Optional    --  PCGA-BP2E/ Additional Battery - $249.99
Accessories --  PCGA-UMS1/A USB mouse - $49.99
            --  PCGA-AC16V Additional AC adapter - $99.99
            --  PCGA-UFD5/ External USB floppy drive - $79.99
            --  PCGA-PRGR1/Port Replicator - $199.99
            --  PCWA-A100/Wireless LAN Access Point and PC Card
                - $449.99
            --  PCWA-C100/Wireless LAN PC Card - $149.99
            --  PCGA-CCF/Carrying Case - $99.99


Availa-     End of October 2001             End of October 2001
bility

Estimated   PCG-GR290, $3,499 - $3,599      PCG-GR270, $2,699 - $2,799
Selling
Price:


            PCG-GR250

CPU         Mobile Intel(R)Pentium(R)III
            processor 1GHz-M supports
            Enhanced Intel(R)SpeedStep(TM)
            technology

LCD Display 14.1" XGA TFT screen

Dimensions  1.4" X 12.3" X 10.3"
(H x W x D) 5.7 lbs. (with battery one battery
            and weight saver in multi-bay)
            6.3 lbs. with battery (with battery
            and optical drive)

Operating   Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 Professional

System      Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional

            Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition


Interfaces  i.LINK (IEEE 1394) interface, TV out, USB(3), RJ-11 modem

            jack, RJ-45 Ethernet, Memory Stick(R) media slot, VGA

            output monitor, parallel, headphone (stereo),
            mic-in, port replicator

Standard    256 MB SDRAM, expandable to 512 MB

RAM

Hard Disk   Removable 20.0 GB hard drive


Among       RealNetworks(R)RealPlayer(R)

Included    Sony DigitalPrint

Software    Sony DVgate(TM)

Applica-    Sony MovieShaker(TM)

tions       Sony OpenMG(TM)Jukebox
            Sony PictureGear(TM)
            Sony Smart Capture
            Sony SonicStage(TM)
            Sony VisualFlow(TM)
            VAIO(R)Support Agent
            WinDVD(TM)3.1

Battery     High-capacity lithium-ion battery
            supports dual battery operation
            2.5-3.5 hours with standard battery
            5.0-7.0 hours with double-capacity
            battery

Digital     ATI MOBILITY(TM)RADEON(TM)-D graphics chip, 16 MB video

Video       DDR SDRAM, 3D acceleration support


Digital     Windows(R)sound system compatible with 3D surround

Audio

Modem       Integrated V.90 modem


Drives      --  Internal removable CD-RW/DVD combo drive, External
                1.44 MB


Optional    --  PCGA-BP2E/ Additional Battery - $249.99

Accessories --  PCGA-UMS1/A USB mouse - $49.99

            --  PCGA-AC16V Additional AC adapter - $99.99

            --  PCGA-UFD5/ External USB floppy drive - $79.99
            --  PCGA-PRGR1/Port Replicator - $199.99
            --  PCWA-A100/Wireless LAN Access Point and PC Card
                - $449.99
            --  PCWA-C100/Wireless LAN PC Card - $149.99
            --  PCGA-CCF/Carrying Case - $99.99

Availa-     End of October 2001
bility

Estimated   PCG-GR250, $2,199 - $2,299
Selling
Price: