Sony's New VAIO notebook PC Cuts the Cord With Cable-Free Mobility

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2002

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

CES 2002

Booth No. 109-114

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2002

SRX77 Model Offers Wireless LAN Connectivity, Long-Life Battery and

Bright, Crisp Screen in Ultra-Lightweight Package

Plug in anywhere and plug in longer -- all without the plug -- with Sony Electronics' new VAIO(R) SRX77 notebook PC, announced today. This new model's wireless connectivity and long-life battery coupled with its exceptional digital entertainment capabilities combine to grant users the freedom to work and play more efficiently, wherever their business takes them.

An extension of the Sony SR line of notebook PCs built for the frequently mobile user, the SRX77 model features integrated IEEE 802.11b wireless capabilities for cable-free LAN connectivity.

For all-day use the new notebook PC comes with a bundled lithium-ion battery that lasts up to six hours on a single charge, along with a Low Voltage Mobile Intel(R) Pentium(R) III Processor 800 MHz-M and Sony's new heat dissipating technology that saves power and allows the machine to run cool. These feats of mobility unfold in a svelte, compact package that weighs only 2.76 pounds and measures only 1 inch thin.

"The VAIO SRX77 notebook PC finally cuts the cord for mobile consumers and business professionals who demand independence from AC adapters and phone lines without sacrificing fun and style when they're away from home or the office," said Mark Hanson, vice president and general manager of VAIO PC marketing for Sony Electronics. "Three essential factors of mobility -- wireless connectivity, long battery life and extreme portability -- added to the digital entertainment functionality unique to VAIO PCs make the SRX77 PC an extraordinary mobile computing solution."

Digital Entertainment Strays from Home, Office

The 10.4-inch XGA TFT LCD screen yields stunning images. LCD innovations such as new back lighting technology renders crisp, bright images, while a low-reflection panel prevents screen glare.

Complementing the impressive display is bundled digital video editing software, including Sony's MovieShaker(TM), PictureGear(TM), Smart Capture and DVgate(TM) software, plus an i.LINK(R) (IEEE 1394) interface to support high-speed digital video and audio data transfer from compatible devices such as Sony's camcorders. With these features, users can easily express their creativity -- in multimedia business presentations and video e-mails. And a MagicGate(TM) Memory Stick(R) media slot allows consumers to download, transfer and share secure digital content from one Memory Stick compatible digital device to another.

Make Your Connection with Wayport, Inc.

In addition to having integrated wireless capabilities, users of the new model can also benefit from access to high-speed wireless and wired Internet connections at more than 450 airports and hotels in the U.S. through a marketing promotion with Wayport, Inc. which is extending three special offers to purchasers of Sony's new VAIO SRX77 notebook PC:

-- Thirty days of unlimited use for Sony VAIO PC customers who purchase a
12-month Wayport Corporate or Individual Membership;

-- Three free 24-hour connects for Sony VAIO PC customers who purchase
Wayport's month-to-month plan; and

-- One free 24-hour connect for Sony VAIO PC customers.

Wayport connections put VAIO SRX77 users in touch with e-mail, the Internet and corporate networks while they are on the road. Locations in Wayport's growing network include all terminals and gates at Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle-Tacoma, San Jose and Austin-Bergstrom international airports; at select Four Seasons, Wyndham and Sonesta Hotels and Resorts; and at select MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, which manages brands such as Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Westin, Radisson and Doubletree hotels.

The new SRX77 PC comes equipped with a 20 GB hard drive, 128 MB SDRAM, center Jog Dial(TM) control with back button, integrated V.90 modem, built-in stereo speakers and a bundled external CD-ROM drive. Units ship next month with a Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional or XP Home operating system and will be available for about $1,500. For more information visit www.sony.com/vaio.

      Key Specifications, VAIO PCG-SRX77 PC, Spring 2002:

                        PCG-SRX77

CPU                     Low Voltage Mobile Intel(R)Pentium(R)III
                        processor 800 MHz -M(1)

LCD Display             10.4" XGA (1024 x 768) TFT

Operating System        SRX77: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home
                        Edition
                        SRX77P: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP
                        Professional

Dimensions              1.09" - 1.26" x 7.63" x 7.6" (H x W x D)
                        2.76 lbs. (with supplied battery)

Standard RAM            128 MB SDRAM (128 x 1), expandable to 256 MB

Hard Disk               20 GB(2) fixed

Software Applications   Adobe Acrobat(R) Reader(TM)
                        Adobe PhotoShop(R) Elements
                        Arcsoft(R) PhotoPrinter(R) 2000 Pro
                        Microsoft(R) Word 2002
                        PC-Cillin(R) 2000
                        Quicken(R) 2002
                        QuickTime(TM)
                        RealNetworks(R) Real Jukebox(R)
                        RealNetworks(R) RealPlayer(R)
                        Sony DigitalPrint
                        Sony DVgate(TM)
                        Sony MovieShaker(TM)
                        Sony PictureGear(TM)
                        Sony Smart Capture
                        Sony SonicStage(TM) for VAIO
                        Sony VisualFlow(TM)
                        VAIO(R) Support Agent
                        WinDVD(R) 3.1

Battery                 6-cell lithium-ion battery (PCGA-BP2S/HI)
                        Approx. 4.0 - 6.0 hours (with supplied
                        battery)

Digital Video           Intel(R) 815EM graphics chip with up to 11 MB
                        video SDRAM (shared) and Intel's Dynamic Video
                        Memory Technology

                        MPEG1 and MPEG2 software decoder

Digital Audio           Yamaha YFM753
                        Microsoft(R) sound system compatible

Modem                   Integrated V.90 modem

Drives                  External CD-ROM drive bundled

Interfaces              RJ-45 Ethernet jack, USB, i.LINK(R) (IEEE
                        1394) S400, headphone out, RJ-11 modem jack,
                        MagicGate(TM) Memory Stick(R) media slot,
                        VGA output (on supplied adapter), microphone
                        jack

Additional
Features                Built-in IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN,
                        Supports one type I or one type II PC card,
                        MagicGate(TM) Memory Stick(R) media slot,
                        Center Jog Dial(TM) control with back button

Optional Accessories/   --  External CD-RW/DVD combo drive
Estimated Prices            (PCGA-CRWD1) - $500
                        --  Additional lithium-ion battery
                            (PCGA-BP2S/HI) - $300
                        --  Double-capacity lithium-ion battery
                            (PCGA-BP4S) -  $500
                        --  Carrying case (PCGA-CCB or PCGA-CCR5)
                            - $50
                        --  USB mouse (PCGA-UMS1/A) - $50
                        --  USB floppy drive (PCGA-UFD5) - $80
                        --  Additional AC adapter (PCGA-AC16V3) - $100

Availability              February 2002

Estimated Price           $1,500