New Notebooks: Sony Extends Sleek Mobile PC Product Line By Adding All-in-one, High Performance Notebooks; Delivers Industry First with New 3MAX+ Notebook Systems - Product Announcement

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Feb 1, 1999

Sony Monday announced a new line of high performance, and value-priced mobile PCs with the PCG-F Series of VAIO multimedia notebooks. These all-in-one notebooks are among the first portable systems to offer full multimedia capabilities, including DV motion picture editing and DVD movie playback with dual batteries.

From the F190, with its brilliant 14.1" TFT active matrix display and the industry's first full motion DV editing capability, to the F150 system sporting a 300MHz Intel Pentium II processor starting at $1,699, the introduction of the new notebook series enables performance, mainstream, and budget-conscious business users alike a choice of mobile PCs based on their needs. Each of the F-Series models is less than 1.7" thick, weighs less than 7 lbs., and carries Sony's elegant and sleek mobile design. "With the success of our VAIO 505 SuperSlim notebook series, we have established Sony as a serious mobile computer provider and are well positioned to be the frequent business travelers' product of choice," said Mark Hanson, director of mobile computing for Sony Electronics' Information Technologies Marketing Division (ITMD). "The new VAIO F-Series of notebooks are designed for the ultimate business professional who demands a high performance PC with full AV capabilities." In addition, Sony will bolster its 800 series of notebook PCs with the introduction of the PCG-838 targeted for corporate business users who require full docking and dual drive capability. Enhanced 3MAX Features The F Series line debuts Sony's enhanced 3MAX features by introducing 3MAX . The complete F-Series line is supported by Sony's 3MAX commitment to include the industry's maximum display (14.1" TFT), maximum battery life (dual capable) and maximum mobility (less than 1.7" thin and less than 7 lbs.(a)). In addition, business users will appreciate the F-Series notebooks' three-spindle design, enabling, for example, the use of dual batteries along with DVD playback capability. "Sony's latest 3MAX mobile PCs provide an ideal platform for demonstrating the benefits of Intel's new mobile Pentium II processors," said Bob Jecmen, vice president, Intel Architecture Business Group, general manager, Mobile and Handheld Products Group. "Combining new, smaller processor packaging and the integration of Intel's Pentium II processor onto a single piece of silicon, mobile PC users will benefit from thinner, lighter mobile PCs like the Sony VAIO F-Series, that provide unprecedented performance and better battery efficiency." SONY F-SERIES NOTEBOOKS The PCG F-Series demonstrates Sony's strategy to AV/IT convergence by combining advanced multimedia capabilities and custom developed software with such features as DVD-ROM drives, DVD movie playback software, i.LINK (IEEE-1394) ports and Sony DVgate software for image editing. The top-of-line PCG-F190 model offers full digital video editing capability and is bundled with Sony DVgate motion and Adobe Premiere LE editing software, allowing business users with DV editing demands a complete solution all in one mobile PC. The VAIO PCG-F Series will begin shipping in February with estimated selling prices ranging from $1,700(b) to $3,300(b).

F-SERIES SPECIFICATIONS

  VAIO PCG-F190
  High-End Performance Business

Display         14.1" XGA TFT

CPU             366MHz Pentium II

Hard Disk       6.4GB HD

Standard RAM    64MB SDRAM

Battery         Li-Ion Dual Battery Capable

DVD-ROM         2X DVD w/ Movie Playback

Digital Video   i.LINK Port for Full DV Editing

Modem           V.90

Option          Port Replicator w/10Base T less than $200

Availability    February `99

ESP             $3,299.99 (b)


      VAIO PCG-F180
    Mainstream Corporate
       Entry-Level DVD

Display         14.1" XGA TFT

CPU             333MHz Pentium II

Hard Disk       4.3GB HD

Standard RAM    64MB SDRAM

Battery         Li-Ion Dual Battery Capable

DVD-ROM         2x DVD w/ Movie Playback

Digital Video   i.LINK Port for DV Still Editing

Modem           V.90

Option          Port Replicator w/10Base T less than $200

Availability    February '99

ESP             $2,499.99 (b)


       VAIO PCG-F160
    Budget-Conscious Business

Display         14.1" XGA TFT

CPU             300MHz Pentium II

Hard Disk       4.3GB HD

Standard RAM    64MB SDRAM

Battery         Li-Ion Dual Battery Capable

CD-ROM          24X CD-ROM Drive

Video Editing   i.LINK Port for DV Still Editing

Modem           V.90

Options         Port Replicator w/ 10Base T less than $200

Availability    February '99

ESP            $1,999.99(b)


        VAIO PCG-F150
          SOHO User

Display        13.0" XGA HPA

CPU            300MHz Pentium II

Hard Disk      4.3GB HD

Standard RAM   32MB SDRAM

Battery        Li-Ion Dual Battery Capable

CD-ROM         24X CD-ROM Drive

Video Editing  i.LINK Port for DV Still Editing

Modem          V.90

Options        Port Replicator w/ 10Base T less than $200

Availability   February '99

ESP            $1,699.99(b)