Sony has taken the wraps off a new design for its Vaio desktop
computer.
The Vaio W series is built around a 15.3-inch widescreen TFT LCD
with 1,280 x 768 pixel resolution. The guts of the computer are
built into a box behind the monitor, which keeps the unit looking
thin. The keyboard is integrated into the package and folds down
from in front of the monitor, a position it can be kept in when not
in use.
The machine has a 1.2GHz Intel Celeron processor with 256Mbytes of
memory, a 40Gbyte hard disk drive, a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, built-in
Ethernet adapter, TV tuner and a slot for Sony's MemoryStick memory
cards.
On the software side, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating
system and Sony's GigaPocket LE are bundled with the machine. The
Sony application allows the computer to be used as a digital video
recorder, storing up to 18 hours of television in MPEG2 format at a
3Mbps data rate and 352 x 240 pixel resolution. The company's
MovieShaker video editing software, DVGate software for working
with DV format camcorders and three original packages for working
and manipulating digital still images are also included.
Desktop personal computers that pack a flat panel display and the
computer into a single case have been becoming more and more
popular in recent years as LCD panel prices fall to make the
machines more affordable.
The Vaio W101 will go on sale in Japan on 2 February for around
160,000 yen (£831). The company said it has no plans to sell the
device overseas.