UPDATED: Sony VAIO FW multimedia notebook launches

World's first 16.4-incher

15 July 2008 9:49 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Sony has unveiled the VAIO FW notebook - a multimedia PC that "displays HD movies the way they were meant to be seen".

The VAIO FW notebook (which replaces the FZ range) comes in multiple configurations, including a premium and a standard model.

The premium model can play Blu-ray movies in full 1080 HD resolution when connected to a compatible HDTV via HDMI and can record, store and play back personal content on high-capacity BD media.

Weighing just over 6 pounds, the FW notebook features the world's first 16.4-inch display, which Sony says combines the benefits of a slightly larger 17-inch widescreen with the smaller "footprint" of a 15.4-inch model.

This unusual display is said to be ideal for Blu-ray movies as HD films are shot with a 16:9 aspect ratio, so the unit's XBRITE-HiColor LCD is constructed with the same dimensions.

The screen also benefits from a new cyclinder design – which means that the screen sits behind the keyboard itself.

Powered by new Intel Centrino 2 technology, it gets 802.11n wireless and comes bundled with a host of VAIO software as well as Vista.

The notebook offers Memory Stick media/SD card slot, three USB ports, an i.LINK IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack, and a 34mm ExpressCard slot.

Available in titanium gray and powder white, the FW standard model starts at about $1000, while the FW premium will go for around $1750.

UPDATE: Sony has now revealed the UK trade prices.

The entry level model is the FW11E, which has a £681 price tag and offers 250GB HD, Microsoft Vista Home Premium, and 3GB of memory.

Next is the FW11M, which is £851, comes with a Blu-ray combo drive and 4GB memory.

The third launch is the FW11S, which is priced £936, and comes with Blu ray read and write, and the final launch - the top of the range model is £1106.

Full tags

Hardware, Laptops, Sony, Blu-ray, Intel