Sony Vaio users get internet without need for Windows

Check email, internet, Skype, YouTube without turning on OS

23 June 2009 19:07 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Sony is to allow users to access the internet, email, Skype, images and other elements of their Vaio laptop without turning on the Windows operating system.

The Japanese company will add the Splashtop instant-on platform to its new Sony VAIO NW series notebooks announced on Monday, the company has now confirmed.

Splashtop, created by DeviceVM, allows consumers to surf the web seconds after powering on their notebooks giving them access to twitter, YouTube and other internet services without having to go through loading up the operating system.

Although currently on the one model from Sony, the new partnership could see future Vaio offerings coming with the same technology, a spokesperson told Pocket-lint.

DeviceVM already offers the Splashtop Linux based application that is stored within the processor's bios to HP, Lenovo, ASUS, and LG with plans to offer the technology on Acer's nettop Aspire Revo and possibly other models in the future also confirmed.

Although DeviceVM says that consumers could retrofit the technology to their current laptop it's not a simple process. Instead the company recommends contacting manufacturers to see if they will offer a firmware firmware update for older models.

The new Vaio NW notebook range claims to offer "entry-level" pricing for a Blu-ray-equipped laptop and comes with a high-res 15.5-inch widescreen display with Sony's "XBRITE-ECO" LCD tech as well as HDMI out to play the Blu-ray content on your big screen TV.

Specs include a 2.10GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB RAM, a 400GB hard drive, webcam and mic as well as an optional dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 graphics card.

DeviceVM has confirmed to us that unlike HP's QuickPlay offering, users won't be able to access the Blu-ray drive without starting Windows.

"We are about accessing the internet, not your multimedia functions of your computer."

Full tags

Hardware, Laptops, DeviceVM, Sony, Acer, Online