Sony launch AR-Series Blu-ray laptops

Sony launches first Blu-ray laptop

16 May 2006 13:42 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Sony has announced its first Blu-ray laptop range today. The new models have been launched at the same time as the company's new Micro PC is the VAIO AR-Series

The flagship model is the AR11S and it will feature a 17-inch WideUltraXGA2 screen with a native resolution of 1920 x 1200 to allow you to watch full HD resolution video, all the way up to the maximum possible HD resolution of 1080.

In addition, the AR-Series will also sport a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output to allow you to connect to an external display like an HD-ready TV or Full HD desktop display.

Inside and the unit sports an Intel Core Duo processors up to and including the 2GHz T2500 and a NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600. Also includes is the 256MB of dedicated video memory for optimum performance. The specifications are rounded off by massive hard disc capacity of up to 200GB.

If that wasn't enough the laptop will feature a built in digital camera and microphone as well as a hybrid Digital TV-Ready (DVB-T) Tuner.

Prices in the UK will be £1,999 for the VGN-AR11S (with Blu-ray) and £1,499 for the VGN-AR11M. In the US, Sony has said that the AR Standard model will start at about $1,800, while the AR Premium Blu-ray Disc enabled model will go for about $3,500.

The Premium model will be shipped with the Sony Pictures Entertainment Blu-ray Disc release, "House of Flying Daggers", providing a high-definition experience on the PC right out of the box.