Vizio's making computers now

Vizio enters the Windows game with all-in-one PCs, ultrabooks this May (update) | The Verge

Very interesting. Those systems do look sharp. Now, lets see if service and support stack up, as well as quality. If its anything like the TV's though it should be fine.

 

The all-in ones look beautiful I have a feeling this is gonna be all form over function. I don't think that is really going to work with consumers.

 

That's my fear too. Gotta wait for the specs to really see for sure though!

 

The Vizio tablet isn't exactly stunning or better priced than other Android tablets on the market, and we've already seen $300 Lenovo laptops at Best Buy. So really, how much lower can you go without simply losing money on each sale? Which maybe they're willing to do to gain market share, who knows.

 

True on the first point. We enthusiasts also haven't seen any update plans on said tablet nor huge sales numbers.

On the latter. While those Lenovo's are decent looking, they still scream "budget computer." These look premium, more premium than any ultrabook, so I don't think that Vizio's aiming at the budget PC line, but instead aimed at undercutting the MacBook Air.

 

These definitely look like a MacBook air competitors. The all in one look like an iMacs down the the trackpad thing. I recall Viewsonic tried this a little while back and I don't think it went well for them.

 

I'm interested to see how the notebooks turn out. I'm surprised that Vizio didn't take one of their larger TVs and just stick a computer in the back, seeing that TVs are slowly becoming computers anyway (Internet TV, etc).

I think the only way that the price will be "unbelievable" will be either:
1) Vizio sells at a loss, as stated previously, or
2) These computers will have ARM chips similar to tablets.

I'm betting on the ARM chips, or maybe a combination of #1 and 2, but we'll just have to see what happens.

 

I'm kinda interested in the TV as a PC thing too...it's a logical extension IMO.

I really doubt its number 2 since they plan on launching this spring. Windows 8 isn't close to being ready yet and Windows 7 won't run on ARM, plus it would pretty much relegate them to netbook and nettop status in people's eyes. That would = no sales.

 

True, Win8 isn't out yet and having an ARM chip would make these computers netbooks/-tops, though seeing as these will be at an "unbelievable price" (I'm thinking $200 or below maybe), what do these costumers expect? Nobody could hope to have a gaming beast at such a low price point.

I really hope that at least one of the notebooks deploys with an ARM chips, or something non-x86. I'd pick one up just to see how a non-x86 system works, really . Raspberry Pi doesn't look like it's hitting the market anytime soon, unfortunately

...Or maybe Vizio is taking the alternate approach to unbelievable (huge price point, a la Apple) >.>

 

I don't think there is any way these will cost $200. The article the OP posted says Intel Ivy Bridge is in the notebooks.

 

From the article:

The timing might be coincidence imo. Vizio tends to aim towards having the cheapest price on their TVs (not that it's bad; I own a 22" model for my dorm), and I'd imagine they'd do the same for their computers with either ARM, or maybe even an Atom or E-series CPU since Win7 cannot run on ARM. Considering that non-netbook laptop market has price ranges from $300+ with well-established OEMs, I'm not sure how they can fit in against current offerings, unless they out-price them with a sub-$300 notebook.

But until Vizio makes an official statement about specs, it's all just a bunch of guesses.

 

Vizio laptops!? Ouch!

 

The fact that they're staying away from the "ultrabook" name despite being thin enough to qualify makes me think they're packing AMD processors.

 

Or maybe they're using something from the Intel Atom or AMD C or E lines? A cheap, thin laptop with a E-350 wouldn't be too bad.

 

Where are you getting that they're going to be cheap?
The machines themselves look pretty premium, and every hands-on I've read so far indicates that they are built decently well.

"Unbelievably priced" is just PR-speak for "we're going to undercut Apple". I seriously doubt they're going to rock pricing for an industry that already races to the bottom.

 

A man can have his dreams, right?

Obviously I have no inside knowledge in Vizio, so I don't know jack about the processors used.

 

I'm surprised there isn't more interest in these. I'm currently debating between the 15" Samsung Series 9 and the 15" Vizio ultrabook.

The Series 9 seems perfect in just about every way, but the price ($1500+) is a bit ridiculous. The Vizio ultrabooks look awesome (and since they were described at CES as mid-range devices my guess is that they'll be cheaper than the Series 9) but I haven't seen anything regarding specs. I do know that the 15" Vizio ultrabook doesn't seem to have an SD card reader, which already is a huge disadvantage.

Anyone else interested in these?

 

I am, especially since I'm looking at switching to a MacBook if there isn't a new Latitude this summer.

 

I'd be interested in a 13" version if I was in the market for a laptop right now.

 

Looks like these are only a few weeks away!

Confirmed: Vizio’s Beautiful Computers Arrive This Month - Gizmodo

The fact that they will be available at Wal-Mart makes me very optimistic about the price being reasonable.

EDIT: Found this which suggests the 14" ultrabook will be $898

 

Well then, look's like I'm eating my words about price...

Eh.

 

Vizio's PC unveiling event just started in NYC: https://twitter.com/VIZIO/status/213367565731381248

 

Well it's official. All three products (all-in-ones, notebook, ultrabooks) start at $898: Vizio details its first laptops: two thin-and-lights and a mainstream 15-incher, available now for $898 and up -- Engadget

The price makes these verrrry tempting

 

Interested to see how thick (or thin) the Thin + Light books are....

 

Do these one have backlit keyboard?

 

from the pics, it doesn't look like it - I guess we'll find out tomorrow at 5AM EST

 

Still looks good IMO. Giz has taken a look at them:

Vizio's Beautiful Sci-Fi Computer Fleet Lands Now for Cheapish (Updated: Hands On)

Sucks that the trackpads are still awful. It's something that Windows vendor's still cannot muster. Further proof that they should just leave the "no buttons" thing to Apple, they've won this war.

 

Anyone hear any news on a UK release?

 

Vizio site is now live: VIZIO Thin and Light High Resolution Ultrabook - Coming Soon | VIZIO

 

Full pricing info:

Thin + Light

• 14"/i3/4GB/128GB SSD: $900
• 14"/i5/4GB/128GB SSD: $950
• 14"/i7/4GB/256GB SSD: $1200
• 15.6"/i3/4GB/128GB SSD: $950
• 15.6"/i5/4GB/128GB SSD: $1000
• 15.6"/i7/4GB/256GB SSD: $1250

Notebook

• 15.6"/i3/4GB/500GB: $900
• 15.6"/i5/4GB/1TB: $1050
• 15.6"/i7/8GB/1TB + 32GB SSD: $1200

All-in-Ones

• 24"/i3/4GB/500GB: $900
• 24"/i5/4GB/1TB: $1050
• 24"/i7/8GB/1TB + 32GB SSD: $1250
• 27"/i3/4GB/1TB: $1100
• 27"/i5/4GB/1TB + 32GB SSD: $1250
• 27"/i7/8GB/1TB + 32GB SSD: $1350

That 15.6"/$950 thin and light is verrrry tempting

 

works with free xbox too.

 

Buying from where?

 

I think that only works if you buy a computer from Dell, HP, Bestbuy, or the Microsoft Store. Unless Vizio sells through Microsoft, I don't think you can get an Xbox with one.

 

They are: Buy VIZIO 24-Inch All-in-One - Full HD display, Intel Core i5 processor, SRS Premium Sound HD - Microsoft Store Online

 

Just read The Verge's long form piece on Vizio's pc launch, it's a pretty good read to hear about the direction they were going for and stuff. Apparently they were working on the touchpad drivers right up to manufacturing launch so hopefully those first look machines were indeed using pre-production drivers like they claim.

I wonder what the warranty is on these....they appear very tempting. Apple level of attention to detail + low price is a winning combination, for sure.

 

The warranty on their site says 1 year

 

These look interesting. I'm interested in the 15.6" thin & light or notebook, but I'm definitely going to wait for some reviews before even considering a purchase. It does look like a nice (thinner and lighter) replacement for my old FW490J. Screen quality and heat are my primary criteria. Other competitors: XPS 15, Envy 15 and Sony SE (I have a bias toward Sony at the moment). I almost never use a trackpad, so that news doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Does the GT 640M LE use DDR3?

 

And if you buy from Sam's Club or Costco, it's extended to 2 years: http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod7150081#warr

 

Does anyone have any idea when these will be shipping?

 

When you add it to your cart it shows July 9th as estimated arrival date for at least the i5 15" Notebook.

 

Sooner than I thought. An article I saw after the announcement said "before the end of summer" so I thought it'd be a while.

Only question now is which retailer to buy from.

The Microsoft Store includes a free Xbox 360 (with .edu email address.)
Amazon has no tax.
Costco/Sam's Club extend the warranty to two years.

Tough decision

 

I'm leaning towards Amazon since they offer Accidental squaretrade at a much lower price.

 

You can buy the item anywhere to qualify for the coverage. Just like how you can save a lot on a Squaretrade TV warranty via costco with a TV from anywhere: http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1154683/

 

The 15 inch "not an ultrabook" apparently has the 640M SE with 1 GB VRAM. Dunno if they said that flat out before, but there you go, I found out via Amazon.

Amazon.com: Vizio CN15-A2 15.6-Inch Laptop: Computers & Accessories

 

For laptops you've to purchase it from amazon or Costco to qualify for those costs. It's a partnership between square trade and amazon/Costco.

 

Its the same for everything other than how many days you have to register for the warranty. Its 30 days for smartphones for example. Where did you read you have to buy it from the place you buy your covered item?

 

For Amazon I called squaretrade. For Costco it's on the actual page of the warranty purchase.

"This service plan is exclusive to Costco Members. You must purchase the new computer from a Costco Warehouse or from Costco.com: Offering thousands of items you won’t find in your local Costco.. Other terms and conditions apply.* Touch screen tablets are not included in this Service Plan.
How the SquareTrade Service Works
Service plan must be purchased within 30 days of purchasing the computer."

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11758241&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|84|93597&N=4052812&Mo=1&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=93597&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

 

You are right, its strange that the policies vary with product type. The costco TV listing specifically says its OK if you don't buy it from them. Oh well.

 

Using an AMEX card automatically doubles your warranty up to one more year no matter where you buy it from and it also offers a complimentary 90 day accidental damage/theft coverage. Just food for thought for those with AMEX cards.