New Sony VAIO X Series Announced

I signed up for the email notifications through my Sony account, but there's nothing so far. It won't be released until Windows 7 is released, anyway...

 

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news_details.php?id=19039

 

chinavaio, thanks for the link

Is the space bar that small on Japanese keyboards only??

 

I ALSO LIKE x505,AND GREEN LIGHT.

 

The x505 is an old model.

 

Yes. The Japanese keyboard has extra keys to the left and right of the space bar. They're actually not really necessary (or often used) when typing in Japanese, so i suppose they could be remapped to a space bar. On the other hand, I can't stand the small Enter key on the US keyboards; I always miss it!

 

That's one of the benefits of a UK English keyboard, we always have the bigger enter key!

So I guess another day or two and we will finally learn the specs, then I can get my wallet out

 

Make tht European

The German one has the large enter key too.

Oh, and I have € and µ on my keyboard

 

Yes, since a Japanese keyboard will have extra characters on the bottom row. Since you can order the Japanese one with a US English keyboard, it will be fine.

 

weird since most people think the US key is easier to hit because it is closer to home position

 

When you say the X will come out 6th Oct. in Japan, are you saying info. on specs. only or will SonyJP be ready to take online orders? I can't imagine Sony releasing the X with Vista when W7 is just weeks away. I think, Sony will release specs and a starting pricepoint, then later, allow open orders online.
I expect the starting price to be high compared to other netbooks out there, if it is indeed classified as a hi-end netbook. If not, it'll still be priced high compared to other ultra-portable notebooks. That's just Sony for you. Don't forget that the P and W Series are Sony's competitive netbook. The X, at 11.2 will be IMO a class of its own unless its offered as a 13.1 to compete with the MBAir.

 

I were exciting, but then thinking of an Atom cpu that priced at 2k makes me go mehhhhhhh........

 

More 'live' pics:

 

Shouldn't the touchpad also be wide to match the screen's aspect ratio, it just isn't wide enough.
And shame it doesn't have HDMI out either.

 

Yeah the touchpad does seem a bit on the small side, especially for those of us used to the large touchpad on the Z.

 

It looks like a CR without the optical drive. Sure doesn't look like an 11.2, more like a 14.1.

If its fair to compare the X to the X505, I like the design of the X505, but I prefer the palmrest design of the X with the trackpad. I didn't like that rubber tip ball on the X505.

 

The touchpad looks too small to me too. Sony doesn't get this yet.

 

Thanks for the pics Steve78!

Also to me doesn't seem like a 11.2 laptop, the footprint is so much bigger than this of the TZ (maybe is the resolution). Anyways is not for me, I am searching for a smaller size laptop to complete with my Z90. I will wait for the P2 to come out.

 

What do you mean by P2? New P models will out very soon, with windows7.

maybe you think pinetrail will be inside P too and are waiting for that?

next year then...

 

P models will be sold with 1.86/2ghz processors in the EU.
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-p-series/tab/models

Most likely the X will use those same processors as well.

 

Rachel, any idea what is the performance of those processors is like?

I had hoped the X will have a ULV CPU.....

 

Atom Z530 and Z540 probably score around 340-360 Passmark CPU points. (counted in XP/Vista not Win 7)

That's faster than Atom N280 and slower than Intel Pentium M 2.0GHz.

 

I did think that the 2ghz might possibly have the edge over my 1.33 in my TX. It might even be the case. My TX is more like a netbook now anyway because technology does not stand still.
I ran that test on my TX that has a 1.33 CS processor and got 395.


With a 2ghz atom the X will have enough power for basic things.

 

how can something become a netbook over time?

if it worked fine years ago, why not today? unless you are using it for hardcore tasks fow which software became more hungry, but for regular usage, even 10 years old computers are fine.

 

Specs leak? $1500 for a Z550.

 

oh...poor battery life with standard...this is much worst than i've expected...i hope 2ghz atom will be fast enough

 

They say:

I just hope that it doesn't equate to £1499! Still, it's a nice spec and a 2GHz Atom chip should be sufficient for what most users will use this notebook for. If anyone wants raw power, then they shouldn't even be considering a notebook like this. Just my humble opinion...

Reckon we'll get a 256GB SSD or is that just being hopelessly optimistic?

 

why would you need 256GB on this baby? its clearly not a multimedia notebook.

i'd rather see a small, but very fast SSD inside.

 

Why? Well why not? I'd take a 128 drive, but it would be nice to have a 256GB option for that price. I don't see a performance issue with a 256GB drive either, most quality SSD's are blazingly fast, regardless of size.

 

Yep, I am waiting for the P with Pinetrail...is it confirmed that is coming next year? Because in the beggining was supposed to be released at Q4 of 2009. Sony announced Vaio P "mark 2" long time ago:

http://www.slashgear.com/sony-vaio-p-mark-2-coming-october-faster-boot-promised-1049047/

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/10/sonys-vaio-p-mark-2-hopefully-learns-from-past-mistakes/

I think in Japan we will see soon this upgrade. The models are coming now in Europe as the P39, are old in Japan (these with the 2.0 ghZ CPU). Always in Europe we take what in Japan is old.

Sorry for the off topic, about the X: Guys, still? $1500 for an Atom? I expected it, but I always hoped for CULV...I can't believe Sony has now 3 netbooks, if you read the comments about the specs, if the X had the CULV would be a great success for Sony.

 

why didn't sony wati for the new processor? I was very interested but it turn out they are using Atom 2.0Ghz which is SLOW>....

 

What is the next-gen Atom chip? Isn't it codenamed Pine View? Perhaps you could wait for the refresh in Q1 2010 when the new chips will be available.....?

 

So is a 11.6inch screen? Lenovo just released IdeaPad U150: 11.6 and Intel CULV and HDMI! Why Sony are you destroying the best looking laptop with the Atom? I still hope, these specs are only rumors.

I think also that the Pine View platfrom is coming in January.

 

256GB costs more than some netbooks, so its very costly.

Rather put a fast 64GB inside and cut down the price.

I have 64GB inside my sony SZ, windows7, and still 30GB of free space for download.

 

It has an 11.1" screen, Engadget copied the specs wrong. And yes, Pinetrail will be announced at CES in January.

 

TDP, heat, airflow, size and weight.

 

The majority of customers will be more than happy with the recent 11.6" CULV machines, such as the Acer 1410/1810.

Sony obviously isn't targeting the regular customers despite creating their W series netbook, let's hope whoever they are targeting will purchase this X series.

 

At least it comes with two batteries standard, so at least that makes the hurt a little less.

 

If your after an all day laptop for basic tasks this could actually be good value. At $1,299 (€833 ex vat) it a plausible proposition for road warriors with the 2 batteries being standard kit. Others may just see Atom Atom Atom and a lack of Ion but for those of us that need to go from 8-8 without a recharge this could be worth it.

I'm sure Sony will bone its European customers with a straight dollar to Euro conversion, or worse. Time to call Japan.

 

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...ryId=8198552921644667494&N=4294954366#gallery

Is that the extended battery in left bottom picture in the gallery? OMG! THE HORROR!

 

You can see the extended battery and how it effects the profile (significantly) here.

http://www.engadget.com/photos/vaio-x-spotted-in-champagne/

I do think Sony have managed to produced a wedge type battery which on a Vaio I think is a 1st (prop wrong though). Should be extremely well balanced. Looks ok to me but its going to be controversial on a laptop like this.

 

Somehow, sitting an untra thin netbook (forgive me for categorizing this beautifully designed machine as just a netbook) on an extended battery just seems like such a turn off for me...

No doubt the extended battery is very nicely designed, but it's almost like jacking up the X because it's too thin so it's more comfortable to type on?...

Like I paid 15 hundred for a super thin notebook, but I actually need to jack it up so it can outlast my Z's battery life. IMHO, the X would tempt me if it can get 14 hours with the standard battery, given it's only got an Atom.

I can't blame Sony for bringing out this lovely netbook, however, crippled by the current battery technology. Let's hope Obama's stimulus money for battery advancement would get us something.

 

Sad that they couldn't even put ION in there. I wonder if the reason for lack of a better processor is heat dissipation?

Also anyone know how that 2Ghz atom would fare vs. a U7600 chip?

Maybe there is still hope for better chip options through custom orders in Japan?

 

Am I the only one that's having trouble finding the vend on the X?... I know it should be on the back, but where is the duct?

I know it's got a fan:


It's smart of Sony to wipe out that extended battery not till the official announcement...Generating so much hype about the 14 hour battery life with such a thin profile.

 

I am not sure about that extended battery. I was thinking (and hoping for) a battery slice like the new HP Envy. To me, it makes sense.

Putting wedge to raise the back probably helps typing, and really judging by previous Sony models it should not be much of a surprise. But the shape of this one is really weird -- it leaves a hollow space between laptop and the bottom of battery. I mean, that thing pushes the laptop up at least 1" and what's the point of thinning the laptop to 0.5" while still having to carry a 1" thick battery?

 

Well, it's been announced in Japan: starting at 89,000yen, http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Special/Computer/Vaio/X/index.html

 

Sweet So its about$1000US, and it would be possible to have a even lower price in the US. Yep, this is a much reasonable price compared to before. It is so light If I read the Japanese right, it states that the longest it can last is 20 hours, and the standard is 10 hours, and With an Atom Z550（2 GHz). It is a sweet little machine.

 

89,000yen is like $900USD...
how come we have to pay $1300...

 

Where did you get the 1300 price?