Sony 11.6 YA series notebook launched

Well, here it is, Sony's response to 11" MBA:

VPC-YA1 (Japanese)
VPC-YA1 Specs (Japanese)

I think it's a pretty lame response, unless they sell this for $600 or less, but a response nonetheless. Pre-order price in Hong Kong is HK$5980, which I think is about $777, so there may be some price advantage compared to MBA. The 3.2 lb weight is a big turn-off, I think.

 

^What makes you think that was a response to MBA. For platform to be ready to ship, they've been working on it for several months already.

 

Um, you might want to re-read what the OP was asking... He was not looking for a literal sense "response", which in that case you are right, but a competitor that will serve similar market that would be launched around the same time (but slightly later, hence the word, response).

 

Skyshade i moved your post to a new thread because it's a new launch and well worthy of its own thread.

 

^I read it just fine. IMO, It's not a response to MBA, it's simply a new 11.6" unit they are launching.

 

No problem.

For those of you want to understand what my comment was about on first and 3rd post, here is the original discussion:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/527840-sonys-response-macbook-air-11-inch.html

 

Sure it can be considered a response.

What is the first category for notebooks you sort by on ANY manufacturer website? SIZE.

Yeah, components don't match and MBA more powerful, but I purchased my Z for size first. THEN compared the guts of similar sized notebooks.

 

Response:
A reaction to something
an extended, jazzy piano solo drew the biggest response from the crowd
an honors degree course in Japanese has been established in response to an increasing demand

If you think this is a "reaction" or "response" to MBA, you are wrong. That's the only point I was trying to make.

 

Any idea when this will be launched in the US? I am looking to buy the Y Series for my wife and I think a smaller 11.6" laptop would be even better. what processor choices will there be?

 

I was hoping Sony would bring back the TT with updated specs.

Is quad SSD and the ATI still an option like it is on the 13in model?

 

So far there is no CTO option in Japan and Hong Kong. So the only known configuration is i3-380um, 320GB 5400RPM HDD and Interl graphics.

 

This looks like a TZ21 revival...

 

does ANYONE use the i7-XXXUM processors? and darn my lack of Japanese reading skills... i read 1920x1080 and got excited... then i realized that was the HDMI output ><

 

It looks like a cross between a Z and Y1/2 series. It's a welcome addition to the market. It is a more consumer orienated laptop and not a TT replacement in that sense. I hope Sony will offer config options for this laptop.

 

If the screen on this is better than average, and it offers the optional ATI gpu I may move to one and get an external optical drive. I just want Sony to give me a bloody TT with a better gpu, or cpu and I'd be set.

 

This is exactly what I was looking for this summer. At the time, I couldn't find anything on the market in the 11" size with a decent keyboard & build quality, so I got the Y.

The 11" MacBook Air is in another league unfortunately. I played with one the other day and it's seriously impressive. It makes the X seem like a legacy product from a previous generation.

 

Holy crap. The Japanese site offers so many more options than the American site. They even offer whole laptops that are not available in America. The hell!

If I ever get a Sony, I'll be buying it in Japan...that's crazy...

 

This will be offered in USA in a couple months, it replaces the 13" Y here.

 

Translation from the website suggest that they will be selling BOTH the Y series and the YA, maybe it also suggests that they will be selling BOTH model in the States as well?

 

^For now...but the Y is going away.

 

any way to know if it will be available to buy as a Christmas gift? if not I am considering the new Lenovo U260 - also an i5 11.6" sub 3lbs

 

U260 is actually 12.6in, and doesn't offer the optional ATI gpu of the 13in Y if those matter.

 

no discreet card needed.. its only for email, general MS Office stuff, websurfing etc. I like the look of the new u260 and at 3.04 lbs its nice and light. And you are right about the size. Since I just bought a Z1190 I thought it would be nice to have another Sony, and be able to share chargers (hoping the YA takes the same one)

G

 

I am not sure it is going to work work. My TT charger plugs in fine to my mother's Vaio F, but doesn't charge, and the same goes for the F on my TT, plugs in fine, but won't charge the TT.

If you already have the Z, I would personally be going with an 11in device, as 12.6in Lenovo is probably the same size as the already compact Z(not to mention the weight of both devices are pretty much the same).

 

TT takes 16V charge, other sony's take 19.6V. Back on topic...us launch date of yb is 1/9. Typically units show up at resellers 1-2 weeks prior, but ggold you'd be cutting it VERY close....

 

According to Japanese spec sheet, YA uses the same VGP-AC19V31 AC adapter as Z, so yes you would be able to share them. I also think u260's look very refreshing, but the battery life really has me worried. I would wait till some formal review to see if Lenovo was being conservative or they just put too small a battery in it.

 

Any news on the possibly of having a dedicated GPU on this? I'm fine with the Y and its i5 core/ATI. But if it's in a smaller package, I'll settle for i3 core/ATI.

 

US models get AMD APU solution.

 

You mean GPU not APU right?

 

No I meant apu....

 

I have never bought a non-intel based PC, but there always is a first.

What do you think of their choice? is it a low voltage with graphics built in?

BTW thanks for the info ....

G

 

Tough to say. It's a very low power part, and no benchmarks yet. It's certainly more powerful than atom (and dual core) but I would say probably benches quite a bit below the i3 ulv. Graphics should be quite a bit better than the Intel HM55 though.

 

on this site they just posted ;

Sony has introduced a new VAIO Y-series notebook with an 11.6-inch display. It weighs 3.52 lbs and features a Core i3-380M Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processor, 2GB of RAM (max. 8 GB), a 320GB hard drive, and up to a claimed six hours of battery life. Other features include an HDMI port and Bluetooth.

 

^That's not what's coming to the US.

 

Browsing the Sony site and noticed the Y has been removed. The replacement is the YA series with 11.6" screen. Link is not working yet but here's a screen grab.

https://shop.sony.co.uk/shop/VAIO-Laptop-PCs/YA-Series-11-6

 

Sorry should have searched, it seems this is old news

 

When will this one be released globally?
And is this is the only new one or will the other series also be renewed?