Sony joins the Netbook party as expected

Author: Tim Smalley
Published: 9th January 2009
Comments (24) Stumble
Sony joins the Netbook party as expected

As expected, Sony has entered the netbook market at CES with the launch of its incredibly svelte Vaio P-series 'lifestyle notebook'.

CES 2009: As expected, Sony has entered the netbook market at CES with the launch of its incredibly svelte Vaio P-series 'lifestyle notebook'.

The P-series is touted as the world's lightest eight inch notebook weighing just 636 grams and is the first truly pocket sized netbook we've seen to date. Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer proved the point by pulling one of his suit pocket during his keynote yesterday.

It features a 1,600 x 768 LED backlit ultra-wide display with an eight-inch diagonal and incorporates HSDPA, 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth connectivity options.

Like most netbooks, it's based on Intel's Menlow platform, but unlike every other netbook, Sony has opted for a slower 1.33GHz Atom processor and equipped it with 2GB of RAM. Storage options include a 60GB mechanical hard drive or a 128GB SSD.

Sony says the P-series features a four-hour battery life with the standard battery, but there is a larger battery option available which will take that up to eight hours.

Expansion slots include a Memory Stick Pro, MMC and an SD memory slot. There are also two USB ports (one on either side), a headphone jack, a display/LAN adapter port with a breakout cable and a webcam with a microphone.

Sony joins the Netbook party as expected Sony joins the Netbook party as expected
Click to enlarge

Probably the most disappointing thing about the P-series netbook is that Sony has decided to install Windows Vista Home Premium on the machine. We think that's a mistake given the limited horsepower on offer and, what's more, it's not even a 1.6GHz Atom and our experiences with Vista on netbooks hasn't been particularly great, frankly.

And with the P-series configurations starting at $899 USD, pricing will be another kicker as well. Frankly, it's a lot of money to pay for a netbook, even if it is as svelte as the P-series is.

Got a thought? Share it with us in the forums.
Quote NiHiLiST 9th January 2009, 22:27
I hope they had a very good reason for going for the slower CPU. Everything else about it is spot on, but I suppose it needed its individual little failing like all the other netbooks.

That and the price...
Quote sui_winbolo 9th January 2009, 22:29
D=

What's with the eraser mouse and no trackpad?

Seriously? It may look sweet, but it's usability goes down the crapper doing that.
Quote Joeymac 9th January 2009, 22:46
I'm going to hold out another year for a netbook.... With Windows 7 on it, multi-touch screen and hopefully a dual core atom will be standard by then. These devices are going to be amazing.
Quote Krikkit 9th January 2009, 22:53
Nipple mouse > trackpad tbh.

That looks like a swish bit of kit - I'd have that with XP on it if I were looking for a classy portable. :D
Quote freedom810 9th January 2009, 23:02
Looks like the best out IMO, deffo get one if I could afford it. Be really useful being so small to take to college.
Quote hodgy100 10th January 2009, 00:11
Looks nice, but way overpriced as expected, ill be getting the samsung thanxbai
Quote DarkLord7854 10th January 2009, 00:33
For that price, might as well get a laptop
Quote Firehed 10th January 2009, 00:38
$899 for a netbook? fail.

I assume that's a touchscreen, as I don't see a trackpad. And that would be just a little bit of an oversight for a laptop
Quote DarkLord7854 10th January 2009, 00:49
Quote:
Originally Posted by Firehed
$899 for a netbook? fail.

I assume that's a touchscreen, as I don't see a trackpad. And that would be just a little bit of an oversight for a laptop

I's not touchscreen, it's one of the old kind of mice, from like.. what.. 15 years or so ago? The little button thing that you bend in the direction you want the mouse to go
Quote Confused Fishcake 10th January 2009, 01:22
I believe many of you are unaware of the correct nomenclature for the pointing device:
http://xkcd.com/243/

As to the netbook though, can't see anything to justify the cost since IMHO its not even that pretty.
Quote StephenK 10th January 2009, 04:55
Think I'll stick with my Eee, thanks :P
Quote docodine 10th January 2009, 05:25
My opinion of this thing was rising until I saw the $899 price tag.

For that price, I would rather buy another 4870, a 64GB SSD and a watercooling kit.
Quote billysielu 10th January 2009, 09:05
Up to 4 hours battery, so realisitcally probably 3 hours. Disappointing. They made a T-series a lot like this in 2004, but that had 7 hours.
Quote Evildead666 10th January 2009, 12:51
I really like it, but the price is a bit of downer...
will wait and see what happens when it is readily available....maybe the price will drop a bit...
Quote perplekks45 10th January 2009, 15:27
899$? Means like 898£? Yeah, right....

No thanks.
Quote ElThomsono 10th January 2009, 15:49
Well I love it, and it seems logical for Sony to take it to the high end instead of trying to compete on price, and according to their website it has GPS, which is the first I've seen.

But at that price, I doubt I'll be getting one any time soon.
Quote Stickeh 10th January 2009, 16:47
http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/jimmy-fallon-and-engadget-raw-and-uncut/
Quote Anakha 10th January 2009, 18:02
Most people seem to forget that Sony was doing the "little PC that fits in your pocket" LONG before Asus brought out their Eee.

May I present, The Sony VAIO C1 Picturebook. As made in 1999 (IIRC): http://www.sony.net/Fun/design/history/product/1990/pcg-c1.html

They continued to refine the design, and increase the specs, until the early '00s, at which point the PCG-C1xx line stopped being made.

I'm glad to see this return to form for Sony. Here's hoping it does them well once again.
Quote mclintox 10th January 2009, 18:36
Thats a lot of cash.If your'e going to spend that much on one,you'd be better off with a decent spec laptop.If your main concern is portability,go for it,but for me they're a non starter.
Quote Mister_Tad 10th January 2009, 18:55
I'd be tempted to pay it just for the shape & size, and that screen looks to be sublime.
Quote titanium angel 10th January 2009, 18:56
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anakha
Most people seem to forget that Sony was doing the "little PC that fits in your pocket" LONG before Asus brought out their Eee.

May I present, The Sony VAIO C1 Picturebook. As made in 1999 (IIRC): http://www.sony.net/Fun/design/history/product/1990/pcg-c1.html

They continued to refine the design, and increase the specs, until the early '00s, at which point the PCG-C1xx line stopped being made.

Yes but Asus gave us the "little PC that fits in your pocket for peanuts" The sony is too expensive imo and i cant see it selling well. If it had an apple logo on it however it would sell like hotcakes!
Quote Burnout21 10th January 2009, 19:42
if you're a CEO of a multi national, and being driven around in the back of your high end limo, would you really like an EEE-PC, na i think sony got this one right, its for the super rich who want to surf the net in the car and on there private jet.

Should go nicely next to there blackberry or iphone..
Quote Er-El 11th January 2009, 15:19
I think I'd like one of these with Windows 7 on it.
Quote billysielu 13th January 2009, 23:19
The only way a Netbook will fit in your pocket, and have a good resolution, is with a rollable-tft. See http://www.polymervision.com/
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