Sony Announces New Ultraportable VAIO SA

by Sohrab Osati | May 26, 2011 | 23 comments
Sohrab Osati

Are you in need of an ultraportable and powerful laptop that can have 15 hours of battery lifetime? Yea, so are we and thankfully, Sony has the cure. Meet the Sony VAIO SA, an ultraportable 13.3-inch magnesium-and-alloy chassis laptop. Despite being only 0.95 inches thick, the VAIO SA packs some serious power with,

  • Intel Core i7 Processor
  • AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics and 1GB of video memory
  • 1600 x 900 resolution
  • LED Backlit Keyboard
  • Intel Wireless Display 2.0 (for video streaming to your television)
  • Mic/Camera with Face Tracking and Exmor Sensor  (allows the camera to automatically adjust focus and follow you as you move around while video chatting.)
  • 500GB hard drive
  • Fingerprint reader (perfect for those who want a little extra security)
  • Blu-ray drive (reader and writer)
For those who want a little more out of their VAIO SA, Sony will allow you to custom order one with a dual channel solid-state drive which if combined with their sheet battery upgrade ($150), will let you achieve 15 hours of battery lifetime. The SA series start around $1,350 and will be available this June.
As always, hit the jump for the official press release and more pictures. What do you guys think? Do you fancy smaller more powerful laptops or do you prefer a larger screen with all that power?

 

SONY BRINGS MORE POWER TO GO WITH NEW S SERIES LAPTOPOptional Sheet Battery Doubles Battery Life Up to 15 Hours 

SAN DIEGO, May 25, 2011 – Sony’s newest S Series VAIO® laptop combines for the first time portability, performance and power in a thinner, lighter design perfect for everyone from students to business travelers.

The new S Series continues Sony’s efforts to offer users more personalized options and flexibility that fits their lifestyle. Select S Series models sport elegant design in burnished brown, jet black or platinum silver with magnesium and aluminum materials, and incorporate a built-in lithium polymer battery that when coupled with the advanced large-capacity optional sheet battery, can stay mobile and unplugged for up to 15 hours with solid state drive configurations. Intelligent charging enables you to charge the optional sheet battery separately and attach it to the system without shutting down for maximum flexibility.

“Users these days want a laptop that will last for hours without charging, is small and light enough to carry around with you but doesn’t sacrifice any of the performance and power that you’d find in a full-sized PC,” said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Networked Technology and Services Division at Sony Electronics. “You can fly nonstop from Los Angeles to Tokyo or attend a full day of classes on just one charge with this S Series laptop when combined with the optional sheet battery.”

This 13.3-inch S Series is packed with powerful performance-all in a thin 0.95-inch profile that only weighs 3.8-pounds with the standard battery. Incorporating all the mobility of VAIO laptops, this new model delivers impressive portability and performance with the available second generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor. Coupled with Hybrid Graphics as well as dual channel solid state drive options (select models), the S Series laptop is truly top of the line.

Ultra Mobility and Performance

Performance is top priority with the second generation Intel Core i7 processor that delivers even more performance automatically when you need it. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the processors increase speed automatically delivering the performance needed for multitasking.

AMD Radeon™ HD 6630 1GB Hybrid Graphics card (select models) with 1GB VRAM gives a premium visual quality and intense HD performance without placing huge demands on the CPU. Plus, it offers a performance boost to your day-to-day processor functions for a faster, more optimized overall computing experience.

For maximum performance and ample storage, select models feature dual channel solid state drive with RAID 0 technology.

The S Series laptop comes with one-touch VAIO, ASSIST and WEB buttons, for launching Media Gallery™ software, VAIO Care™ software and access to the web without full boot-up into Windows®, all with a touch of a button.

The new S Series models offer a built-in web camera powered by an Exmor™ sensor that allows for great low-light performance. With exceptional picture quality, the 13.3-inch (1600×900) widescreen display includes an LED backlit keyboard, illuminating the lettering for typing in low-light situations. And with the built-in microphone you can video message with family, friends and coworkers. Face tracking technology allows the camera to automatically adjust focus and follow you as you move around while video chatting.

Packed with Multimedia

Sony knows entertainment is always at the forefront and the VAIO S Series delivers. Whether you’re watching a stunning Blu-ray Disc™ movie (select models) or enjoying video captured from your compatible camcorder. The versatile Blu-ray Disc drive on the VAIO S Series laptop (select models) combines the power of HD video playback with the convenience and utility of DVD and CD read/write functionalities. Providing the best picture and the best sound with stunning clarity, Blu-ray Disc technology is the ultimate way to enjoy your entertainment.

With Intel® Wireless Display 2.0, you can sit back and experience your favorite videos, photos and music on your TV. Stop crowding around a laptop screen and view and share content from your hard drive, home network or the internet wirelessly on your HDTV utilizing the adapter (sold separately; restrictions apply).

Pricing and Availability

The VAIO S Series laptops are available for pre-sale today at www.sonystyle.com/sseries starting at about $1,350, and the optional sheet battery at about $150.

Additionally, Sony added two new colors to its existing S Series line. The new pink and blue S Series models will available at www.sonystyle.com/sseries starting in June.