The mettle of Sony’s champion VAIO desktop PCs is getting even stronger with today’s announcement of key feature, processor and memory upgrades on select fall models. Seven new VAIO desktop PCs in all will be hitting stores in October.
“Consumers spend way more time at home having fun than working on spreadsheets or word processing,” said Mark Hanson, vice president of Sony’s VAIO PC marketing. “That’s why Sony is constantly improving the power and prowess of the VAIO desktop PC’s entertainment features. This fall’s VAIO line up is one more step in that continuous improvement.”
Topping the list is a new VAIO Digital Studio (RX590G) with Giga Pocket™ Personal Video Recorder feature, with a TV tuner and a DVD-RW drive for watching, recording, storing and sharing digital video.
The new RX590G model has an Intel® Pentium® 2.0 GHz processor, a whopping 512MB of RDRAM and a high-capacity 100GB hard drive. The RX590G also includes an HPNA modem for households that want to share live TV or recorded video from the Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder; or high-speed Internet access, printers and drives among multiple PCs.
Like other Digital Studio PCs equipped with the Giga Pocket feature, the RX590G enables users to watch TV and record home videos or TV programs onto the hard drive. The consumer can plan ahead by using the free iEPG (Internet Electronic Program Guide) service to record shows up to 14 days in advance. Digital video content, once recorded onto the hard drive, can be exported onto a DVD using DVD-RW technology.
The RX590G also features Dolby digital optical output, allowing users to connect the system to a receiver with Dolby digital recorder. The included Dolby Virtual Surround Headphones allow for virtual surround sound without disturbing other family members in the room. The RX590G is expected to sell for about $2,500.
For those homes that can use the high quality entertainment features of the RX590G, but don’t want the TV tuner or Giga Pocket feature, there’s the RX580 which features the latest DVD-RW technology for watching movies or recording digital video content. The PCV-RX580 has an 80 GB hard drive and Intel’s Pentium 4 1.8 GHz processor and will sell for about $1,650 with a $100 mail-in rebate.
Sony’s Third Generation Pen Tablet PC: `Write’ On!
The VAIO desktop PC fall line-up also includes Sony’s third generation VAIO Slimtop Pen Tablet PC, which maintains the revolutionary pen-based user interface, but pumps up the features with a new DVD/CD-RW drive and a 60 GB hard drive.
The new Slimtop LX920 has an Intel® Pentium® III Processor, 256 MB of SDRAM and a V.90 modem.
In addition to a wheel mouse to navigate PC applications, this new model features a pressure-sensitive pen that allows users to draw, erase and navigate Windows®-based applications directly on the included 15-inch (15-inch viewable image size) XGA TFT Multimedia LCD with up to 1024×768 resolution. To maximize the fun, the VAIO LX920 Pen Tablet model also features Sony’s PictureToy™ software, an easy-to-use drawing, tracing and painting application. It’s expected to sell for about $2,500.
Mid-Range VAIO Desktop PCs Round-out the Line-up
For consumers who are in need of solid processing power, good looks and lots of storage, Sony’s newest upgrades in mid-range VAIO desktops are the answer. The new VAIO RX560 and the RX570 come equipped with an Intel® Pentium® 4 1.7GHz processor and Pentium® 4 1.8GHz processor, respectively. With 80gigabytes of hard drive space, a V.90 modem and 10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet port, consumers have the best tools for fast, powerful computing at home. The RX560 is available today and has an estimated selling price of about $1,200 after a $100 mail-in rebate. The RX570 ships in early October and is expected to sell for about $1,350 after a $100 mail-in rebate.
Connectivity for Every Room: Add A Value VAIO PC
You may have a powerhouse in your home office, but your kids might just need the basics, and for them, Sony offers two fully-equipped value PCs with an estimated selling price of $1,000 or less.
The VAIO RX540 and the RX550 are equipped with a 60GB hard drive, 256MB RAM and a V.90 modem. Both systems have two drives, a DVD-ROM and a CD-RW, and offer the ability to watch DVD movies, and download, share and listen to music. The iLINK (IEEE 1390) ports allow consumers to store and manage digital video content and watch home movies on the PC.
The RX540, equipped with an Intel Celeron 1.2GHz processor, will ship in October with an estimated selling price of about $800 after a $50 mail-in rebate. The RX550, which has an Intel Pentium 4 1.5 GHz processor, is available today for about $1,000 after a $100 mail-in rebate.
Hot Sony Software, Windows XP to Maximize Entertainment
All desktop systems announced today will use Microsoft® Windows® XP Home, 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet, and Sony’s original MovieShaker™, DVgate™, Media Bar™, SonicStage™ for VAIO, PictureGear™, Smart Capture, and VisualFlow™ software.
Key Specifications, VAIO Digital Studio Series, Fall Line-up:
PCV-RX540
PCV-RX550
PCV-RX560
PCV-RX570
Processor
Intel® Celeron 1.2 GHz?
Intel® Pentium® 4 1.5 GHz?
Intel® Pentium® 4 1.7 GHz?
Intel® Pentium® 4 1.8 GHz?
Cache Memory
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Sony Original Software
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
Other Software Applications
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Apple QuickTime™
Corel WordPerfect®
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Adobe Photoshop® Elements
Apple QuickTime™
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Corel WordPerfect®
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Adobe Photoshop® Elements
Apple QuickTime™
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Corel WordPerfect®
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Adobe Photoshop® Elements
Apple QuickTime™
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Corel WordPerfect®
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Standard RAM
256MB PC 133 SDRAM expandable to 512MB
256MB PC 133 SDRAM expandable to 512MB
256MB PC 133 SDRAM expandable to 512MB
512MB PC 133 SDRAM expandable to 512MB
Hard Drive
60 GB
60 GB
80 GB
80 GB
Drives
16X(max.) DVD-ROM
16X10X40X (max) CD-RW
16X(max) DVD-ROM
16X10X40X (max) CD-RW
16X(max) DVD-ROM
16X10X40X (max)CD-RW
16X(max) DVD-ROM
16X10X40X (max)CD-RW
Floppy Disk Drive
1.44MB
1.44MB
1.44MB
1.44MB
Video & Graphics
Intel 815E Internal Graphic
4X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration (nVIDIA TNT2 M64)
4X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration (nVIDIA TNT2 M64)
4X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration (nVIDIA TNT2 M64)
Modem
V.90
V.90
V.90
V.90
Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
Dimensions (CPU)
8.0″ (W) x 14.2″(H) x 14.6″(D)
8.0″ (W) x 14.2″(H) x 14.6″(D)
8.0″ (W) x 14.2″(H) x 14.6″(D)
8.0″ (W) x 14.2″(H) x 14.6″(D)
Availability
October
September
September
October
Rebates
$50
$100
$100
$100
ESP
$849.99
$1,099.99
$1,299.99
$1,449.99
Key Specifications, VAIO Digital Studio Series, Fall Line-up cont:
PCV-RX580
PCV-RX590
Processor
Intel® Pentium® 4 1.8 GHz?
Intel® Pentium® 4 2.0 GHz?
Cache Memory
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Sony Original Software
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
Other Software Applications
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Adobe Photoshop® Elements
Adobe Premiere® LE
Apple QuickTime™
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Corel WordPerfect®
EasySystems Record Now DX
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Sonic Solutions DVDit! For VAIO
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Adobe Photoshop® Elements
Adobe Premiere® LE
Apple QuickTime™
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Corel WordPerfect®
EasySystems Record Now DX
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Sonic Solutions DVDit! For VAIO
Standard RAM
512MB PC133 SDRAM
512MB PC800 RDRAM
Hard Drive
80 GB
100 GB
Drives
DVD-RW3
1X(max.) DVD-RW write
2X(max.) DVD-R write
40X(max.) CD-ROM
DVD-RW3
1X(max.) DVD-RW write
2X(max.) DVD-R write
40X(max.) CD-ROM
Floppy Disk Drive
1.44MB
1.44MB
Video & Graphics
4X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration (nVIDIA TNT2 M64)
4X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration (nVIDIA GeForce2 MX)
Modem
V.90
V.90/ HomePNA Combo
Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
Dimensions (CPU)
8.0″ (W) x 14.2″(H) x 14.6″(D)
8.0″ (W) x 14.2″(H) x 14.6″(D)
Availability
October
October
Rebates
$100
–
ESP
$1,749.99
$2,499.99
Key Specifications, VAIO Slimtop PenTablet Series, Fall Line-up:
PCV-LX920
Processor
Intel® Pentium® III 1B GHz?
Cache Memory
256 KB Integrated On-Die Level 2
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows™ XP Home
Sony Original Software
SonicStage for VAIO
DVgate™
Media Bar™
MovieShaker™
PictureGear™
Picture Toy
Smart Capture
VisualFlow™
Other Software Applications
Adobe Acrobat® Reader
Adobe GoLive™
Adobe LiveMotion™
Adobe Photoshop® Elements
Adobe Premiere® LE
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro
Apple QuickTime™
Corel WordPerfect®
Quicken® 2002
Microsoft® Outlook® Express
Standard RAM
256 MB PC-133 SDRAM, expandable to 512 MB
Hard Drive
60 GB
Drives
8X(max.) DVD-ROM and 8X4X32X(max.) CD-RW Combo Drive
Floppy Disk Drive
Optional
Modem
V.90
Ethernet
10-BaseT/100-BaseTX Fast Ethernet
Dimensions (CPU)
11.0″ (W) x 4.2″ (H) x 14.6″ (D)
Availability
October
ESP
$2,499.99
?GHz denotes microprocessor internal clock speed. Other factors affect application performance.
3May not be compatible with all DVD players.
Editor’s Note: Sony Electronics’ Information Technologies Product Division (ITPD) is based in San Diego. ITPD markets branded VAIO® notebook and desktop computer products; CLIE™ handheld devices and home digital photo printers. For additional information about Sony products, customers can call (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony’s web site at: www.sony.com/vaio. Press releases and digital images are available at Sony Electronics’ news and information web site at: www.sony.com/news.
