New Sony Notebook Delivers Stunning Blu-ray Entertainment at Entry-Level Price

[Shane]

Sony today unveiled the VAIO(R) NW notebook -- a new line of PCs that provide a powerful high-definition experience while starting at just $800 for the standard model and $880 equipped with Blu-ray Disc(TM) technology.

Part of a series, the NW notebook features...

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2009/06/new_sony_notebook_delivers_stunning_bluray_entertainment_at_entrylevel_price.php]Read Bulletin[/url]

[submarine]

Great price. I have a 4 year old 17" Sony VGN-AR190G Blu-ray laptop. One item that may also effect this new unit.

If you're purchasing this laptop to send AV to a large video display, check that it has enough video processing power to handle the much larger screen size.

My AR190G is pushing the limit with a 60 inch Sony LDC via HDMI. I had to call Sony's tech support after I bought mine to be informed that 60" screens may be a tad too large for the video processor.

I'm not convinced it's the world's best BR processor for larger monitors (60" and up), although it is very acceptable. Screen size compatability needs to be up front in the literature.

After 4 years, my 190 is running great. It's at a "natural" 88% defragged - I've never defragged it and have run Norton Internet Security from day 1 with live updates every four hours and a full system scans daily.

[Richard]

I had to call Sony's tech support after I bought mine to be informed that 60" screens may be a tad too large for the video processor.

Did Sony really tell you that? It's just the screen size?

It has nothing to do with screen size and everything to do with the size of the pixel matrix. The laptop screen is 1440x900 and naturally the video card will be chosen solely on that need to meet price points. A 60" anything is more than likely 1920x1080. If you could buy a large 1280x720, 720p display the video card would actually have more processing power. Ultimately if the laptop was running a 1080p equivalent screen, for PC that is 1920x1200, there would not be a problem.... within reason... just because a PC supports that scan rate does not mean the video card has the horsepower to satisfy all users and the needs of their individual applications.

[submarine]

Nothing more technical than display size was volunteered. It's one of their models and they knew the specs. The rep may have been told to say that verses getting into pixel compatability.

The displays' pixel resolution and video cards' processor compatibility, plus other planned uses, should be thoroughly validated prior to making a purchase decision. I'm all Sony on TV, camcorders, and cameras. One tech support number and a great electronics reputation.

[rtywonia]

Seems like this is not that newsworthy since it does not let you record on BluRay. We need a lap top which will allow you to record 1080P movies and record them on a BluRay disc that you can just pop into a BluRay player.

Watching a BluRay disc on my lap top is just not that interesting to me.