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Sony's New Vaio PCG-TR1A: 12" Powerbook Killer?

Posted by timothy on from the paging-randy-waterhouse dept.

Anonymous Howard writes "Sony has a hot new subnote on it's hand: the Vaio PCG-TR1A. This subnote is packed full of features: integrated camera (still and video), 10.6 inch bright wide-format screen, 900MHz Centrino, CD-RW/DVD Combo drive, 30GB drive, 802.11b, two usb ports, firewire, 3.11 pounds and a magnesium alloy case. The thing looks really cool. For me, it's the first subnote that actually gives me a viable option for purchase instead of a the Apple Powerbook 12". Read a article about it over at Designtechnica. Check out this forum thread that has good pics, other then the stock pics, next to a VPR Matrix 200A5."

4 of 452 comments (clear)

  1. Dell has had one for some time too by Triumph+The+Insult+C · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/products/model_latit _latit_x200.htm. it's pretty nice, although i prefer the c400 myself. the x200 is just too small.

    --
    vodka, straight up, thank you!
  2. A Question by X-wes · · Score: 5, Informative

    Seems Slashdotted--Here are some pics from Sony.com

    Not so much a comment as a question...

    What has really set the Vaio apart from ye olde everyday laptop was the interesting addition of the integrated still/video camera. Are there any other manufacturers out who do this? Also...is it really usable as an integrated camera?

  3. Re:Sony Notebook?? by rindeee · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well...yes. I just did so last Friday. I have an old PCG-C1VN (the original Picturebook) with the Transmeta 600MHz. It came with ME preinstalled (worthless). I have run several different Linux distros on it. On Friday I reformatted it and installed W2K as I just got a T-Mobile wireless Internet card (only works on Windows...out of the box) and wanted to use it on my smallest laptop. Went to Sony's sight and clicked on the link for Installing W2K on the PCG-C1VN. Had all the drivers, and all "special instructions" for such things as installing the drivers in the right order (dependancies in effect) and getting W2K to allow the odd (1024x480) resolution. Lots of drivers to download, but no real problems. Works great with my T-Mobile card. All that said, it isn't the most useful notebook PC in the world...I much prefer my Thinkpad with SuSE 8.2.

    ER

  4. Re:OSX On Sony? by horsie · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, Adobe allows cross-platform upgrades on selected software titles. If you have PS7 on the PC and decided to switch to the Mac, then just call up Adobe customer service.

    You will have to sign a "Letter of Destruction" promising that you will destroy your PC version of the software and fax a copy to Adobe before they ship you your CD.

    I did it, and only paid for shipping for Adobe Photoshop 7.0...

    So you CAN switch without costing yourself an arm and a leg. As for MS products, that's an entirely different story, but then again, you also have OpenOffice for OS X as an alternative.