Vaio NS and CS - Cheaper Blu-ray Notebooks

Sony have introduced two notebooks with Blu-ray Disc technology - the Vaio NS and CS models.

"With these new units, Sony is now offering consumers a host of multi-media PC options to choose from," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "And with a starting price of around $1,000 for the NS model, we?re expecting a new audience to experience HD entertainment on their computers."


Sony's Vaio NS

The VAIO NS notebook features an optional Blu-ray Disc-ROM drive that is ideal for viewing HD content. It also has the added convenience of DVD and CD read/write functionalities.

The PC is equipped with a 15.4-inch (measured diagonally) widescreen display, and Sony?s own XBRITE-ECO LCD technology for sharp details and vivid colors.

The NS model easily accesses your music, movies and the Internet. Its integrated A/V mode features a dedicated menu, putting entertainment within easy reach by letting you select up to nine programs, such as a favorite web site, from one location.

Packing an Intel CoreTM 2 Duo processor, significant RAM and ample storage, the NS notebook is equipped with the tools required for everyday computing.

Available in three colors - nightfall blue, silk white and granite silver - the VAIO NS notebook will start at around $650 (£360 / €460), while the Blu-ray Disc model will go for about $1,000 (£560 / €700).

The VAIO CS notebook is available in four glossy colors - sangria, cosmopolitan, dove and black. A standard black matte finish is also available.


Sony's Vaio CS

The unit is equipped with a 14.1-inch widescreen display and XBRITE-ECO LCD technology for sharp images. Matched with an optional Blu-ray Disc-ROM drive, the CS model is ideal for watching HD entertainment on-the-go.

Its instant A/V mode lets you kick off your entertainment with ease. Go straight to watching a movie, playing music, or viewing photos with the touch of a button. A built-in A/V slide control also lets you control all functions (play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, stop, eject, etc.) all with one-touch ease.

The PC has a uniquely configured keyboard, designed with spacing between the keys, for a comfortable typing experience. A specialized keyboard font adds a fun touch. The unit also has a12-tone music analyzer that translates your music into a colorful LED light show that plays out beneath the palm rest of the PC.

It is backed by optional Intel Centrino 2 processor technology with plenty of power for high-speed performance and an energy-efficient design for remote computing.

The CS model will start at about $920 (£515 / €650), while the BD model will go for around $1,070 (£600 / €755).

Sony VAIO NS and CS notebooks website: sonystyle.com