If the word "netbook" describes a tiny computer with cheap components and a weak processor, than Sony's Vaio P and Vaio TT computers don't really qualify, however small they are.
Thus, the newly unveiled Vaio Mini W is Sony's first entrant into the real netbook family. It features many of the usual netbook trimmings -- 10.1-inch screen, 160 GB hard drive, Windows XP, Intel Atom N280 processor and 1 GB of RAM -- with a 1366 x 768 resolution LED display.
Sony hopes to distinguish itself with a "springy and responsive" keyboard, Energy Star compliance and Multimedia Streaming software for sending content to other DLNA-enabled devices. Battery life is listed as "TBD" in press materials, but the Vaio Mini W's UK Web site says 160 minutes, which will surely hurt the netbook in reviews.
The Vaio Mini W will be available in August for roughly $500, and pre-orders start now.
It's interesting that Sony has finally entered the netbook market. With the Vaio P costing roughly $1,000, and the Blu-ray equipped Vaio TT selling for $2,700, it seemed the company was intentionally bucking the trend. I guess you can only withstand the beatings for so long before joining the fray.
Still, at $500 the Mini W is on the high end of the price spectrum, and I'm not sure customers will spend $150 over, say, an HP Mini 110 for what is essentially the same device.
