Sony Introduces Line of VAIO Notebooks Tailored to Fit Businesses Big or Small

Answering the needs of business managers and IT planners alike, Sony Electronics today unveiled the latest edition to its line of VAIO® Professional notebooks, combining a choice of display sizes, swappable accessories and multiple configuration options into a single platform.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050830/LATU065)

The new VAIO BX Series of notebooks features Sony's AdaptivePlus™ technology, incorporating flexibility, security and communications features for progressive, cost-effective IT resource management. The line's modular approach to accessories and peripherals offers IT managers a variety of options to best fit an organization's workforce from road warriors to desk jockeys.

Flexibility Meets Mobility

Although the BX Series is available with a variety of display sizes -- 14-inch, 15.4 and 17-inch wide screen sizes -- the same optional accessories such as a docking station with battery charger, standard and large capacity batteries and wireless presentation mouse can be used across the series so accessories can be shared and costs reduced.

All sizes also feature Sony's multi-function bay. Users can swap out powerful peripherals, such as a DVD+/-RW, +R double layer drive (not all DVD media/formats are universally compatible) or an 80GB (GB means one billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity) hard drive bay unit. Each of these optional accessories is cross-compatible with all three size configurations of the BX Series.

The BX Series is also distinguished by a longer lifecycle than the typical retail shelf life for consumer notebooks, ensuring businesses a stable platform. Further, the line is Cisco v.3-compliant, making it easy to deploy over existing corporate networks that utilize Cisco management applications.

"By providing a single platform and cross-compatible peripherals the latest edition to the VAIO Professional line provides an innovative approach and flexible option for companies," said Mike Abary, vice president of VAIO product marketing for Sony Electronics. "We believe that this new modular solution combined with leading-edge security features will substantially reduce IT manpower and the total cost of ownership for businesses."

Security is Top Priority

The BX Series notebook line incorporates a Trusted Platform Module (TCG Ver.1.1b compliant) to set the level of security on a specific client/user basis. Data can be encrypted over a local network or over the Internet so IT managers have the ability to dial in the specific level of access.

Additionally, the BX Series features an integrated biometric fingerprint sensor, which delivers personal security and eliminates the need to remember different corporate passwords. With the incorporation of a biometric fingerprint sensor, IT managers are freed from tedious password reset calls.

Communication Means Productivity

Select models of the BX Series also incorporate WWAN access to Cingular's nationwide EDGE network for connection to the Internet just about anywhere there is Cingular cellular coverage. Equipped with Sony's SmartWi™ technology, the BX Series allows users to easily toggle between various connectivity options including WWAN, WLAN for connections at home, office or hotspots (requires compatible access points); or Bluetooth® technology for communication with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals (may vary as not all Bluetooth devices are compatible) such as a PDA, cellular phone or wireless headset.

Outfitted with an optional built-in camera and pre-loaded with Sony's Instant Video Everywhere™ or IVE service powered by GlowPoint, the BX Series is ready for instant real-time video conferencing (service subscription and broadband required). Armed with these capabilities, workers can have virtual face-to-face meetings whether participants are in the office or off-site.

The model line also utilizes an advanced power-saving feature for mobile usage called VAIO Power Management Viewer™, for setting power modes to control the balance of stamina and performance required.

VAIO Cares

Exclusively for the business customer, Sony offers VAIO Care™ (www.sony.com/vaiocare) a new total lifecycle management program for all VAIO Professional notebooks. From planning and acquisition through disposal, VAIO Care supports a business's needs throughout the life of the product. Components of the VAIO Care include consultation services, extended service and accidental damage protection options and a trade-in program. VAIO Care also offers dedicated technical support for an organization's IT team.

The VAIO Professional BX Series notebook line will be available in mid-October, starting at about $1,300, through value-added resellers, direct market resellers and Sony's direct SMB portal. More information about the BX Series is available online at www.sony.com/vaiobx.

   Contact:  Jon Piazza
             Sony Electronics Inc.
             (858) 942-3825
             jon.piazza@am.sony.com

             Jory White
             Ruder-Finn/Switzer
             (415) 249-6775
             whitej@ruderfinnswitzer.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050830/LATU065
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Sony Electronics, Inc.

CONTACT: Jon Piazza of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-3825,
jon.piazza@am.sony.com; or Jory White of Ruder-Finn/Switzer, +1-415-249-6775,
whitej@ruderfinnswitzer.com, for Sony Electronics, Inc.

Web site: http://www.sony.com/vaiocare

Web site: http://www.sony.com/vaiobx