New Sony Multimedia Notebook Brings Big Screen Entertainment to Portable Platform

Sony is taking entertainment lovers on the ultimate joyride. The new VAIO® AX Digital Studio™ PC is the pinnacle of mobile multimedia performance, combining the power of a desktop with the convenience of a notebook.

Featuring a stunning 17" WXGA+ widescreen (measured diagonally) display with Sony's original XBRITE™ LCD technology, the VAIO AX notebook delivers brilliant clarity and true-to-life color, for beautifully crisp playback of photos, home videos and DVDs. Users can also watch and record high-quality television with a removable TV tuner and Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005. You can even create a digital library for personal viewing at your convenience, using the DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+/-RW drive with Sony's Click to DVD™ software.

The VAIO AX notebook includes a unique multi-function bay, so you can add exactly the components you want to use. The simple swapping of powerful peripherals -- a TV-tuner Bay Unit, a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+/-RW Bay Unit, an optional CD-RW/DVD-ROM Bay Unit, an optional 80GB HDD Bay Unit, and an optional HDD Adapter Bay Unit -- allows you to switch from TV entertainment system to high-capacity storage device in a matter of seconds. The optional docking station with an additional multi-function bay provides even more options.

"Sony knows that entertainment and computing mean different things to different people," said Mike Abary, vice president of VAIO product marketing for Sony Electronics in the U.S. "The AX notebook provides users the swappable components to create their own dream machines and we provide the fixed hardware and design to back them up no matter what they choose to do."

Security and Creativity

The VAIO AX notebook also sports an integrated 0.3 mega-pixel camera so you can take advantage of available video chat applications. Keeping in touch has never been easier or more fun. No more memorizing multiple passwords thanks to the built-in fingerprint sensor. With the swipe of a single digit, you can store your secret passwords to the secure web sites you visit, so authentication and access are virtually painless.

The model also comes with a full suite of Sony multimedia applications, including SonicStage™ Mastering Studio software for managing music in a variety of formats and DVgate Plus™ software for capturing and editing both standard definition and high-definition (1080i) video. To make data sharing and transfer a breeze, the notebook also comes standard with a multitude of connector interfaces, including an i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) and two USB 2.0 ports as well as Memory Stick® and Secure Digital media slots.

Sony VAIO AX notebooks will be available next month starting at about $2,000. They can be purchased at national retailers, online at SonyStyle.com or at SonyStyle® stores (visit www.sonystyle.com/retail for locations) in select fashion malls around the country. Pre-orders begin online today at www.sony.com/ax.

   Contact:  Valerie Motis
             Sony Electronics Inc.
             (858) 942-8016
             valerie.motis@am.sony.com

             Alex Laurelli
             Ruder Finn
             (415) 249-6760
             laurellia@ruderfinn.com

SOURCE: Sony Electronics Inc.

CONTACT: Valerie Motis of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-8016,
valerie.motis@am.sony.com; or Alex Laurelli of Ruder Finn, +1-415-249-6760,
laurellia@ruderfinn.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/retail

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