2009 Jul 05 Inspect A Gadget: Vaio P Lifestyle PC
Choosing a portable computer can be a dilemma. Conventional notebooks with medium-sized screens are fine to work with, but carrying them around involves some planning. The practically palm-sized UMPCs (“ultra-mobile PCs”) are ultraportable, but reading on their tiny screens can be hard on the eyes after a while.
Gadgeteers wondered: Would any notebook ever be able to strike the perfect balance between portability and ease of use? In late May, Sony launched its VAIO P Lifestyle PC series – and the geeks trembled.
The P series features an 8-inch screen – small, but not enough to cause eyestrain. Available in five trendy colors (white, black, green, pomegranate red and champagne gold), the netbook looks more like a fashion accessory than a powerful computer. You can even slip this sexy 620g gadget in your pocket if you prefer to walk without a bag.
DESIGN
Compact, sleek, long and narrow, it resembles an abacus with rounded edges, and is slim enough to fit inside your jeans pocket.
DISPLAY
The 8-inch screen offers crispy-sharp 1600x768 resolution. Sony has also integrated a “magnify” tool, allowing you to increase the size of what you’re reading without changing the screen’s resolution setting.
FUNCTIONALITY
The P2 series rocks a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 2GB memory, 80G ATA hard drive or 128G solid-state drive, and a 640x480 webcam. It runs Windows Vista Basic.
CONNECTIVITY
It has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two USB ports and an Ethernet adaptor.
VGN-P27H
RMB 6,999
VGN-P29H (with 128G solid-state drive)
RMB 9,499
Order from Sony China’s website: www.sonystyle.com.cn (Chinese only).
All models are also available at the Sony Store. L330, 3/F, South Bldg, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6587 1350)
朝阳区光华路9号世贸商业中心南街3层L330号
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