VAIO

VAIO, originally an acronym for Video Audio Integrated Operation, but since 2008 amended to Visual Audio Intelligence Organizer to celebrate the brand's 10th year anniversary, is a sub-brand for many of Sony's computer products. The branding was created by Timothy Hanley to distinguish items that encompassed the use of consumer audio and video, as well as being conventional computing products. One example of this was the Sony VAIO W Series personal computer, which functioned as a regular computer and a miniature entertainment center. Although Sony made computers in the 1980s for the Japanese market only, Sony withdrew from the computer business around the turn of the decade. Sony's re-entry to the computer market, this time globally, under the new VAIO brand, started in 1996 with the PCV series of desktops. The VAIO logo also represents the integration of analog and digital technology. The 'VA' represents an analog wave and the 'IO' represents digital binary code.

Products

s, and a hard-disk-based audio player that comes in both 20GB and 40GB variations (called VAIO POCKET player). Network media solutions by Sony will also carry the VAIO brand.

VAIO notebooks are usually shipped with Microsoft Windows Vista Business (Business line) or Windows Vista Home Premium. The highest end of the AR series spec are the exception, coming with Windows Vista Ultimate.

In mid-2005, all models stopped shipping with a Recovery CD, which was replaced by a hidden partition on the hard drive, accessible at boot via the BIOS or also within Windows via a utility. The partition allows the user to either reimage his hard drive to factory state, or to create recovery media. VAIO users are prompted to create a set of recovery CDs or DVDs immediately after purchase, along with a prompt to register at My Club Vaio, a internet forum for VAIO users which also provides automatic driver updates and technical support via email, along with exclusive desktop wallpapers and promotional offers.

On recent models, you are also prompted to register your trial versions of Microsoft Office and Norton Anti-Virus upon initial boot. However, Norton is being replaced with McAfee Antivirus on the newest models.

VAIO computers come with components from companies such as Intel processors, Seagate Technology, Fujitsu or Toshiba hard drives, Infineon RAM, Atheros and Intel wireless chipsets, Sony (usually made by Hitachi) or Matsushita optical drives, Intel or NVIDIA graphics processors and Sony speakers.

Technology

The VAIO brand holds many unique technologies to its name. Some of these are:Some Sony VAIO models come with Sony's proprietary XBRITE (also named as ClearBright in Japan and Asia-Pacific region) displays. The first model that introduce this feature is the VAIO TR series. It is also the first consumer product to utilize such technology. It is a combination of smooth screen, anti-reflection (AR) coating and high-efficiency lens sheet. Sony claims that the smooth finish provides a sharper screen display, the AR coating prevents external light from scattering when it hits the screen, and the high-efficiency lens sheet provides 1.5 times the brightness improvement over traditional LCD designs, while also extending battery life due to less usage of the LCD backlight. The technology was pioneered by Sony engineer Masaaki Nakagawa, who is in charge of the VAIO TR development. More information can be found here: [http://vaio-online.sony.com/prod_info/pcg-tr5gp/interview/index_04.html] .

The TX series introduced in September 2005 was the first notebook to implement an LED back-lit screen, which provides lower power consumption and greater color reproduction. This technology has been widely adopted by many other notebook manufacturers now. It was also the first to use a 16:9 aspect ratio screen with 1366x768 resolution.

The SZ series was the first to use switchable graphics, integrated Intel and discrete Nvidia graphics. The former could be used for less power consumption and greater battery life whereas the latter would be used when greater graphics processing power was needed. A switch is used to toggle between the graphics but required a cold-boot. The Z series has recently replaced the SZ series but does not require a restart of the system to change graphic modes, it can be done on the fly. This feature has subsequently been used by other manufacturers, including Asus and Alienware.

The high-end AR Series VAIOs were the first to incorporate a Blu-ray Disc burner. This series was designed to be the epitome of high-definition products including a 1080p capable WUXGA (1920 × 1200 pixels) screen, HDMI output and the aforementioned Blu-ray burner. The AR series also include an illuminated logo below the screen. Blu-Ray/HDMI capable models have been the subject of intense promotion since mid-2007, selling with a variety of bundled Blu-Ray discs.

Another recent addition to the VAIO series is the TZ model. This new design features a 64GB Solid State Drive (SSD) for rapid boot-ups, quicker application launches and greater durability. If selected, a 250GB Hard Drive may also be included in place of the built-in CD/DVD drive to provide room for additional storage. For security this model includes biometric fingerprint sensor and Trusted Platform Module. The TZ offers a Built-in highly miniaturized MOTION EYE camera built into the LCD panel for video conferencing. Additional features include the XBRITE LCD, integrated Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology and Bluetooth technology.

A selection of media centres were added to the VAIO range in 2006. These monitorless units (identified by a product code prefixed by VGX rather than VGN) are designed to be part of a home entertainment system, which typically take input from a TV tuner card, and output video via HDMI or composite video connection to an ideally high-definition television. This range so far includes the XL and TP lines. The VGX-TP line is rather visually unique, featuring a circular, 'biscuit-tin' style design with most features obscured behind panels, rather than the traditional set-top box design.

The VAIO line also features a series of desktop computers, which incorporate motherboard and widescreen LCD monitor into a single unit (in a manner similar to the more recent models of Apple's iMac series). These are identified by VGC in the product code.

Bundled software

Sony has been criticized for loading its VAIO laptops with bloatware, or software that supposedly allows the user to immediately use the laptop for multimedia purposes. Sony forces users to install software such as AOL, Norton, SonicStage, Napster and Roxio, among countless "free trials" and intrusive advertisements. Dell had been accused of the same practice, but after strong customer feedback agreed to offer "limited" pre-installed software on its machines. [ [http://consumer.hardocp.com/news.html?news=MTg0OTQsLCxoY29uc3VtZXIsLCwx Dell XPS Sans Bloatware] ] .

Current models

Consumer Laptops

* AW Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VN+AW+Series VAIO-link: AW series] ] - Flagship 18.4" High-end multimedia machine, with 1080P resolution screen and SSD options. Replaces AR series.

* FW Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VN+FW+Series VAIO-link: FW series] ] - The world's first 16.4" notebook, features Blu-ray Disc burner.

* FZ Series - A 15.4" notebook, features Blu-ray Disc burner in high end model. Marketed as the ultimate HD entertainment notebook with HD LCD screen in all the models.

* CR Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VN+CR+Series VAIO-link: CR series] ] - New 14" successor of the C series. Marketed as a 'lifestyle' laptop ("Whether you're studying at the coffee shop or out on the town with friends, the VAIO CR has the head-turning looks to get you noticed"), available in red, blue, pink or white. Sony were one of the first manufacturers to offer notebook computers in multiple colours - a feature later offered by, most notably, Dell, who produced a series of TV advertisements in mid-2008 stressing this featureFact|date=September 2008.

* NR Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VN+NR+Series VAIO-link: NR series] ] - 15.4" Entry level Vista laptop for home users

Professional Laptops

* TZ Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_prof&category=VN+TZ+Series VAIO-link: TZ series] ] - Ultra portable 11.1" professional notebook (1.2kg)
* TT Series [ [http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644576899&parentCategoryId=16154] ] -Ultra portable 11.1" professional notebookIt is a new update to the Sony TZ series. It is the smallest laptop to accommodate a Blu-ray disc drive at 11 inches. It features the new Intel Centrino 2 chip. It will be officially shipped in November.
* Z Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_prof&category=VN+Z+Series VAIO-link: Z series] ] - 13,1" Ultra portable, featuring a WXGA++ display with a 1600 x 900 resolution and integrated WWAN. (Replaces the high-end models of the SZ Series.)
* SR Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_prof&category=VN+SR+Series VAIO-link: SR series] ] - 13,3" Ultra portable, aimed at young professionals for home and business use. (Replaces the low-end models of the SZ Series.)
* BZ Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_prof&category=VN+BZ+Series VAIO-link: BZ series] ] - Robust business notebooks with Trusted Platform Module and biometric fingerprint security technology. (Replaces the BX Series.)

Heat problems

:On September 4th, 2008, Sony announced a worldwide voluntary product inspection and rework program for TZ-series notebook computers manufactured since June 2007. All model numbers beginning with VGN-TZ1 and VGN-TZ2 were eligible, along with some VGN-TZ3 notebooks. The issue involves "a limited number of units" which could potentially "generate heat around the DC jack inlet and frame of LCD screen, which creates the potential of deformation of the plastic casing" [ [http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/hotnews/details.asp?nid=30&site=voe_en_GB_cons VAIO of Europe voluntary inspection and rework program] ] . In the United States, the service offered is generally on-site, whilst in the rest of the world the service typically involves collection of the notebook by a courier, often DHL, for servicing in a Sony repair centre. Media reports concerning the number of units affected and the number of people reporting minor injuries have been very variable.Fact|date=October 2008

Desktops/Digital Home

* L Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VD+L+Series VAIO-link: L series] ] - 19" (LM Series) and 22" (LT Series) All-in-one

* TP Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VD+TP+Series VAIO-link: TP series] ] - Mini PC

* RM Series [ [http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProductCategory.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=VD+RM+Series VAIO-link: RM series] ] - HD Workstation

Nearly all Sony VAIO computers have hardware virtualization technology (VT) disabled,cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=KB C381809 | date= | publisher=Sony VAIO | url =http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=381809 | work = | pages =1 | accessdate = 2008-04-23 | language = ] the exception being the new BZ range, which uses an Aptio BIOS by American Megatrends, rather than the customized Phoenix BIOS common on older models. The feature can be re-enabled by booting from a DOS disk and manually modifying the BIOS, but it is a relatively advanced and technical task.

The Q2 2008 models (SR, FW, BZ, and Z-series) have all incorporated a cylindrical spine, with no ports on the back of the computer. Generally, the AC adapter port is located on one end of the cylindrical spine, and the power button on the other.

ee also

* Sony NEWS
* Sony CISC
*Sony Vaio FJ
*SZ2
*Sony Vaio UX Micro PC

References

External links

* [http://www.vaio.eu/ Sony VAIO Europe]
* [http://www.vaio-link.com Support, specifications, drivers and updates for Sony VAIO Europe]
* [http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16154 Sony VAIO United States]
* [http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Style-a/index.html Sony VAIO Japan]
* [http://www.sony.co.in/vaio Sony VAIO India]