Sony VAIO SZ lightweight notebook launched

Sony launched its new VAIO SZ series notebooks, using the latest dual-core Centrino Duo mobile technology from Intel. To keep you safe on the road and at home, the SZ series has a biometric fingerprint sensor to protect your valuable data from hacks and snoops, and G-Sensor Shock Protection, which can lock your hard drive when it senses a change in g-force or risky movement, like being dropped.

The SZ series notebooks also include a built-in microphone and camera to make long-distance communication with colleagues, family and friends convenient and fun. The 13.3-inch widescreen display makes the PC compact yet still provides a vibrant viewing experience, enhanced with Sony's own XBRITE LCD technology.

The SZ Premium series packs all the punch of the SZ model into a slimmer carbon fiber-clad casing. At a mere 0.9 inches slim, and under four pounds light, the Premium series is a welcome but barely noticeable addition to any bag. For additional mobility, select SZ Premium notebooks include integrated wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) technology, allowing you to surf the Internet and check e-mail virtually anywhere there's a cellular signal. Sony's exclusive SmartWi technology lets you seamlessly toggle between LAN, Bluetooth and WWAN service provided through Cingular's national EDGE data network.

Both models feature a Hybrid Graphics System that extends battery life by letting you toggle between an internal graphics chip to conserve power, or external graphics chip for superb performance. Plus, the SZ Premium model's razor-thin LCD panel with white LED LCD backlight can bring battery life up to around seven hours.

Recognizing notebook computing isn't strictly about business, the SZ series is also a mobile multimedia powerhouse. Sony's, exclusive Sound Reality technology enhances the listening experience and an advanced DVD+R double layer/DVD+RW drive creates DVDs and simplifies media storage. For easy transfer of video and other large multimedia files, the SZ series supports ExpressCard, an emerging standard in smaller, faster PC card solutions.

Sony VAIO SZ series notebooks will be widely available this spring with standard models starting at $1,999 and SZ Premium models starting at $2,299.