Comments on: Sony joins Netbook game with the Vaio W

After the "not a Netbook" P-series, Sony finally joins the Netbook masses with the new Vaio W.

[dredgerie]

If they'd only up that to 2GB Ram, I might justify (to myself) making the purchase...

[Dan_Ackerman]

The 1GB limit is currently a Microsoft-enforced lockout for XP, I believe.

[justdaven]

Actually, it's not. You can buy a 2 gig upgrade kit for any Netbook.

[josh81]

Yes, its a MICROSOFT-enforced deal for the XP license. However, anyone can add a 2GB stick to just about any netbook (to my knowledge) - works great in my HP Mini.

[streamline35]

justdaven is correct - I have 2gb of memory in my msi wind, and I know two people who have put 2gb in their asus eee pcs.

For the wind, there is 1gb sodered to the mobo, and an empty memory slot to put a 1gb stick. For the eee pc, there is a 1gb stick in the slot, so you have to take it out and add a 2gb.

[cnet-og]

justdaven,
=====Actually, it's not. You can buy a 2 gig upgrade kit for any Netbook=====

As I understand it, retailers cannot sell the XP netbook with more than 1GB of RAM... the upgrade kit mentioned is 3rd party. The 1GB limit is part of the ULCPC agreement, I think.

[gbelk08]

@justdaven

You can always upgrade the ram yourself. But I think Dan means that Microsoft is controlling the specs of the machine that XP can be sold on in stores (so as not to compete with the vista market). This is why the Vaio P had to run Vista and completely killed the baby CPU.

[Firehazel]

You guys are hit or miss. Dan is right for if netbooks were sold w/2GB or RAM, then then would be priced as so they are not technically "Netbooks".

[kuoh]

Sounds too pricey for a netbook. Also, there was no mention on battery life. Will it be a 3 or 6 cell? Looks like a 3 cell by the picture, but would be nice to confirm.

[StevieD377]

The Sony website says UP TO 2 hours of power.

...incredible.

[hawk9858]

justdaven

Wrong on two counts; Dan is correct, 1GB limit is mandated by Microsoft but that doesn't mean you can't upgrade the memory on your own BUT this is where you are wrong again, this particular netbook max's out at 1GB.

Must be tough going through life wrong most of the time..........

[dredgerie]

MS can mandate all they want, there are plenty of netbook models out that already have 2GB built in at purchase, and they don't seem to be even complaining about it, let alone trying to stop it.

[Absolution2009]

Where does it say that it max out at 1GB? The specs aren't even out yet to let anyone know if there's an extra slot or not, and even if there is or not, is the motherboard they are using compatible with a 2gb stick?

Who knows what motherboard they are using?

[streamline35]

wow hawk, you're being kind of an ass for no reason. Justdaven was not wrong - you can add a second gigabyte of ram to just about any netbook. I've never heard of microsoft "mandating" 1gb, since here are the 13 netbooks off of newegg with 2gb memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2034940772+1722845171&QksAutoSuggestion=&Configurator=&Subcategory=772&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

I googled (I can't believe spell checker doesn't think "googled" is a word yet =) ) around a bit and didn't find anything about a 1gb limit for the w series. Perhaps you could point us to where you obtained this information?

[rigden33]

streamline-
as mentioned MICROSOFT mandates the 1gb memory for XP and all those netbooks you listed are VISTA thereby proving his point.
I dont know where hawk got the idea that the W series is already maxed out

[Carrick1973]

Nice to have an HD screen, but without the power to watch HD movies, I don't know much reason to have the DLNA connectivity. That's a great screen for web pages, but I'm just waiting for a real nice netbook that doesn't feel cheap that can play 720p without hiccups.

[Toulinwoek]

Even with the few extra pixels and the "n" wireless, it's still too much for a netbook. Part of the whole idea of netbooks in their very attractive price. $500 is darned near in the ful-sized laptop range. With a larger screen (11 or 12 inches), maybe it'd be worth it. Just another instance of Sony trying to gouge the public.
I would STRONGLY advise anyone to seriously protest this by not buying it. If "n" wireless is important to you, get a better priced netbook and spend an extra few bucks on an adapter, not this. Same holds for the memory stick slot (if you even use memory sticks).
I've grown tired of Sony and their pricey-for-nothing business model. I believe they need to be boycotted until they either return to their senses or simply go out of business.

[streamline35]

I agree. You can get those same specs/build quality for $400, minus the higher resolution screen, which I just don't consider to be worth $100.

[docster87]

A long time ago (like 1997) I bought a Vaio desktop. One of the worst computers (hardware & added software) I've had, and it was overpriced. Have never thought about a Sony computer since and have suggested to others to stay away from Sony computers. I see that not much has changed in past decade, Sony's are still overpriced for a computer that runs Windows - BUT there are plenty enough people out there that love the Sony name and will overspend for that name.

[Firehazel]

True. I might as well invest in a low-end laptop :P

[oakland6980]

@streamline35 the sony website does say max memory 1gb http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665928715

FYI

[jlt0x]

I've seen this "1GB max" note for WinXP operating systems before, but didn't think it was an actual limitation for the hardware. If the Netbook as an extra slot for another Gig of RAM, then use it.

I would think that you can add in as much RAM as desired (1GB, 2GB, or 4GB modules), especially if you plan to upgrade Win-XP/Vista to newer versions of Windows operating systems.

[BrujoSalazar]

Has the laptop de-evolved, and now re-evolved?

[BrujoSalazar]

hey look its the umpc!?



"flame on"Jonathan "Johnny" Lowell Spencer Storm

[Gloster27]

ABSOLUTELY unjustified price. Just like anything else Sony makes. i have a 13" Vaio, and it's one of the WORST choices i've ever made as a consumer.

[maxhoose]

Looks like Sony haven't done their homework producing a netbook with a 2 hour battery life!!

[sav1981]

Sony always like to price their products high *cough, cough* PSP Go. If they include blu-ray then I'll say the price is justified. That would set it apart from any netbook out there. Heck they all have roughly the same specs. If it wasn't for Sony's brand recognition this will not sale well. They are catering to the aged old perception that things that cost more will have higher quality.

[Toulinwoek]

Yeah, but Blu-Ray is dying in the face of high-definition streaming. Although it's alive and well NOW, I wouldn't pay such a premium for a netbook (a NETBOOK,for crying out loud) just because it has technology that, while it may be hot now, will likely cool dramatically over the next year or three.
I agree, Sony does like to play into that perception that cost always, necessarily equates to quality. With Sony that might have actually been true at one time, but that has eroded over the past several years. I don't buy ANYTHING Sony anymore.

[jacksons98]

@Toulinwoek
You sound like a Sony hater. Your post is wrong in several areas. First you can't stream 1080p currently, and Blu-ray is growing not dying. What you said in your post is pretty much a flat out lie.
I do agree that netbook technology will seem dated in the next few years though. I disagree what you said about Sony and quality. I've bought a few Sony items in my life and most have proven to last quite awhile.

[sav1981]

I do like Sony and I think they are one the best in the industry. I was just being sarcastic about the blu ray thing but it would be nice if they add just more to make it stand out from any other netbooks. Putting myself in the shoes of a regular Joe who doesn't understand specs and technology, brand recognition is what's going to help me make a purchase. If all I see is brand name then a Sony product whose next to Asus, Hp, or Dell will get my attention more than a brand that I'm not too familiar with. It's just a matter of time before netbooks starts to sell at $500 Sony is just the first to do it.

[cdxskier6]

Sony needs to realize that they aren't Apple; their products aren't good enough to require a premium over peers.

[nickbarron]

I think there are reasons to now doubt the potential of the netbook market. [CNET editors' note: URL removed.]

[billymitch76]

why do the net book vendors not focus on net enabled devices and stop worrying about HDD size, etc.. Shouldn't they focus on high quality screens, high memory and WWAN plus wi-fi? Who needs a HDD anymore? Aren't net book users savings pictures, docs, etc. on the web? Shouldn't the devices be ultra mobile not just ultra portable for $250?

[oxtail01]

Another late move by Sony - they've lost all credibility as an innovator. $500 for a toy that barely differs from $300 netbooks from other vendors? Have you noticed tons of netbooks on sale in craigslist? People who got suckered into buying these tiny toys are getting rid of them as quickly as they can. Sony should concentrate in getting their PSP right. bBild one with REAL internet browsing, built in GPS, long battery life, and a decent size screen and they'll kill the netbooks.

[blusky08]

Netbooks still remain a mystery. IMO, may as well use an iPhone for surfing and basic tasks once you delve under 12" as power issues, squinting and adjustment are inevitable for most users.

[kb8tpw]

How can Acer score such a winner with their recent Aspire 11.6 netbook 8 hour battery at less than $400 and Sony come up with something as feeble as this. Watch Acer - - lookout Sony.........

[Tomofumi]

apart from the SONY logo, i don't see much difference from other cheap netbooks. And the higher res LCD does not make sense for an Atom 280 CPU without any HW video acceleration at all. (In my eeepc netbook, 720p h264 barely watchable under Atom 280 by disable many decode options like B-frames...)