SONY DELIVERS FIRST VAIO PC MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR BUSINESS
VAIO Professional B-Series Notebooks Offer Mobility, Style and Support to Small and Medium Businesses
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2004 _ Mobile workers rejoice. Sony has introduced the VAIO ® B-Series notebook PC that is not only easy to work and travel with but easy to purchase, support and deploy.
Based on Sony's award-winning Z1 design concept, the new B-Series line provides feature-packed mobility in a stylish chassis that weighs just about 5 pounds. Integrated wireless technology and an onboard optical drive make this notebook the perfect portable co-worker whether you work in an office, at home or on the road.
The B-series incorporates all of the key features most commonly requested by business users in addition to offering the core functionality that distinguishes VAIO notebook PCs. The PC's generous 14-inch display and full-sized keyboard match market demands for work PCs that are highly mobile without sacrificing comfort. And Sony's Smart Display Sensor takes the technical worry out of presentations by automatically adjusting the notebook's display resolution to any compatible projector or external display.
"These notebooks were built from the ground up with business professionals in mind," said Mike Abary, general manager of VAIO product marketing for Sony Electronics. "They provide not just the technology companies need to get their work done but purchasing and maintenance and repair options that keep them doing business."
Marketed under the VAIO Professional banner, the B-Series notebooks will conform to the attributes outlined by the business-to-business initiative. This means that these notebooks will all come standard with the Microsoft Windows ® XP Professional operating system and will be highly configurable both in terms of hardware and software. Image load variations will range from a basic core operating system to a full complement of Sony-exclusive multimedia and third-party applications.
Long Life, Low Cost of Ownership
The B-Series will be distinguished by a lifecycle beyond the typical retail shelf life of 16 weeks, ensuring businesses a stable platform that can be deployed over time. These notebooks will be supported by Sony's business-tailored warranty and service offerings, including optional three-year warranties, priority on-site service and accidental damage protection.
Although built for professional use, B-Series notebooks will retain the characteristics particular to all VAIO PCs with a host of connectivity options including USB 2.0 ports, a Memory Stick PRO ™ media slot, and an i.LINK ® (IEEE 1394) digital interface for speedy, no-hassle transfer of digital content among a universe of compatible products; and out-of-the-box compatibility with Sony displays, digital still cameras, projectors and other productivity-enhancing devices.
Configure-to-order and build-to-order VAIO B-Series notebooks will be available later this month exclusively through business-to-business channels including value-added resellers, direct market resellers and Sony's direct SMB portal at www.sonystyle.com. Prices start at about $1,150.
Editor's Note: Sony Electronics' Information Technology Products Division (ITPD) markets VAIO ® notebook and desktop computers, as well as branded storage products. For additional information about Sony computer products, consumers can call (888) 315-SONY, or visit Sony's web site at: www.sony.com/vaio. For complete specifications and digital images, members of the news media are invited to visit Sony Electronics' news and information web site at www.sony.com/news.
