The Sony VAIO P series are a range of ultraportable subnotebook computers[1][2] launched in January/February 2009.[3]
It was marketed as a "lifestyle PC",[2] although they share many characteristics with netbook computers.
Contents |
The Sony VAIO P series features an 8" LED-backlit display with native resolution of 1600x768, coupled with Intel GMA 500 graphics, an Intel Atom MID Z5x0 CPU with Intel US15 chipset with 2GB of DDR2 RAM. Notably, the P Series sports non-upgradeable [4] RAM that is soldered to the main board and some iterations of the P Series have just 1GB of RAM [5]. It uses as a pointing stick in the keyboard as its pointing device. Exact specs vary by location. An integrated webcam (optional in some regions of the world) is located on the upper right corner. It also features built-in GPS (some models), Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g/n wireless and 3G or HSDPA mobile broadband]]. It does not have an optical drive, like most ultraportables and netbooks.
At launch, the pre-installed operating system was one of the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista (model-dependent). In June 2009 Sony made driver support available for downgrading the range to Microsoft Windows XP, which has lower resource requirements than Windows Vista. Several people have succeeded in installing various versions of Linux on the VAIO P, most notably Ubuntu Linux (Version 9.04, Jaunty). Ubuntu is arguably the best alternative due to its ease of installation and configuration, and the fact that full 3D graphics can be utilized with this setup.[6] Since the release of Windows 7, the P series now ships with that OS installed. The P series has been criticised for poor performance in part due to the excessive pre-installed software, but also because of the poor performance of the included GMA graphics chipset.[7]
Compared with most other small Intel Atom-based computers, which are typically described as netbooks, the P Series is considerably more expensive. Compared with these other devices, which typically use the Atom N2x0 CPU, however, the P Series uses the Atom Z5x0 series, which has slightly lower power requirements, but also lower performance. In addition, the P Series is the lightest device in its class, weighing roughly the same as the Apple iPad 2 and less than all 10" netbooks, and the 7" Asus Eee PC. While its screen is small, in devices of 12.1" and below, the P series is bested only by the 12.1" Thinkpad X200s, which has 1440x900 resolution.
The VAIO P was launched in five colour options: Dove White, Emerald Green, Glossy Black, Gold, and Sangria Red.
Dependent on the model, storage was a 60GB or 80GB hard disk drive or 64GB or 128GB solid state drive.
Minor model updates included updating to Windows 7, and minor CPU/SSD improvements.
The P series was refreshed in May 2010 so that its case had more flowing, less square lines, a new accelerometer to enable switching from landscape to portrait mode, a tiny 16mmx16mm trackpad built into the LCD bezel, and a choice of five colours - 'electric orange, neon green, hot pink, icy white and classic black'.[8]
In addition, a change resolution button was added to instantly switch the screen to 1280x600 resolution, in order to make text more readable on the P series' small screen, as well as a digital compass, ambient light sensor, and higher-capacity battery (2500mAh).[9]
The 2010 revision currently represents the last iteration of the P Series and Sony have removed the product from many of its international websites.
(note color codes: /G - Emerald Green, /Q Glossy Black, /R Sangria Red, /W Dove White, /N gold, /P /PI pink, /D white, /B black)
Launch dates - P500 series - January/February 2009, P600 series - July 2009, P700 series - October 2009, P11 series - May 2010
| Model | Color | Processor | Memory | Storage Drive | Operating System | Release Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VGN-P530H | Green/Black/Red/White | Intel Atom Z520 @ 1.33 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 60 GB HDD | Windows Vista Home Basic 32-bit | $899.99 |
| VGN-P530N | Green/Black/Red/White | Intel Atom Z520 @ 1.33 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 60 GB HDD | Windows Vista Business 32-bit | $1099.99 |
| VGN-P588E | Green/Gold/Black/Red/White | Intel Atom Z520 @ 1.33 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 64 GB SSD | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit | $1,199.99 |
| VGN-P598E | Black/Red | Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.33 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 128 GB SSD | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit | $1,499.99 |
| VGN-P599E | Black | Intel Atom Z540 @ 1.86 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 256 GB SSD | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit | $1,899.99 |
| VGN-P688E | Black | Intel Atom Z520 @ 1.33 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 64 GB SSD | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit | $999.99 |
| VGN-P698E | Black | Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.6 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 128 GB SSD | Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit | 1,499.99 |
| VGN-P720K | Red | Intel Atom Z520 @ 1.33 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 80 GB HDD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $849.99 |
| VGN-P788K | Gold | Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.6 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 64 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $999.99 |
| VGN-P798K | Black | Intel Atom Z540 @ 1.86 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 128 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $1,499.99 |
| VGN-P799L | Black | Intel Atom Z550 @ 2 GHz | 2 GB DDR2 | 256 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $1,899.99 |
| VPC-P111KX | Black/Pink/Green/White | Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.6 GHz (no GPS) | 2 GB DDR2 | 64 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $799.99 |
| VPC-P113KX | Black/Pink/Green/White/Orange | Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.6 GHz (no GPS) | 2 GB DDR2 | 128 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $899.99 |
| VPC-P114KX | Black | Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.6 GHz (with GPS) | 2 GB DDR2 | 128 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $999.99 |
| VPC-P116KX | Pink | Intel Atom Z540 @ 1.87 GHz (with GPS) | 2 GB DDR2 | 128 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $1499.99 |
| VPC-P118KX | Black | Intel Atom Z550 @ 2 GHz (with GPS) | 2 GB DDR2 | 256 GB SSD | Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit | $1499.99 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||