Sony launches four Centrino 2-based Vaio notebooks

At a press event last night, Sony launched four new Intel Centrino 2-based Vaio laptop PCs, including an entry-level model -- the Vaio SR -- and the Vaio Z, the first notebook PC from Sony to be configurable with a Blu-ray disc drive.

NEW YORK (BetaNews) -- Sony is now taking orders for the new Vaio Series Z, FW, BZ, and SR notebooks online and in Sony Style stores, said Nobuyasu Nozawa, senior product manager, in a meeting with BetaNews at the press launch. The new models support HDMI for HD "video in," he said. All of them use cylindrical battery technology, too. Shipment is expected the first week in August.

The Vaio Z model, a replacement for Sony's existing SZ Series, adds a larger, 13.1-inch display, along with configurability for both a Blu-ray high definition drive and a solid state drive (SSD). The Blu-ray option adds $800 to the base price of $1,800.

Sony's new Vaio FW multimedia PC series, outfitted with a 16.4-inch display and split-screen viewing, replaces the existing FZ series.

In a demo at the press venue -- an outdoor/indoor meeting space called The Penthouse offering views of the Hudson River below -- the senior product manager showed how you can display two full Web pages simultaneously on the FW's screen.

The new BZ Series -- the only business PC in the rollout -- replaces Sony's VX Series, a laptop also geared to delivering slides and other business presentations. Aside from a larger 15.4-inch display, the BZ adds a new moisture-resistant keyboard, designed to ward off spills. Housed in knock-resistant durable magnesium ally casing, the business notebook also includes G-Sensor Shock Protection technology.

The new entry-level Vaio SR Series, on the other hand, is brand new, not replacing any existing model. Features include slightly elevated keys, for easier typing; "Switch" technology, for creating customized "personalities" for home, work, and entertainment; special function keys that can be mapped to desktop software applications; built-in G-Sensor Shock Protection; and integrated 802.11n LAN technology. Pricing starts at $1,400.

Sony is also bundling four software titles with the SR: Vaio Media, for sharing media on home networks; Vaio Movie Story, for creating home movies; Click to Disc/Editor software, for video editing; and Vaio MusicBox.

Today -- maybe taking their cue from a similar recent announcement by Dell -- Sony and Microsoft will unveil a "My Graphic Splash" contest that will challenge consumers to come up with designs for a new Sony notebook line-up dubbed Graphic Splash.

Ten finalists in the contest will win Vaio notebooks emblazoned with their own art, in judging to be led by visual artist Maya Hayuk and TV star Lauren Conrad.