Sony intros 11.6-inch Vaio Y with low-voltage Core i3

[Matthew DeCarlo]

First emerging in January as a 13.3-incher, Sony has shrunk its Vaio Y series to 11.6 inches, putting it in the same category as Apple's smallest MacBook Air and Lenovo's new IdeaPad U260. The new VPCYA19FJ is among only a few Windows-based Air alternatives, though it's not quite as compact, measuring 1.24 inches thick and weighing 3.2lbs.

Inside that heftier frame is a 1.33GHz Intel Core i3-380UM processor, which has been reduced from the 13.3-inch model's Core i5-430UM -- presumably to keep cost and battery life in check. Sony says you can expect a maximum runtime of about six hours or up to 11.5 with an extended battery. Like the IdeaPad U260, Sony's new entry uses Intel's integrated graphics.

The 11.6-inch Vaio Y carries an 1366x768 display resolution, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, a webcam, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth, four USB ports, HDMI-out, and a card reader. Sony hasn't detailed pricing or availability yet, but Akihabra reports that the system should land at around 110,000 yen or 980 euros -- roughly $1,350.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/41080-sony-intros-116-inch-vaio-y-with-low-voltage-core-i3.html

 

[Nima304]

Oh yeah, another MacBook Air competitor. Go Sony!

 

[Xclusiveitalian]

$1, 350 for that? It seems like these companies are completely copying Apple, charging huge fees for portability. For a few more pounds in weight you can have a laptop that wont struggle opening MS word at half the cost... Plus shouldn't these companies be trying to under price Apple to incise people to buy, but now because of Apple things costing a lot mean there automatically better, thanks apple.

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

Sony has charged a premium for as long as I can remember, and the price isn't official.

 

[klepto12]

I hate apple and there inflated prices and it seems all other companies are following suit i hate it but times are just going to get worse from here on.

 

[Guest]

I can purchase a similar product from a different manufacturer at half the price. The price on this is going to drop fast.

 

[uttaradhaka]

1350 bucks and no discrete graphics chip. What is Sony up to?

This laptop would have flown off the shelves if it was more in the range of 800 bucks.

Overpriced and underpacked. Well done Sony, go ahead and follow Apple.

 

[agissi]

Well the Core i3 has graphics built into the CPU die, so no graphics chip needed on the northbridge / motherboard frontier. But this is pricey indeed, $1,000 would have been high to start with. Sony do make great laptops that last and last however.

 

[ET3D]

Heavier than the MacBook Air, crappy Intel integrated graphics and a higher price.

 

[waterytowers]

Sony has always charged these prices, nothing has changed. Apple and Sony always charge a premium because they provide a specialist solution. Apple promises integrated everything and minimises the crap add-ons that come with the standard Windows systems, while Sony promises a better build quality and often have high end features. Look at the Sony Z series 13 inch, it has a FHD screen an i7 processor and quad SSD's and people pay for it. In Australia the 13 inch Z series costs $4,000.

 

[blimp01]

How much does that i3 use? im guessing like 0.5 Volts

 

[fritz123]

imo the price isnt really worth it. it cant compete. they lost me at integrated graphics. with those specs, it should have a much lower price. im not saying the macbook air isnt overpriced but whatever you save in energy costs, you end up paying for the crappy laptop specs. again... not worth it.