Notebook :: Sony VAIO notebooks

VAIO is a sub-brand for many of Sony's computer products. It was originally an acronym for Video Audio Integrated Operation, but since 2008 amended to Visual Audio Intelligence Organiser to celebrate the brand's 10th year anniversary. The branding was created by Timothy Hanley to distinguish items that encompassed the use of consumer audio and video, as well as being conventional computing products. One example of this was the Sony VAIO W Series personal computer, which functioned as a regular computer and a miniature entertainment center. Although Sony made computers in the 1980s for the Japanese market only, Sony withdrew from the computer business around the turn of the decade. Sony's re-entry to the computer market, this time globally, under the new VAIO brand, started in 1996 with the PCV series of desktops. The VAIO logo also represents the integration of analog and digital technology. The 'VA' represents an analog wave and the 'IO' represents digital binary code, thus some would call it VA10 or Va-ten.

Personal notebooks

All personal notebook models come with Windows 7 Home Premium installed. Unlike the business range, XP downgrade options are not available on all models.

• AW Series

18.4" high-end multimedia range, with 1080p resolution screen and SSD options. Replaced the AR series.


• F Series

16.4" consumer entertainment range. There are options for a Blu-ray disc reader or burner, and an option for a Full HD widescreen. The notebook is the second largest in Sony's current range, the first being the VAIO AW series.


• NW Series

A 15.5" entry level laptop for home users. Successor of the NS Series. Includes an HDMI port and a 16:9 display. The higher-end models include a Blu-ray Disc reader.


• CS Series

A 14.1" notebook marketed as a mid-range, more configurable computer compared to the lower end consumer models, such as the NW Series.


• Sony vaio cw

A 14" notebook that is customizable compared to the pre-built NW series. Successor to the CS series. Can be customized with up to a Core i5 540M, 8 GB of DDR3 SDRAM, a Blu-ray burner, nVidia graphics and 500 GB hard drive.


• X Series

An 11.6 " ultraportable that uses the Intel Atom Z550 and has 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 MHz. Not only is this the first computer launched in the United States that uses the 2 GHz Atom Z550, but it is also one of the most expensive computers to use an Intel Atom processor, competing with Sony's own VAIO P Series.


• P Series

An 8" ultraportable range that uses a Intel Atom CPU Z520-Z550 dependant on model, and has 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 MHz.


• W Series

A 10.1" sub-notebook, aimed at a young audience. Available in White, Brown and Pink using a Intel Atom Processor N280, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 160 GB HDD, Windows XP Home.

Business notebooks (VAIO Professional)

Business notebook models usually come with Windows 7 Business installed (some higher models feature Windows 7 Ultimate. All business models have an XP downgrade option and full driver support).

• TT Series

Ultra portable 11.1" professional notebook. Successor of the TZ Series. The smallest notebook computer to accommodate a Blu-ray Disc drive at 11 inches.


• Z Series

13.1" Ultra portable, featuring a WXGA++ display with a 1366 x 768 and an optional 1600 x 900 resolution and integrated WWAN. (Replaces the high-end models of the SZ Series.)


• SR Series

13.3" ultraportable, for home and business use. (Replaces the low-end models of the SZ Series.)


• BZ Series

Robust business notebooks with Trusted Platform Module and biometric fingerprint security technology. (Replaces the BX Series.)


• G Series

11.1" ultra portable notebook employing Trusted Platform Module technology and biometric fingerprint security features. Weighed only 1.1 kg and was made from CFRP and had an ultra thin LED backlit screen. This notebook brought many technologies that are now on mainstream notebooks to the consumer.

From the second quarter of 2008, all higher end models (AW, FW, Z, SR, TT and BZ) have incorporated a cylindrical spine, with no ports on the back of the computer. Generally, the AC adapter port is located on one end of the cylindrical spine, and the power button on the other.