The latest addition to Sony's Vaio line of portables more resembles a handheld than a laptop, featuring a touch-sensitive 5" display, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g - and Windows XP.
Weighing in excess of one pound, Sony today debuted its new VAIO VGN-U750P in the U.S., a palmtop computer previously only available in Japan. Despite not being able to compete with recent handheld devices in size and weight, the new palmtop weighs considerably less than the average laptop, yet boasts a fully fledged Intel-based environment running Windows XP Professional as opposed to the specialized platforms powering handhelds.
Boasting an 1.10 GHz Intel Pentium M processor and 512 MB RAM, the VGN-U750P easily outperforms handhelds, yet the power comes at a cost as the 1.21 lbs, 6.6" x 4.3" x 1.04" device is twice the size of an average handheld. Still, the VGN-U750P holds a broad array of features such as a touch-sensitive, 5" colour display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels and 16-bit colour depth.
Furthermore, the VGN-U750P offers an integrated 20 GB HDD, as well as an Intel 855GM graphics card with 64 MB of shared video RAM, which can also output to an external VGA display courtesy of an add-on port replicator. The aforementioned replicator also offers up to 100 Mbps Ethernet connectivity, as well as one FireWire port and four USB 2.0 ports to bolster the one USB 2.0 port integrated into the unit itself.
 | | Sony VAIO VGN-U750P |
Additional connectivity is also ensured by the inclusion of Memory Stick and CompactFlash Type II expansion slots, as well as built in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g capabilities.
Despite the apparent similarities with the recent onslaught of products based on Microsoft's Tablet PC edition of the Windows XP operating system, the VGN-U750P is based on Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2, utilizing proprietary software from Sony to enable handwriting recognition and other features similar to those found in Tablet PC based products.
In addition to touch-screen interaction and handwriting recognition, users can also utilize a virtual keyboard and a multi-point navigational stick to control the VGN-U750P. Several hard buttons perform commands used frequently, and users will also be able to connect a foldable keyboard - bundled in the sales package - for rapid text input.
Other accessories found in the sales package include a set of headphones with remote control capabilities for audio and video playback, as well as the previously mentioned port replicator.
The VAIO VGN-U750P will be available next month at SonyStyle stores and other select retailers, as well as online for approximately $2,000 USD.
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