Sony unveiled a powerhouse of a multimedia laptop at CES, boasting an impressive list of high-end features.
| Sony VAIO AR |
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 The Sony Vaio AR is a nice fit for a high-end home theater setup in need of a portable, hi-def solution. While this might be a narrow niche, we think such enthusiasts will enjoy the Vaio AR, which looks every bit the part it will play. These customers probably won't miss the lack of DVI output, or the unimpressive dedicated media controls, as their system will already use better options. Gamers looking for a desktop replacement for LAN parties might want to look elsewhere, as the machine couldn't keep up playing Crysis. And road warriors who want to watch a hi-def movie in first class better check to make sure the plane has power outlets, because battery life, though better than other laptops in this class, won't last a full movie, let alone a cross-country flight. Still, the Vaio AR's size makes it easy for typing and using on the desktop, in lieu of an external monitor, and with all of the newest, most advanced tech onboard, it should keep up with the newest multimedia machines for months to come. Release: January 2008. Price: $3600.
Pros: Blu-Ray burner. Full HD display, and HDMI output. Large keyboard.
Cons: Pricey, even for these capabilities. Battery won't last through a movie. Couldn't play Crysis.
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Philip Berne, Matthew Ruiz, Edward Distel and Sindre Lia contribute to the CES 2008 coverage.
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