Sony adds to Vaio notebook range

Sony has added another two models to its range of Vaio notebooks, one of which features translucent colours similar to those available in the iMac range.

Sony has added another two models to its range of Vaio notebooks, one of which features translucent colours similar to those available in the iMac range.

The Vaio QR (PCG-QR I/BP) breaks from the traditional grey appearance, sporting a blue-black translucent casing and light-grey aluminium piping around the outside of the machine.

Internally, it differs little from Sony's existing range, and the machine's appearance will be the main attraction to potential buyers. However, Sony said it has no plans to release an additional range of colours, akin to Apple's iMac.

Sony's second new product is the Vaio GT (PCG-GTI), a hybrid laptop and video camcorder. It has a big video lens unit stuck on the side which, along with the display, can be turned 180 degrees.

The machine uses the power-saving Crusoe chip from Transmeta. Sony claims that units have a battery life of up to 17 hours. The model is similar to the Vaio PCG-C1VE that Sony released last month. It features a 600Mhz Crusoe processor, a 12Gb hard drive with 128Mb of Ram and an integrated digital camera.

The updates conclude a busy month for Sony, which just three weeks ago added the PCG-C1VE, the entry-level F801 and the lightweight SR11K to its notebook line.

Sony will release the Vaio QR and the Vaio GT next month. The machines will have street prices of $1850 and $2785, respectively.

Separayely, the potential of Nvidia's low-power GeForce2 MX graphics card has led to a mobile spin-off. The company has signed an agreement to incorporate its devices into Sony's Vaio PCV-RX270DS and PCV-RX280DS models.

The addition of 3D graphical acceleration into the mobile computer is expected to increase the use of laptops for high-end digital imaging, graphic design and video email.