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VAIO, an acronym for Video Audio Integrated Operation, is a brand slogan for many of Sony's computer products. The branding was created 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 PC and a miniature entertainment center. Sony's entry to the computer market started in 1996 with the PCV series of desktops.
Logo
The VAIO logo uses the letters V and A to represent a cosine wave and the letters I and O to represent the numerals one and zero. The logo symbolizes the analog and digital multimedia capabilities of the product line, as well as Sony's vision of entertainment and technology "convergence".
Products
Sony is expanding the use of the VAIO label. It can now be found on notebooks, subnotebooks, desktop (though Sony no longer makes desktops), and a hard-disk-based audio player (called VAIO POCKET player). Network media solutions by Sony will also carry the VAIO brand.
High-end VAIO notebooks are usually shipped with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, while others come with Microsoft XP Home. As of October 2005, VAIO notebooks and desktop are available upon request without pre-installed software at a slightly lower price. Most recently, some models no longer ship with a Recovery CD, but a special partition on the hard drive is used for the recovery information, including operating system and all bundled software. VAIO users are prompted to create a set of recovery CDs or DVDs immediately after purchase.
VAIO computers typically come with high-end components, such as Fujitsu hard drives, Samsung RAM, and Matsushita optical drives.
Models
- UX Series: 4.5" Core Duo, around .89kg (1.27 lbs).
- FE Series: 15.4" Core Duo, around 2.8kg (6.17lbs).
- SZ Series: 13.3" Core Duo, around 1.7kg (3.8lbs) (for the premium carbon model) and 1.85kg (4lbs) (for the regular model)
- AR Series: 17" Core Duo large format notebook, around 4kg (8.8lbs), available with Blu-Ray/TV tuning capabilities
- TX Series: 11" Minature notebook models, weighing below 1.3kg (2.76lbs) and with very long battery life (7hrs+). See VAIO VGN-TX2
All of the above feature wide format XBRITE displays.
Sony also offer a range of VAIO business BX models aimed at the corporate world, with enhanced security features and more stable roadmap. This range is generally in its infancy at this stage compared to the main models, and seen as uncompetitive with Dell's Latitude or Lenovo's Thinkpad line, especially when it comes to battery life and accessory choice.
Bundled software
VAIO computers feature a wide array of specially designed or bundled software, allowing the user to immediately use the laptop for multimedia purposes. Many of these applications have inspired similar software or integration into the Windows OS (e.g. an early application, Movie Shaker, may be considered precursor to Windows XP's Movie Maker). Some of these software products include:
- SonicStage, a digital music manager. Integrated with Sony's Connect downloadable music service, it allows users to transfer music to Sony standalone music players, PDAs, or PSPs.
- PictureGear, an image management software that predated popular programs like Picasa.
- VAIO Zone / Do VAIO* (in Europe and Asia), used for music listening, viewing photo slide shows, and watching TV (when a tuner card is present) and DVDs. VAIO Zone is an equivalent to Apple Front Row and Windows XP Media Center Edition.
VAIO notebooks were the first to feature a special screen coating called XBRITE™ or ULTRABLACK, which increases the brightness of the screen and makes the image more "lively." This effect is especially apparent when watching a movie on the computer screen. It is not as effective, however, outdoors, where reflections limit image visibility.
External links
"VAIO"