Sony Debuts Blu-ray Disc Notebook Series

The new Vaio AR Series will come in two versions - standard and premium - and is Sony's first Blu-ray Disc equipped notebook computer.

Sony today formally unveiled their first Blu-ray Disc enabled notebook computer. Available in standard ($1,799.99) and premium ($3,499.99) versions, the new Vaio AR Series is set to appear this summer.

The Vaio AR Series, said Sony, will offer a variety of next generation video viewing and general computer functions. The premium AR version specifically will play Blu-ray Disc high-definition content so one can enjoy movies in full 1080p HD resolution, incorporate a Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 graphics card featuring 256MB dedicated video memory, have the latest Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology and sport a high gloss, piano-black finish with silver trim and an illuminated VAIO logo.

Other features mentioned as being potentially available in the Vaio AR Series include a 17-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) widescreen display, a HDMI connector and included cable, the capability to record high-definition camcorder content to Blu-ray Discs, Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005, standard-definition NTSC TV tuner, onboard TV controls and a camera and microphone.

“The Vaio AR has the ability to capture, edit and record in HD on a notebook PC right out of the gate,” said Mike Abary, vice president of Vaio product marketing at Sony Electronics in the U.S., in a statement. “Combined with unsurpassed storage capability our new Blu-ray Disc enabled notebook computer offers users with limitless creative possibilities.”