Sony relents and enters lucrative netbook market

Addressing recent consumer demand and expectations, Sony has finally decided to enter the netbook market with new lower-end Vaio models.

The Vaio W series, available in white, pink and brown, will hit stores in Japan for around 60,000 yen ($630) next month. It comes with a 10.1” high resolution LCD and is equipped with Microsoft's Windows XP operating system and Intel's Atom processor.

The price of the W series is much cheaper in comparison to other Vaio notebook models such as the P series of ‘pocket PCs’ that was released in the UAE earlier this year at a cost of more than AED 3,000.

Since Taiwan's Asustek came out with the breakthrough Eee PC netbook in 2007, other top computer brands such as Acer, HP and Dell Inc have pushed out their own lines to an eager consumer base, while Sony initially hesitated to join in.

Sony's US SVP of Information Technology Products Division Mike Abary, told respected technology blog engadget in an interview last year that consumer demand leaning towards cheaper computers such as the Eee PC would have a negative impact on the industry, which he described as "a race to the bottom."

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM