Hey Sony, where's the 1.86GHz VAIO P for America?

We already asked this question with "1.6GHz" in place of "1.86GHz," but seriously Sony, is there some sort of weird embargo on high-speed chips to America that we aren't aware of? While we Yanks have exactly one CPU option for the newly released VAIO P (that'd be the 1.3GHz Atom), those in Japan can order up the VGN-P90S with a 1.86GHz Atom Z540 processor. Of course, it's a ?15,800 ($174) option over the baseline Z520, but an option nonetheless.

VAIO P spotted and unboxed in the American wild

Sure, we were certainly rocking Sony's littlest VAIO in various locations across these United States, but the things have been taking their time in finding their way to the hands of our fellow gadget lovers. After finally starting shipping on Wednesday they're now starting to show up on the doorsteps of lucky folks around the country, with AdamW at HappyAssassin the first to give one the domestic unboxing treatment -- also performing a bonus little comparo with his friendly neighborhood Aspire One. Adam indicates that installing Linux is next on his to-do list, which sounds quite tasty to us.

Sony doth protest too much: don't call the VAIO P a netbook?

Our main man "Rick" over at the sony Blog has penned another short-form stunner entitled "You Can't Tell a Netbook by its Cover," which aims to dispel the seemingly persistent myth that the VAIO P is... gasp, a netbook. We'd thought we'd break down the points (which Sony has helpfully broken down) and see if they hold water. Since the Sony Blog moves through these killers one-by-one, we're going to do the same -- read on for the hard facts.
The keyboard: Sony claims the size of the keyboard gives the P non-netbook bragging rights. We'd almost agree -- the length of the keyboard is impressive -- but actually the keys are Lilliputian in scale, and not much easier to tap away on than similar netbooky models.
The screen: They mention that the screen is backlit. We're not sure if that's an attempted dig at other laptops in this class or not, but every netbook screen we've seen is backlit. Every. One. We'll give them this though, the VAIO P destroys the competition when it comes to resolution. Unfortunately, you pay for those pixels, and reading text on this super high-res (yet super tiny) screen is not... er, not super pleasant.
The core: It has an Atom Z processor. They pretty much all have an Atom processors these days, though it's interesting to note that the Z chips are actually considered MID or UMPC processors, though are functionally the same in comparison to the more oft-used N series. Also worth mentioning: the VAIO P's CPU speed is clocked slower (1.3GHz) than most of its competition on the market (1.6GHz). Next!
The wireless capabilities: You're touting the WiFi? Really Sony? Moving briskly along, the VAIO P offers EV-DO on Verizon's network. Nice touch. Of course, for an additional $125, you can snag 3G connectivity on the Dell Mini 9 and 12, and it's built right in to HP's Mini 1000 (accessible with a little driver magic). Those aren't the only options -- and there's plenty more on the way. Really looking for a staggering price difference? Buy a 3G-infused Mini 9 for $99 (tied to a two-year contract). At least you're not dropping $900 plus the contract.
GPS: Now it's true, there aren't a ton of netbooks on the market with GPS, though the new LG X110 will sport it (and HSDPA) for far less cash than the P, and for those willing to get their hands a little dirty, you can strike navigation gold on the Mini 9 with a little hack. Still, the VAIO P comes loaded with GPS, no muss, no fuss, and you can't take that away from it.
Dual OS: Ah yes, the dual OSs of Microsoft Windows Vista and... Sony's Xross Media Bar interface? Listen, we love the XMB Sony, but that ain't no OS. We do like the instant-on option here, but we're just not sure you can properly refer to it as an operating system. And of course, quickboot options are available on numerous other laptops in this class.
The options: The VAIO P offers SSD options on top of traditional hard drives. For lots more money. So do other makers. Plus, there are myriad third party options to add an SSD. This point is bunk on many levels, particularly because an option that adds a huge cost to the laptop doesn't count as a basic point to distance it from netbooks. You can pay a lot of money to get an SSD in a lot of laptops, netbook or not.
Which brings us to our final -- and perhaps most telling -- point. Price. Rick boasts that the VAIO P starts at an "ain't cheap" $900 and goes up from there. And let's be honest Sony, this is really your hook, line, and sinker in the "it's not a netbook" argument. It simply costs more. A cost which, as you stated in your press conference at CES, you want users to "aspire" to pay. That may be fine for the few who don't mind getting taken for a ride when there are plenty of viable, less expensive options, but in an economic climate where jobs are being cut by the thousands every day, this point is borderline offensive.
You want to sell a netbook as something else on the merit of its cost, and that's fine by us. Just don't expect an informed public to go along for the ride.

• Sony's VAIO P spotted for sale in Hong Kong, price tag spotted too

Sony's VAIO P spotted for sale in Hong Kong, price tag spotted too

Just last week our hopes for an affordable VAIO P were quickly dashed as Amazon's UK site fixed what was apparently typo, setting the price on Sony's "don't call me a netbook" ultraportable to over $1,000. That's in-line with what we've been expecting for the US release, but still we'd held out some hope for a last-minute price cut. Now, like a twist of the knife, we have photos of the machines for sale in the wild -- with a wild price tag to match. Kip HT took these pictures (one above, one below) at a Hong Kong retailer and passed them along, sending word that the top-spec model was going for the equivalent of $2,188.48. No word on a price for the cheapest model, but it seems we now have confirmation that the Sony tax also applies overseas.
[Thanks, Kip HT]

Sony's VAIO P priced at ?300 on Amazon's UK site

Now we're talking. We don't exactly what's going on in the UK, but this vaio P for ?300 (about $442) makes us seriously want to jet on over. The last time we saw one of these babies priced, we were looking at a steep ?1,368.99 (or around $2,017) -- though that was for the kitted out 128GB SSD version with 3G broadband on-board. Still, we'll happily take this 60GB HDD / 2GB RAM iteration at this price, since it actually hits that sweet spot we were hoping to find the first time around. The only question is whether or not this isn't just some kind of nasty glitch in the Matrix -- it does seem unlikely we'll see price fluctuations this wide. Any word Sony? We'll be reaching for our credit cards and international waybills while we wait.
Update: If it seems to good to be true, it probably is, right? Right. The price is now back to the astronomical figure of ?740 ($1,090). Drat.

• Hey sony , where's the 1.6GHz VAIO P for America?

Hey Sony, where's the 1.6GHz VAIO P for America?

Sure, we Americans are enamored by flashy designs, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate performance. For whatever reason, consumers in the UK, Japan and the Principality of Sealand (among other locales) can order up Sony's oh-so-cute VAIO P with a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, while we Americans can't get anything other than the stock 1.3GHz chip. So, what gives Sony? Supply chain problems? Too much haterade? None of the above?

Sony's VAIO P up for pre-order in all sorts of hues

Sony's VAIO P netbook ultraportable isn't slated to start shipping until February here in the States, but those absolutely certain that they want one stuck in their coat and / or rear pants pocket can get in line starting today. The pre-orders are open for Sony's 1.4 pound VAIO, with $899.99 to $1,499.99 securing your spot on the launch list. They're available in a whole heap of colors (garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black), and there's even an engraving option if you're already thinking about a rather spectacular Valentine's Day gift. Hint, hint, gentlemen.

Sony's VAIO P gets unpocketed, unboxed

We've seen the vaio P's sexy little case, but we've yet to witness the corrugated box in which it resides. Until now, obviously. As the rear pocket stuffing theme trucks on without any signs of stopping, the lucky souls over at AkihabaraNews managed to get ahold of a fully packaged model in order to completely unwrap it on camera. The full gallery's down there in the read link -- don't pretend like you're not heading over to check it out.

• VAIO P doesn't have nothin' on these other awesome pocket-friendly PCs

VAIO P doesn't have nothin' on these other awesome pocket-friendly PCs

We can't decide what's more hilarious: these pictures, or Sony's attempt to convince us we can fit the VAIO P in a jeans (or Jimmy Fallon's jacket) pocket. Comedy ensues after the break.

Sony's flexible OLED mockups

Sony hasn't gotten very far along with these units -- they're really just plastic shells -- but we like we're they're headed with it. They showed off a full-screen laptop (pictured), bendable e-reader, and Walkman bracelet concepts, all based around flexible OLED technology and built with "flexible bioplastics," along with the flexible display that going to power them all when they hit the market... in the year 2000.

Video: Viliv S7 hands on and VAIO P comparo

As promised, we've made a run over to check out Viliv's forthcoming S7 netbook tablet, bringing along the ever-popular vaio P to see how the two stack up (as well as an Eee 1000H for good measure). As you can see, the S7 actually isn't that much larger than the Sony, maybe 30 percent thicker and a little bit wider, but also a bit shorter. The thing manages to find room for a track pad on top of the keyboard, but it's an awfully small one, so thank goodness for the (non-multi) touch screen. Also small is that keyboard, which is one of the most painful we've yet experienced on a netbook, featuring arrow and punctuation keys that even a pygmy would fat-finger. But, compromises must be made when making machines small, and small this one is. Viliv has written a custom skin that overlays the Windows XP install, demonstrated in a video below. It's reasonably pleasant to use (minimizing the need to rely on that tiny trackpad), but is also easy to exit if you're not feeling it. We already know the specs of this tiny convertible, so the only mysteries left are "when" followed immediately by "how much." The answers we received to those questions are unfortunately a bit vague: "before this summer" and a rather predictable "less than the VAIO P." We're guessing it'll be a lot less. Oh, and for those examining the gallery, don't worry about the rough edges you might spy: this is a pre-production S7, so things should be a good bit more polished when it hits retail.

• VAIO P, now with more Windows 7

VAIO P, now with more Windows 7

We just couldn't help ourselves, and put this Windows 7 .iso we had lying around exactly where it belongs: on Sony's vaio P. After mucking around on "the internet" figuring out the best way to install it, we ended up going the lazy route and dragging / dropping the plain files onto a folder on a USB drive, hitting setup.exe and watching the installer do its magic -- and it worked flawlessly! We weren't timing it or anything, but we'd say 45 minutes or so is a good guesstimate for the install. A few thoughts:

• It boots fast! Not that Vista was that bad on the boot front, but we're pretty happy with this.
• No Aero. That's to be expected, but the lack of transparency and visual effects makes the OS look quite a bit different than most of the screenshots out there.
• It's very responsive. To be honest, a lot of that could be from the fact that this is a clean install, minus all the crap sony loads on. Still, we're very happy for the start menu to pop open instantly, windows to redraw like God intended... it's pretty great.
• Browsing is 100% better. Internet Explorer pops open in a flash, and pages load in times nearly on comparison with "real" computers. Also, scrolling is ultra smooth, whereas with Vista it was stuttery all the way down.
• There's a lot more to explore. We've just scratched the surface, but we love what we've seen so far.

Update: both videos are after the break!
Update 2: for those who've asked: yes, the webcam works, and no, we haven't had any luck getting Aero up and running, though we have the video drivers loaded -- we're not saying it's impossible, in fact, it's likely very possible, since plenty of other similarly specced netbooks can pull it off, but it's just not happening for us just yet.

• Sony speaks about VAIO P, evidently thinks it's not a netbook
• vaio P vs Eee PC... fight!

VAIO P vs Eee PC... fight!

We've got a VAIO P in the house, and we thought it'd only be fitting to put the quintessential "it's not netbook, we swear!" up against the quintessential netbook, ASUS's Eee PC (in convenient 7-inch and 10-inch flavors). Stand by for further impressions, but boy is that screen densely packed with pixels.

Sony speaks about VAIO P, evidently thinks it's not a netbook

What's up with companies suddenly not wanting to call their netbooks, um, netbooks? Sony's Mike Abary sat down with LaptopMag in order to discuss the VAIO P, and as always, the company didn't hesitate to shoot off a few more-than-controversial tidbits. For starters, Mr. Abary insinuated that the 8-inch machine wasn't actually a good fit for the netbook category, noting that "the type of premium customer it is targeting probably doesn't even know what a netbook is." Furthermore, he reckoned that around 60% of prospective VAIO P buyers would be women, and it doesn't view 12-inch laptops as a threat. If you're hungry for even more one-liners that you can jump all over, head on down to the read link -- just remember, yelling at your LCD doesn't do anyone any good.

Viliv's S7 "productivity MID" got announced in August at the Intel Developer Forum, and, while we were impressed by the form factor and the promise, it's always hard to get too excited without a full spec sheet and an MSRP. Now at CES we're still in the dark about price (and availability), but are finally hearing just what's going on under the keyboard; Atom processors in 1.3GHz and 1.6GHz flavors, a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 screen, 1GB of RAM, and either 16GB worth of SSD or 60GB served up on platters. Wireless connectivity is handled over 802.11b/g, WiMAX, and HSDPA, and the device promises "blueray HD video playback" -- which we're taking to mean it can display 1080p footage without completely choking, but we're not sure just where that video would come from given the lack of optical drive. But, hey, look at that sexy picture! Rest assured we'll prop this up against a VAIO P as soon as we can get our hands on one.