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Sony Decides It Needs More Fiber
Computers | Nov 17, 05
The laptop business has become exceedingly competitive, with the machines themselves becoming increasingly commoditized. In such an environment, if a manufacturer wishes to have any more than a razor-thin profit margin it has to find some way to distinguish its products from its rivals. With the various computer makers using nearly identical microprocessors and memory, style and design become make or break factors. For some manufacturers this has meant the packaging of their laptops in sleek, lightweight cases, which is where Sony's new VAIO TX series comes in.
The TXs are Sony's line of light, multiple wireless-mode machines. The lack of heft comes from a carbon fiber and carbon composite case, allowing Sony to pack a remarkable number of powerful features into a less than three-pound machine. For example, the top of the line Sony VAIO TX670P/B has a 1.2 GHz Pentium M processor, 1024 MB of RAM, a 60 GB hard drive, DVD-RW, modem, 10/100, bluetooth and 802.11 b/g wireless connectivity, and an 11.1 inch XBRITE display. Its also offers WAN via the Cingular EDGE network. Yet it's only 2.8 lbs in a 10.7"x 8.83"-1.12"x 7.7" case, thanks in part to that high fiber content. Equally remarkable is the fact that while the TX670P/B is quoted at $2,599.99 on the Sony site, there are currently vendors on PriceSCAN advertising this machine at less than $2,390. Only time will tell if this increase in fiber content can make Sony's earnings more, er, regular, but given their sleek, lightweight design, the VAIO TX series might convince you that fiber does in fact belong in more than your bran muffin.
Posted by jeffrey.trester (Permalink)
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