New Sony VAIO BX Series Notebooks Available October (pics, specs)

The Sony VAIO BX Series will be available from Sony in October. The series includes a 14.1" SXGA notebook (BX540B), 15.4" WXGA notebook (BX560B) and 17" WUXGA notebook (BX570B). All have XBRITE screens and come equipped with a Pentium M, built-in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth andthe option of an ATI X700 graphics processor. A docking station will be offered that works with all three sizes of the BX series notebook. Availability starts October 2005.

Sony VAIO BX laptop

This is an interesting move by Sony, usually manufacturers create a series and use the same screen size across that series. But in this case, Sony is offering a wide range of screen sizes for one series and then offering accessories that work across this series. So theoretically you could buy a desktop relacement 17" screen BX notebook and then have a portable 14" BX notebook and use all the same accessories and docking station for both notebooks.

The VAIO BX docking station works for all 3-sizes

VAIO BX540B

The VAIO BX540 Series notebook is designed to be highly-mobile and to meet even the most rigorous performance requirements. The thin and lightweight 14" form factor and magnesium die-cast body make this model the ultimate in mobility without compromising on key functionalities, delivering the flexibility, intelligence, stamina and built-in security your business demands.

• 14" XGA or 14" SXGA+ with XBRITE-ECO Technology
• Intel Pentium M Processor (2MB L2 Cache / 533MHz FSB)
• Up to 120GB Serial ATA [5400rpm] HDD
• Multi Function Bay with optional HDD or optical bay units
• Built-in biometric fingerprint sensor
• Built-in Bluetooth & 802.11b/g WLAN
• Built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver. 1.1b
• Optional MOTION EYE built-in Camera

VAIO BX560B

VAIO BX560 Series notebook is designed to be the basic VAIO Professional notebook with affordable price points. The 15.4" with XBRITE-ECO Technology LCD display, swappable peripherals, leading-edge security components, and powerful communication options make the BX560 notebook an intelligent choice when you are seeking to better manage resources, equip employees and maximize value.

• 15.4" WXGA LCD with XBRITE-ECO Technology
• Intel Pentium M Processor (2MB L2 Cache / 533MHz FSB)
• Up to 120GB Serial ATA [5400rpm] HDD
• Multi Function Bay with optional HDD or optical bay units
• Built-in biometric fingerprint sensor
• Built-in Bluetooth & 802.11b/g WLAN
• Built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver. 1.1b
• Optional MOTION EYE built-in Camera

VAIO BX570

VAIO BX570 Series notebook is designed to unite performance of a desktop PC power and functionality with portability and convenience of a notebook. This 17" notebook is a fully loaded business productivity tool and yet portable. Power and performance to rival a desktop computer comes in the convenient packaging and sleek design of the Sony BX570 notebook.

• Optional 17" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) or 17" WXGA+
• (1440 x 900) LCD with XBRITE Technology
• Intel Pentium M Processor (2MB L2 Cache / 533MHz FSB)
• Up to 240GB (120GB x 2) Serial ATA [5400rpm] HDD
• Multi Function Bay with optional HDD or optical bay units
• Built-in biometric fingerprint sensor
• Built-in Bluetooth & 802.11b/g WLAN
• Built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM) TCG Ver. 1.1b
• Built-in MOTION EYE built-in Camera

VAIO BX Specs PDF with Ports layout: http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesOnline/bxSeries/BXSeries%20ports.pdf

SonyStyle VAIO BX Website:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/BB_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=hid_bx_microsite

BX Multi-Function Bay:

Several bay units are available, which can be inserted or removed on the fly into the multi-function bay on the notebook. These units offer the extra functionality needed for any specific situation, such as providing an optical drive to help burn DVDs, but can be removed to save weight and power when not needed.

Optional bay unit accessories.

• DVD RW Double Layer Bay Unit1
• CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive Bay Unit2
• 80GB HDD Bay Unit (5400rpm SATA)3
• HDD Adapter Bay Unit
  
  
  

 

Another strange laptop from Sony.
Looks like the GR* series (which also had modular design) before they all went huge 16" and turned into A series.

 

So this could mean a thin and light notebook with an x700?? Whoa am I interested!

Brian

 

I'm with you...I was about to purchase a Portable One MX, but may be able to wait for this one...upgraded graphics card and an SXGA screen!
Problem is, it'll probably be a fortune.
Any guesses on pricing?

 

Yeah:-\ I might just go ahead and order the Fujitsu S2110, as I'm not looking to Play BF2 on my laptop (got my SFF desktop w\ 3200+ and 800XL for that), just to play the occational game at low resolution. For $1300, it seems that the S2110 cant be beat.

 

Prices will start at $1,299 for the BX 14". Keep in mind that's for the lowest config and wouldn't include the X700 card.

 

looks like a nice machine....however I looked at the specs...It's abit thick...and couldn't find the weight of it....

:asus:

 

What is the video card that comes with these laptops? They look pretty sweet, I might wait little to check these things out. Also do you think the x700 in the 14" notebook is underclocked? Many latops with smaller screens get gpus with lower core and mem clocks. (Toshiba M3)

 

It comes standard with Integrated chipset video (Intel 915M), while it can be upgraded to the x700 with 128 megs of ram. If it is underclocked, then use ATI Tool and up the clock speed. Having a small screen doesnt mean that there is a smaller need for GPU power (XGA *still* has 745,000 pixels, whether it is 12.1" or 15.4"). I think I just might have to wait a couple of months for this to come out...seems like just what I want, although yes, it is a little thick at 1.3"

Brian

Brian

 

I just meant that most companies put slower gpus in smaller laptops.. not that a small screen doesn't need gpu power.

 

i think it's a pretty cool machine...and looks pretty nice 2

 

It'll be interesting to see what the weight and battery life end up being and how the laptop deals with heat.

 

I am rather impressed that Sony has finally stuck in a higher end GPU into a smaller 14" laptop (plus the SXGA option is a great move by Sony), but I'm underwhelmed at the same time by the prospect of seeing the same parts go into the 17".

 

I like it. It has a good design. It should do well.

 

17" and no full keyboard!!! ... Why has Sony gone with Dell's design methodology. One of the great things about having a 17" is the ability to fit a full KB without having to sacrifice the key size!
I would consider this as a Con for the 17" BX.

I hope Sony has improved their quality on these new lines, cause the latest things that they have been putting out have been really shameful compared to their old (a couple of years ago) laptop quality

 

I found a page with the full specs (besides weight) and hi-res images and the standard Sony PDF's. I am speculating that the weight for the 14" version will be in the 6 pound range although it could be less if Sony wants to keep it very competitive. Battery Life is described as 1.5-5.0 hours with the standard battery.

http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/subcategory/notebooks/bx-series

I don't think the X700 is underclocked. If I recall correctly, the S series with the 9700 was the standard edition.

One other thing I've noticed on this page is the pre-configured models that will be sold in stores and online.

The best bang for the buck sounds like the VGN-BX546B which comes with the Pentium-M 740, 512 MB, X700, 14" SXGA+ XBRITE, 80 GB 5400rpm, and DVD burner. Based on Sony's prices, I imagine that this package will cost around $1800, about the same as what the S series cost about a year ago. Remember that this is a business notebook, so the prices may be more inflated than they should be.

Prices will start around $1,350 for VGN-BX540 (14-inch), $1,300 for the VGN-BX560 (15.4-inch widescreen), and $1,580 for the VGN-BX570 (17-inch widescreen).

 

The 14" version is 1.5 inches thick and 2.5kg weight. A bit on the big side and exactly like the GR series. Let's see if that means a solid laptop.

 

The spec sheet PDF is a bit wrong in that it accidentally gives the dimensions of the 15.4" version (a quick use of the Pythagoearn theorem confirms this). The 14" version is actually 1.3 inches thick, about the same as an S series.

Where did you get the weight? That's a bit lower than I expected. In fact, that's nearly identical to the previous B series notebook which has less powerful components. Of course, it could be the no modular bay, no battery weight, but Sony lists their weights at least with the battery nowadays.

 

Does any one know of the new BX series notebooks will have "dedicated" video X700 cards? Or will they be "shared" as they are currently?

Also, is the October date the same for Canadians?

Thanks.

 

It uses 128 MB dedicated memory. Hypermemory will allow an additional 128 MB to be shared if needed.

Your name sounds mighty familiar. Are you the same DarkDTS_HD on DCRP?

 

It is disappointing that for such a beautiful business class notebook with a swapable modular bay Sony does NOT offer a swapable battery for this!! Shame on Sony, if they want to compete in the business class notebook they absolutely must need it for us travellers!

Most of Sony's competitors who offers business class notebooks have this feature (Dell, IBM, even Gateway with the M460). HP also gets a slap for selling a honking wedge of a battery instead of a swapable one for the CD-ROM bay.

 

At the very least (although this isn't quite as good as having 2 batteries), Sony does offer a double capacity battery that's a must for anybody using this on the road. The double capacity battery should extend battery life to an average of about 7 hours.

 

That's good to know about the upcoming BX series using dedicated video RAM. Can I ask where you found the specs?

I wonder when it's going to be coming to the Canadian market. I'll keep my eyes open for it.

And, yes, I am he "DarkDTS_HD @ DCRP". Are you into digital photography too?

 

Spec Sheet is here - (Click on "See Details" and view the PDF) http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/subcategory/notebooks/bx-series