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It was originally an
acronym for Video Audio Integrated Operation, but since 2008 amended to Visual Audio
Intelligence Organizer to celebrate the brand's 10th year anniversary. The branding was created by
Timothy Hanley to distinguish items that encompassed the use of consumer audio and video, as well as
being conventional computing products. One example of this was the Sony VAIO W Series personal
computer, which functioned as a regular computer and a miniature entertainment center. Although Sony
made computers in the 1980s for the Japanese market only, Sony withdrew from the computer business
around the turn of the decade. Sony's re-entry to the computer market, this time globally, under the new
VAIO brand, started in 1996 with the PCV series of desktops. The VAIO logo also represents the integration
of analog and digital technology. The 'VA' represents an analog wave and the 'IO' represents digital binary
code.
Products
Sony is expanding the use of the VAIO label. It can now be found on notebooks, subnotebooks, desktop
and media centres. Network media solutions by Sony will also carry the VAIO brand.
VAIO notebooks are currently shipped with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional[citation needed] (Business line) or
Windows 7 Home Premium, while high-end models sometimes come with Windows 7 Ultimate.
In mid-2005, all models stopped shipping with a Recovery CD, which was replaced by a hidden partition on
the hard drive, accessible at boot via the BIOS or also within Windows via a utility. Pressing [F10] (at the
VAIO logo) during boot-up will cause the notebook to boot from the recovery partition; where the user has
the choice of either running hardware diagnostics (without affecting the installed system), or restoring (re-
imaging) the hard drive to factory condition (of course, this option will destroy all user installed
applications and all data). On first running the system out of the box, VAIO users are prompted to create a
set of recovery DVDs, which will be required in case of hard disk failure and replacement with a new drive
(normally these would not be required if the system is restored from the hidden partition).
Also included as part of the out-of-box experience, are prompts to register at Club VAIO, an online
community for VAIO owners and enthusiasts, which also provides automatic driver updates and technical
support via email, along with exclusive desktop wallpapers and promotional offers. On recent models, you
are also prompted to register your trial versions of Microsoft Office and the installed antivirus software
(Norton Anti-Virus on older models, and McAfee Antivirus on newer ones) upon initial boot.
VAIO computers come with components from companies such as Intel processors, Seagate Technology,
Hitachi, Fujitsu or Toshiba hard drives, Infineon RAM, Atheros and Intel wireless chipsets, Sony (usually
made by Hitachi) or Matsushita optical drives, Intel, NVIDIA or ATI graphics processors and Sony speakers.
Recent laptops are being shipped with Qimonda RAM, HP speakers with Realtek High Definition Audio
Systems, and optional Dolby Sound Room technology. It has been confirmed that a touch-screen VAIO is
planned to be launched as well as support for PlayStation Network.
[edit] Technology
Sony has been criticized for loading its VAIO laptops with bloatware, or ineffective and unrequested
software that supposedly allows the user to immediately use the laptop for multimedia purposes. Dell had
been accused of the same practice, but after strong customer feedback agreed to offer "limited" pre-
installed software on its machines.[2] Sony now offers a "Fresh start" option in some regions with some of
their business models. With this option, the computer is shipped only with a basic install of Windows and
very little of the trial software is installed. The default webcam software in VAIO notebooks is ArcSoft
WebCam Companion. It offers a set of special effects called Magic-i visual effects, through which users can
enhance the images and videos taken through the webcam. It also features the face detection feature.
Certain other Sony proprietary software such as Click to Disc Editor, VAIO Music Box, VAIO Movie Story,
VAIO Media Plus are also included in the recent models. Those shipped with ATI Radeon Video cards
feature the Catalyst Control Centre, which enables the user to adjust the various video features such as
brightness, contrast, resolution etc., and also enables connecting with an external display.
Current models
Personal notebooks
All personal notebook models come with Windows 7 Home Premium installed. Unlike the business range,
XP downgrade options are not available on all models.
• AW Series – 18.4" high-end multimedia range, with 1080p resolution screen and SSD options. Replaced the AR series.
• F Series – 16.4" consumer entertainment range. There are options for a Blu-ray disc reader or burner, and an option for a
Full HD widescreen. The notebook is the second largest in Sony's current range, the first being the VAIO AW series.
• NW Series – A 15.5" entry level laptop for home users. Successor of the NS Series. Includes an HDMI port and a 16:9
display. The higher-end models include a Blu-ray Disc reader.
• CW Series- A 14" notebook that is customizable compared to the pre-built NW series. Successor to the CS series. Can be
customized with up to a Core i5 540M, 8 GB of DDR3 SDRAM, a Blu-ray burner, nVidia graphics and 500 GB hard drive.
• X Series - An 11.1 " ultraportable that uses the Intel Atom Z550 and has 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 MHz. Not only is
this the first computer launched in the United States that uses the 2 GHz Atom Z550, but it is also one of the most expensive
computers to use an Intel Atom processor, competing with Sony's own VAIO P Series.
• P Series – An 8" ultraportable range that uses a Intel Atom CPU Z520-Z550 dependant on model, and has 2 GB of DDR2
SDRAM @ 533 MHz and a 1600x768(UWXGA)
• W Series – A 10.1" sub-notebook (netbook), aimed at a young audience. Available in White, Brown and Pink using a Intel
Atom Processor N450, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 160 GB HDD, Windows XP Home or Windows 7 Home Basic
Business notebook models usually come with Windows 7 Professional installed (some higher models
feature Windows 7 Ultimate. All business models have an XP downgrade option and full driver support).
• TT Series[3] – Ultra portable 11.1" professional notebook. Successor of the TZ Series. The smallest notebook computer to
accommodate a Blu-ray Disc drive at 11 inches.
• Z Series[4] – 13.1" Ultra portable, featuring a 1600 x 900 display an optional 1920 x 1080 (Full High Definition) resolution
upgrade and integrated WWAN.[5] (Replaces the high-end models of the SZ Series.)
• SR Series[6] – 13.3" ultraportable, for home and business use. (Replaces the low-end models of the SZ Series.)
• BZ Series[7] – Robust business notebooks with Trusted Platform Module and biometric fingerprint security technology.
(Replaces the BX Series.)
• G Series - 11.1" ultra portable notebook employing Trusted Platform Module technology and biometric fingerprint security
features. Weighed only 1.1 kg and was made from CFRP and had an ultra thin LED backlit screen. This notebook brought
many technologies that are now on mainstream notebooks to the consumer.
From the second quarter of 2008, all higher end models (AW, FW, Z, SR, TT and BZ) have incorporated a
cylindrical spine, with no ports on the back of the computer. Generally, the AC adapter port is located on
one end of the cylindrical spine, and the power button on the other.
As of early 2009, Sony offer a customization option on higher-end machines through Sony's high-street
and online retail store, Sony Style. Customization options include operating system (64-bit rather than 32-
bit versions of Windows), RAM, graphics hardware, and in some models, casing. Configure-to-order
machines can be distinguished by the fact their 8-digit product code starts with 54 rather than 27 or 28.
• JS Series – 20.1" integrated lifestyle desktop available in a variety of colors. The chassis design closely resembles that of the
Sony Bravia KDL-19M4000 19" LCD HDTV.
[edit] Problems
On September 4, 2008, Sony announced a worldwide voluntary product inspection and rework program for
TZ-series notebook computers manufactured since June 2007. All model numbers beginning with VGN-TZ1
and VGN-TZ2 were eligible, along with some VGN-TZ3 notebooks. The issue involves "a limited number of
units" which could potentially "generate heat around the DC jack inlet and frame of LCD screen, which
creates the potential of deformation of the plastic casing". [9] In the United States, the service offered is
generally on-site, whilst in the rest of the world the service typically involves collection of the notebook by
a courier, often DHL, for servicing in a Sony repair center. ChannelWeb reports 100,000 have been
recalled.
It has transpired that some VGN-CS series and VGN-BZ series VAIO notebook computers exhibit some
“ uncharacteristic fan noise ”
On affected VAIO notebook computers, the cooling fan will start to make an unusual noise. For affected
models highlighted in this notice, Sony will offer a free repair service for two years starting from the
purchase date.[10]
In the past, nearly all Sony VAIO computers have had hardware virtualization technology (VT) disabled at
the factory,[11] the exception being the new BZ range, which uses an Aptio BIOS by American Megatrends,
rather than the customized Phoenix BIOS common on older models. However, on November 3, 2009, Sony
released the following information on the Vaio-Link.com website:
A number BIOS updates have been released which provide the option to enable VT in the
BIOS. If a VT-enabling bios has been published for your VAIO model, you can find it in the
Updates section.
The released BIOS updates were provided for most of the VAIO range, and as expected, it will only list the
"Enable VT" option in the BIOS if the CPU supports it.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
4. ^ VAIO-link: Z series
5. ^ VAIO Z Series PC | Sony | SonyStyle USA
6. ^ VAIO-link: SR series [dead link]
8. ^ VAIO-link: L series
9. ^ VAIO of Europe voluntary inspection and rework program
10. ^ "Notice of warranty extension for VAIO Notebook Computer - VGN-CS series and VGN-BZ series". Sony. 9 October 2009.
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/announcement/340243/product/vgn-cs16g. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
11. ^ "KB C381809". Sony VAIO. p. 1. http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=C381809. Retrieved 2010-05-26