By staff writer

SYDNEY: Sony has updated its Vaio notebook computer range with a comprehensive rollout of new products all designed to run Microsoft’s resource-hungry Windows Vista operating system.

All models in new the range have been refreshed to run Vista and are available in the market now.

The new flagship high definition entertainment notebook is the VGN-AR38 (RRP $5,499), which features a built-in Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing high definition movies and data backup (50GB on a double-sided BD-R disc). The AR38 is the company’s multimedia powerhouse featuring a 17-inch WUXGA Clear Bright high-colour LCD screen, 240GB hard disk drive, 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM and Windows Vista Home Premium pre-installed.

Windows Vista Home Premium has also been added to the colourful Vaio C25 (RRP $1999) which now ships with 1GB DDR2 SDRAM and an 80GB hard disk offering users the choice of five colours including black, white, green, grey, pink and the new glacier blue.

Sony has updated its original handheld ultra-mobile PC, the Vaio UX17, with the updated UX27GN (RRP $2,799) which, like its predecessor, is among the world’s smallest and lightest PC, according to Sony. Featuring an Intel Core Solo U1500 processor, 40GB hard disk drive and 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, Sony says the UX27GN can act as a palm-sized companion capable of functioning as a music player, digital still camera and office assistant.

The new Vaio range also includes the all-purpose SZ series with three models in the line-up including the SZ48GN (RRP $3,699), SZ44GN (RRP $2,899) and SZ43GN (RRP $2,499). Loaded with Windows Vista Business edition, these notebooks incorporate business-friendly features such as fingerprint security, TPM chip and HDD shock protection to ensure the safety of sensitive corporate data.

The ultraportable TX series has been updated with two new models, the TX57 (RRP $3,599) and TX56 (RRP $2,999), both weighing just 1.25kg and using Intel Core Solo U1500 and U1400 respectively.

Sony’s new model at the entry-level price is the N27GH (RRP $1,699) featuring an Intel Core 2 Duo T5200 processor and running Windows Vista Home Basic. Designed for simple home user, the model has an 80GB HDD and a 15.4-inch Clear Bright LCD screen.