Sony unveiled Wednesday in Japan its new the Vaio L desktop series that are similar to flat-panel televisions.
The new Vaio L desktop machines are all-in-one models in which the computer circuitry is built behind the monitor.
Sony debuted two main types: the LA series has a 19-inch widescreen display and wireless keyboard and the LB series has a 15.4-inch widescreen display and attached keyboard. The keyboard on the latter model is attached to the main body on hinges just under the display and can be folded up to cover most of the display when not in use. The L machines are similar to the Vaio W PCs that came to the U.S. in 2002.
The LA machines are available in two hardware configurations. Both include a TV recording function, 512MB of memory and a 200GB hard drive. They differ in their processor: One features an Intel Core Duo T2300 processor and the other an Intel Celeron M 420 processor. The basic configuration for the LB machines has Celeron M 420 processor, 512MB of memory, and an 80GB hard drive, but no TV recording function.
The Intel Core Duo LA machine will cost approximately $2110, the Celeron M-based LA machine will cost about $1860 and the LB machine will sell for $1520. All three will be available in Japan from April 22. Sony said it is considering an overseas launch, but did not confirm anything.
The total line of PCs that were showcased totalized 41 models. No Blu-ray Disc-based machines expected to go on sale in the middle of this year, were demonstrated.
Sony had mentionned at this year's CeBIT that it hopes to put Vaio desktop and laptop computers with Blu-ray Disc support on sale worldwide in the middle of this year. Yesterday the company said the machines would be available in the U.S. in the "early summer" and refused to comment on a launch time for other markets.