Here’s an in-depth review of the VAIO Z that covers a lot of things that the major reviews miss out on.

http://www.siliconpopculture.com/articles/review/sony_vaio_z/

Who cares about slipping it into an envelope? The Z may be a tad “thicker”, but it’s still just over 3 pounds, has an optical drive, etc. The MBA isn’t even close to that spec, but it is “thinner” as well as bigger. No thanks.

Not sure where “this early stage” thing comes from, it’s already available at SonyStyle.com. It’s not nearly as thin as the Air, just looks like it in those pics because much of the lower part is black.

Just wanted to (annoyingly) remind people that Sony first came out with the style of keyboard now found on the MacBook and MacBook Air back in *2004*, and they were black to begin with. Please take that into account when calling the keyboard similar to that of the Air. Also, it has distinctly non-tapered sids and that obnoxiously large logo on the lid and those stupid stickers all over the place; no one will mistake that for an Air

Thanks for that info Victor. I have in fact been eyeing the Z for quite some time. The top of the line system I specced was almost $4k! Nice piece of kit, though.

James,

The article you’re referencing has incorrect images showing. They’re mixing images of the new Sony VAIO Type Z and the Type SR.

While both are in the thin and light/ultramobile category, the new Z series is really the device you should be looking at. The SR is essentially a “redesign” for the venerable S/SZ class VAIOs.

The Z is a professional oriented system that boasts the one of the most powerful spec’d systems in an ultrathin package. It has discrete (256MB even) and integrated graphics, a new 1600×900 (16:9 aspect ratio) screen with 100% NTSC color gamut, and doesn’t sacrifice any standard ports. It also boasts a Blu-Ray burner and SSD RAID 0 option (without sacrificing optical drive) all in a carbon fibre/aluminum case at 3.42 lbs.

THere’s a SOny press conference at IFA at the end of the month. I wonder if we’ll hear more then. Fingers crossed for a UMPC and Mininote.

Meh, it isn’t as thin as those pics would have you to believe. The SR has been available in the US for a couple of weeks now. It is a very nice machine. I’m typing this on mine. One of the nicer machines I’ve used in a very long time. BTW, the Sony Z is the machine that a lot of people are anticipating. It is a little heavier than the Macbook Air, but includes a Blueray drive, 13″ 1600×900 display, and nVidia discrete graphics. That is due to hit in a couple of weeks.

http://reviews.infosyncworld.com/laptops/compare/?name1=Apple+MacBook+Air&name2=Sony+Vaio+SR

From the photos the SR looks like a larger version of the Vaio TZ. Sony is also using the chicklet keyboard design on the new Vaio FW and Vaio Z.

The forthcoming Dell Latitude E4300 will be another 13.3″ ultra-thin notebook competing with the MBA, SR and X300.

The Sony Vaio SR != Macbook Air!