Sony desktop
Sony is to make its long-promised move into the UK desktop PC market in early summer. At a press conference last week in Munich, Germany, it unveiled the PCV-LX1, a PC similar to models recently launched in Japan and the US.
In typically bullish Sony style, the company promised to "add excitement and originality to the PC market". And while the PCV-LX1 doesn't exactly turn PC design on its head, it does sport an innovative dual hinge LCD screen that can be used either upright or virtually flat on a desk.
Sony is keeping the model's full specification under wraps, although it did confirm that the PC will run Microsoft's Windows Me (Millennium) operating system, feature an integrated CD-RW/DVD drive and arrive with a selection of Sony and Adobe digital imaging software installed. It also has a generous array of sockets, including five USB ports, an Ethernet port, two iLink connectors, and slots for memory sticks and PC cards. The PC is expected to retail for between £1,800 and £2,000. Other desktops are to follow later in the year.
The company has also announced upgrades to its Vaio notebook PC range. Due shortly are five new models in the desktop replacement FX series, two new ones in the high-end portable Z600 range, and a new lightweight SR model. Also new is the PCG-QR10, a take- anywhere budget notebook PC that sports black casing and an aluminium handle designed for easy carrying. The model's fairly basic specification includes an Intel Celeron 650MHz processor, 64MB of memory, a 10GB hard drive, a 13.3-inch TFT LCD screen and an integrated CD-rom drive and modem.
The major downside is the inclusion of the large Vaio logo on the casing, which not only gives free advertising to Sony, but also alerts would-be thieves that the user is carrying a laptop PC.
Due to arrive in UK shops in the next couple of weeks is Sony's long-awaited take on the PDA - the Clie. The slim purple-and-silver handheld PC marries traditional Sony Vaio features, such as a memory stick slot, digital-imaging software and a jog-dial control, with the Palm PDA operating system. Sony has also promised users that a selection of Clie gadgets, which fit into the unit's Memory Stick slot, will become available over the following months. These include a digital camera, a GPS system and a fingerprint detector. A connector for hooking the unit to a mobile phone, allowing the Clie to browse the web using its integrated AvantGo software, is also on the cards. However, potential buyers should note that the lead is only compatible with Sony mobile phones.
Also due in the stores shortly is a 128MB version of Sony's Memory Stick storage card, which is to retail for around £200.
Finally, in among a host of DVD players, surround sound systems and hi-fi components, Sony announced it would feature two potential replacements for the VHS VCR in 2002. Video fans will be offered both a DVD recorder, compatible with the rival DVD+RW and DVD- RW recording formats, and a hard disk-based recorder, almost certainly developed in conjunction with the TiVo group in the US.
Digital take
Olympus has unveiled a digital take on its best-selling Mju range of film cameras. The new model, the Camedia C1, shares its siblings' sleek minimalist styling, although as it has to accommodate extra digital features and a SmartMedia card slot, it is slightly larger.
Targeted at non-technical users, the C1 has a budget price tag of around £275, which is reflected in its modest selection of features. Image resolution is rated at 1.34 megapixels - significantly less than most Olympus digital cameras. Still shots (there is no moving image facility) are stored on the 8MB SmartMedia card that accompanies the camera.
Other facilities include a 3.8cm TFT LCD screen, a 2x digital zoom, a selection of pre-programmed auto-exposure modes, and a self-timer.
The Camedia C1 goes on sale next month.
