Sony launches its first notebook with a flash drive

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Sony is refreshing its lightweight Vaio Type-G laptop and has begun offering a solid-state flash drive as an option, making the Type G the first notebook from Sony to be available with an SSD. Flash drives offer faster data read and write times, greater shock resistance and lower power consumption, but at a higher cost. Customers will see the price of a Type G jump by ¥65,000 ($545) when they choose a 32GB flash drive over a 40GB hard disk drive, said Shoko Yanagisawa, a Sony spokeswoman in Tokyo. Replacing the hard disk drive with a flash drive will lighten the machine by 39 grams.

A machine based on an Intel Celeron M 443 (1.20GHz) processor with the flash drive will cost ¥229,800. The computers will be available exclusively through Sony's build-to-order sales channel in Japan (Sony currently has no plans to offer them in other countries). The computer isn't Sony's first with a flash drive. That distinction goes to the Vaio UX90, a handheld ultra portable that was launched last July with a 16GB flash drive.

News source: InfoWorld

(1 reply) #1 neufuse on 10 Apr 2007 - 15:35

well at least people are starting to sell systems with them... maybe the price will start to fall some now... but still worried about the life of them... how well do they hold up agains normal flash drives? do they still die after so many writes per block?

#1.1 ahhell on 10 Apr 2007 - 15:46

Those drives use a different type of flash technology. Do some Google searches for SSD drives.

(7 replies) #2 +kraized on 10 Apr 2007 - 15:55

Quote -

Replacing the hard disk drive with a flash drive will lighten the machine by 39 grams.

Is that all??? A measley 39 grams.

#2.1 thejessman on 10 Apr 2007 - 16:16

Quote - (kraized said @ #2)

That's nearly 2 1/2 pounds. That's pretty good, actually. I'm sure the notebook will be incredibly light compared to others.

#2.2 markjensen on 10 Apr 2007 - 16:29

Quote - (thejessman said @ #2.1)

39 grams is nowhere near 2 pounds! That is less than 1 1/2 oz.

#2.3 timdafweak on 10 Apr 2007 - 16:42

Exactly 39 grams, they've GOT to be kidding.. what benefit is there then, using SSD drives? 565(?)$ for 39 grams less... someone's been smokin' something there!

#2.4 Pilsbury on 10 Apr 2007 - 18:30

Quote - (timdafweak said @ #2.3)

what benefit is there then, using SSD drives?

Battery life for one.

#2.5 Danrarbc on 10 Apr 2007 - 19:14

Durability for two.

#2.6 phiberoptik on 10 Apr 2007 - 22:17

Speed for three

#2.7 noPCtoday on 11 Apr 2007 - 00:49

Show-off for four.

#3 Huleboeren on 10 Apr 2007 - 16:23

Those notebooks are a trojan to force flash drives into our lives! :o

(2 replies) #4 Jeremy of Many on 10 Apr 2007 - 17:22

I'll take solid state storage over a spinning platter and a mechanical arm any day.

#4.1 Sartoris on 10 Apr 2007 - 19:21

Quote - (Jeremy of Many said @ #4)

Don't forget: *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK*
The click of death!

#4.2 K3vlar on 10 Apr 2007 - 20:17

Quote - (Jeremy of Many said @ #1)

No thanks, I'll stick with the platters! Furthermore, I-- *stumble* *drop* GAH! MY FILES ON MY OBSOLETE MECHANICAL HARD DRIVE!

#5 .Neo on 10 Apr 2007 - 20:55

For me the pros aren't worth the extra $545 and the loss of 8 GB storage capacity.

#6 Shane Pitman on 10 Apr 2007 - 22:07

The speed increases should be significant, especially as the technology evolves and improves.

(1 reply) #7 Glassed Silver on 10 Apr 2007 - 23:26

tbh 32GB is a joke... sure... there are peeps who dont need much, sure this is still a development thingy, but then again it would be way cheaper and not that much more unhandy to just make backups to DVD-RAMs or DVD±RWs

Glassed Silver:mac

#7.1 neufuse on 11 Apr 2007 - 12:46

Quote - (Glassed Silver said @ #7)

Less power consumption
No noise
no moving parts
less heat
faster access times
faster read speeds

to me that makes it worth a little more money then a standard HD, but this is still rediculous at this time price wise... give it a couple years

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