Phil

Here's an overview of all the models coming out this august. Since all information was scattered around I thought it would be useful to keep track of it here. Prices in euros translate approx. 1:1 in US$. That means that a Sony notebook that costs 1800 euros in Europe generally costs 1800-1900 dollars in the US. Official announcement will be the 15th of Juli.

Sony VAIO VGN-SR Series
A notebook with 13,3" LED backlit 1280*800 screen, options: ATI Mobility Radeon HD3470 GPU with 128 MB VRAM. (Will be available in different color schemes)


European models:
VGN-SR11M / P8400 3GB 250GB 13.3¨ VHP 1200€ (Intel graphics)
VGN-SR19XN / P8400 3GB 160GB 13.3¨ WVB 1350€ (Intel graphics)
VGN-SR19VN / P8400 4GB 200GB 13.3¨ WVB 1500€ (200GB 7200rpm, HD3470)
US models:
VAIO SR129EB P8400 2.26G 2GB 250GB DVDRW 13.3-WXGA BT CAM BLK $1,374
VGN-SR140ES
VGN-SR150FN
VGN-SR175N
VGN-SR190

Sony VAIO VGN-BZ Series
A 15,4" business notebook


European models:
VGN-BZ11MN C2D/P8400 2.26G 160GB 2GB 15.4" DVD+-RW VB VGNBZ11MN.NL3 986€
VGN-BZ11XN C2D/P8400-2.26G 200GB 3GB 15.4" DVD+-RW VB VGNBZ11XN.NL3 1152€
VGN-BZ11VN / P8600 4GB 200GB 15.4¨1270.65€
US models:
naming unknown yet, it seems like it will not be released in US.
________________________________________________________________________________

Sony VAIO VGN-FW Series
The Vaio FW is a 16,4" multimedia notebook with Bluray option, replacing the FZ. GPU option: Intel GMA 4700MHD, ATI HD3470 with 256mb, ATI HD3650 with 256 MB. Resolutions: 1600*900. HDMI output. Height 10.3 inches, Width 15.1 inches, Depth 1.5 inches, Weight 6.4 lbs. (Will be available in different colors. BTO configs in the US)


European models:
VGN-FW11E 16,4Zoll P8400 2,26GHz 250GB 3GB ATI Radeon HD3470 256MBDL DVD+-RW/RAM silber VistaHP 1050 EUR
VGN-FW11L 16,4Zoll P8400 2,26GHz 250GB 2GB ATI Radeon HD3470 256MB BD-ROM/DVD+-RW/+-R/DL/RAM silber VistaHP 1.100 EUR
VGN-FW11M 16,4Zoll P8400 2,26GHz 250GB 4GB ATI Radeon HD3470 256MB BD-ROM/DVD+-RW/+-R/DL/RAM silber VistaHP 1250 EUR
VGN-FW11J 16,4Zoll P8400 2,26GHz 250GB 4GB ATI Radeon HD3650 256MB BD-Rom/DVD+-RW/+-R DL/RAM silber VistaHP 1.400 EUR
VGN-FW11S 16,4Zoll P8400 2,26GHz 300GB 4GB BT ATI HD3470 256MB BD-R/-RE/-ROM/DVD+-/RW/+-R/DL/RAM silber VistaHP 1.500 EUR
VGN-FW11ZU 16,4Zoll P9400 2,53GHz 300GB 4GB ATI HD3650 256MB BD-R/-RE/-ROM/DVD+-/RW/+-R/DL/RAM silber VistaU 1.700 EUR
US models:
VGN FW139EH P8400 2.26G 3GB 250GB DVDRW 16.4-XBRT WVHP GREY $1,135.97
VGN FW139NW P8400 2.26G 3GB 250GB DVDRW 16.4-XBRT WVB SP1 WHITE $1,184.97
VGN-FW145E/W (2.26GHz PC Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, 3GB, RAM, 320GB)
VGN-FW140E/H (2.26GHz PC Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, 3GB RAM, 250GB)
VGN-FW150E/W (2.26GHz PC Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, 4GB RAM, 250GB )
VGN-FW160E/H (2.26GHz PC Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 , 4GB RAM, 250GB Blu-Ray Disc)
VGN-FW190E
VGN-FW190N
VGN-FW198U/H 2.53GHz P9400, 4GB, 320GB, Blu-Ray, $2,149.99

Sony Vaio VGN-Z series
An 'ultra portable' notebook with 13,1" LED screen in 16:9 aspect (1366x768 and 1600*900), Nvidia GPU with HDMI. From the pictures it can be seen it has a similar look as the current TZ series.


European models:
VGN-Z11MN / P8400 4GB 200GB 13.1" WVB 1766.39€
VGN-Z11VN
VGN-Z11WN / P8600 4GB 250GB 13.1" WVB 2276.71€
US models:
VGN-Z520N/B
VGN-Z530N/B
VGN-Z550N/B
VGN-Z570N/B
VGN-Z575FN
VGN-Z591U/B

Sony Vaio VGN-TZ, CR, AR series
Update expected fall/winter.

Official announcements event 15th of Juli http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/gb/en/vaio10/

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this list. If you have any updated information please post here and I will update this message.

Notes:
-the prices and specs seem to vary from website to website so take these as an indication.
-this post will be updated whenever new information is found.

Pictures from manuals, the first two on the left are SR, then two FW, last one on the right and one on the bottom is Z series. Manuals can be found on page 6 of this thread.

InfyMcGirk

Thanks for this. Do you think this means that any TZ series update/replacement will be post-September?

I'm currently agonizing over whether to get a current model TZ or wait for a (?Montevina) new version later in the year...

vaiofreak

As far as TZ, if...there will be a replacement than it will happen in fall, but again it could be a mere CPU and other specs update.

Rahul

Yes, the regular Montevina processors and chipsets are launching in July, whereas the SFF (small form factor) Montevina processors and chipsets are not launching until September.

So the Montevina ultraportables will have to wait until Fall.

Redline

The SR is the most interesting to me. I think the SR is the more conventional notebook, whereas the Z is really technologically advanced, and thus likely really expensive. Hopefully, the SR is as good as the old S series was back in the day. Speaking of which, I really want an S460.

Disappointing: they all look the same. I at least would think the Z would look different and edgier and such.

Phil

Well we have only seen outline drawings, we have not seen the real styling. Nixon kind of confirmed that the SR would have a more 'trendy' design. I would not be surprised if it looks a lot like a smaller version of the CR, complete with different color versions. One that's listed in Holland at the moment is in silver. The Z will be have similar styling as TZ.

As for prices, the prices listed in the startpost are pretty accurate i believe, in euros and US$.

InfyMcGirk

Maybe I'm just playing to my own impatience... but I'm coming around to the idea of getting a current-generation TZ, I think.

I really want a new laptop within a month or so of my birthday (beginning July) and definitely before I go on holiday in September.

I will be disappointed if I buy a laptop July 1st and the Montevina version comes out July 15th... but it seems more likely we'll be waiting until much later in the year for these to be available widely (I would want a model with UK keyboard, HSDPA WWAN, etc).

All this technology moves at such a pace that eventually you have to just take the plunge and watch as your shiny new toy gets made obsolete all too quickly... I'm well aware of that.

The plus side is that from what people have said, the current TZ models perfectly fit my requirements - I would see a performance jump from my current Pentium-M equipped Samsung X10 - and I think the only benefit I'd really gain from Montevina would be longer battery life...

So, is anyone going to talk me out of it? Am I being pragmatic or an impatient fool?

Phil

I'll try talking you out of it

If you wait for the Z series (VGN-Z11MN) you will get:
- 13,3" screen which is far more comfortable than a 11,1"
- a much much faster latest generation processor, instead of the ULV in TZ
- a much much faster harddrive, because you can fit in the latest generation 2,5" drives like the Hitachi 7K320.
- similar battery life

A TZ with vista can be slow, a Z series with Vista will be flying.

jlccarv

clean install of Vista on my TZ is anything but slow, even with the 4200rpm drive. but yes the Z is worth waiting for, even just for comparisons sake.

an ultraportable like the TZ at 1.2Kg, has my business anyday

RESmonkey

Is the 15.4" BZ European only, or are there US models, as well?