Can I stay connected on the go?
CNET editors' take
- Reviewed on: 08/30/2005
- Updated on: 11/24/2009
The new Sony VAIO BX series, which replaces the B series introduced just last year, includes a number of firsts for a Sony laptop. The business-focused models are the first Sony laptops to incorporate an SD card reader--a belated and inevitable concession for a company that until now has supported only its own proprietary Memory Stick flash format. The BX series also marks two new security features for Sony: biometrics and a Trusted Platform Module.
The VAIO BX series will consist of three models: the $1,300, 14-inch VGN-BX540; the 15.4-inch wide-screen VGN-BX560; and the 17-inch wide-screen VGN-BX570. The highly configurable new VAIOs offer a choice of current-generation Centrino processors, 5,400rpm hard drives in capacities reaching 120GB, and built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, all in a magnesium case.
Upside: Designed to appeal to business users and IT buyers, the BX series incorporates a Trusted Platform Module, a fingerprint sensor, and a password-protected hard drive for corporate-level security. Peripherals such as optical drives, extra hard drives, and docking stations can be shared by all models in the series. Optional features such as a built-in camera for videoconferencing and a cellular modem (identical to that found on the VAIO VGN-T350P) make it easy for frequent business travelers to stay in touch while on the road. In addition to support for two types of flash media (Memory Stick and SD), the BX series laptops have both a touch pad and a pointing stick, similar to ThinkPads.
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