After its acquisition by Lenovo and a not so hyped release of its Fit and Pro models, it looks like the Vaio PC brand is starting anew as it showcased its newest prototype a few days ago on its website.

The machine will be a 12.3-inch convertible with a detachable keyboard. The display resolution is 2560x1704 pixels with a 3:2 aspect ratio and supports pen-input. Under the hood there’s a new Intel Haswell quad-core processor with Iris graphics.

In terms of form factor, it looks like Vaio is coming after the Surface Pro’s design with a built-in kickstand at the back with a stylus and a separate keyboard. The company could also be targeting professional illustrators, photographers and designers as seen by how much performance they have tried to pack on the device and given the fact that the prototype was unveiled at Adobe’s Max conference.

If commercialized, the 12.3-inch prototype would likely cost around $1800 with first shipments to start by May of next year.

Connect with The Techie Lifestyle on your favorite social networking sites
     

Back in February of this year, Sony has decided to sell its Vaio brand to JIP (Japan Industrial Partners) which signals the entry of a new generation of Vaio products without Sony’s backing both in terms of R&D and branding.

Today, Vaio announced two new products (sort of) – the Vaio Fit and Pro in Tokyo, Japan. The two models are almost exactly the same in terms of specs and design to the models launched by Sony last year at Computex. According to the company’s CEO Takayuki Sekitor, they plan to uphold Vaio’s design principles that are centered on choices and focus.

At present, the company doesn’t plan to ship its products outside of Japan. According to Vaio, they are planning to ensure its success first in its homeland before venturing into other territories. Hopefully, future Vaio products will bring something new and different from what Sony has offered in the past.

Connect with The Techie Lifestyle on your favorite social networking sites
     

Sony today confirmed that it will be selling its PC business in order to focus on improving its smartphone and tablet arm as well as its TV and gaming product lines.

However, contrary to previous reports, Lenovo won’t be the one to buy the Vaio brand from Sony. Instead Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) will be taking over the tech giant’s PC manufacturing business once the deal is signed at the end of March.

In line with the sell-off, Sony will cease the designing and developing of PC products, while manufacturing and sales will wrap up after all of the company’s current Vaio products goes on sale globally.

In line with the deal, Sony will lay off 5000 jobs worldwide (around 1500 in Japan) by the end of fiscal year 2014, although JIP said that it will retain 250-300 employees in order to help out in the transition - specifically in terms of design, development manufacturing and sales.

JIP will also retain Sony Vaio’s headquarters in the Nagano prefecture. Moreover, the company has reassured all of Vaio’s existing customers for its continued support especially with regards to aftercare warranties.

Connect with The Techie Lifestyle on your favorite social networking sites
     

Sony’s gaming and TV departments may be doing exceptionally well these days, but its PC business will certainly beg to differ. In fact rumours are circulating that the Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer might be planning to sell its PC wing to no other than Lenovo for around $492 million.

The news is courtesy of Japanese news service Nikkei and Bloomberg who both reported the rumour on their websites. Bloomberg has even claimed that an announcement can come out as soon as tomorrow.

After numerous verification calls from different media companies, Sony has issued statements that said the company is considering all options for its PC business. And although it does say that it is discussing with Lenovo Group a possible establishment of a joint venture for PC production, it’s denying any plans to sell at the moment.

Connect with The Techie Lifestyle on your favorite social networking sites
     

The Sony Xperia Z1 may have all the attention right now, but Sony isn’t about to let its other products go unnoticed. The company has released a number of products at IFA including its newest line of Vaio computers and notebooks. Sony is going all out in bringing its technology across its different products such as its Triluminos display, Exmore senso, ClearAudio+ technology and X-reality picture engine.

VAIO Flip PC

The Vaio Flip PC is Sony’s answer to Microsoft’s Surface Pro. The Flip PC has the ability to switch to different viewing modes. It utilizes a unique second hinge, which allows the device’s display to flip to either tablet of notebook mode.

The Vaio Flip PC is available in 13, 14 and 15-inch models and is crafted from black and silver aluminium. All models pack a full-pitch backlit keyboard, a touch pad that supports Windows 8 gestures and a palm rest for comfortable typing.

It also comes equipped with the latest generation Intel Core processors up to Core i7, Solid State Drive for the 13-inch model and Hybrid Hard Drives for the 14-inch and 15-inch models and up to 2GB Nvidia Graphics.

VAIO Tap 11

Sony is also introducing the world’s thinnest Windows 8 tablet PC – the Vaio Tap 11. The device features an aluminium magnetic full pitch keyboard/cover with a touch pad. The keyboard uses magnets to easily attach to the display when not in use and provides a cover.

The Vaio Tap 11 is equipped with Intel’s Haswell processors up to Core i7 configuration coupled with solid state drives for powerful performance. It also sports an SD card reader, a USB 3.0 and micro HDMI port as well as Intel’s Wireless Display (WiDi), which allows users to stream the laptop’s content into a compatible HDTV.

Both the Vaio Tap 11 and the Flip PC features an 8MP rear-facing camera that sports the Exmor RS for PC image sensor and allows the devices to capture clear images.  Both models also feature an Active Pen for more accurate and natural writing experience, which also works hand in hand with other Vaio apps such as Vaio Paper and Vaio Clip.

VAIO Tap 21

Last but not the least, is the company’s new portable all-in-one PC the Vaio Tap 21. The successor of the Tap 20 is made from aluminium and is now 30% lighter. It comes with a number of touch optimized applications and will be available with either an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, which can be configured with either a solid state drive or a Hybrid hard drive.

The Tap 21 as the name implies, sports a 21.5-inch touch display that has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The screen is of the IPS nature and supports 10-point multi-touch.

The Vaio Tap 21 will retail for around $880, and will come pre-installed with Sony’s Imagination Studio Vaio Edition software as well as four Sony applications that include Movie Studio Platinum, Acid Music Studio and Sound forge Audio Studio Software.

Connect with The Techie Lifestyle on your favorite social networking sites