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Sony has unveiled its latest touchscreen ultrabooks, the VAIO Pro 11 and 13, which are both lighter than the MacBook Air.
The firm claims the new Pro models are the world’s lightest, with the 11.6-inch device weighing 870g and the 13.3-inch model weighing 1.06kg. Apple’s lightest MacBook Air comes in at 1.08kg.
With both Pro models measuring just 0.68-inches thick, the Windows 8 devices have a distinctive Hexa-shell design which is intended to provide additional durability.
The Pro 13 has up to 8 hours battery life, while the Pro 11 manages 11 hours. There’s also an optional sheet battery available that increased the Pro 13’s battery life to 18 hours the and Pro 11’s to an impressive 25 hours.
Other features include up to 512GB of SSD storage, 8GB DDR3 1600MHz SDRAM, Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, and Intel Core i7-4500U processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology.
The Pro ultrabooks weren’t the only VAIO devices announced by Sony at yesterday’s (June 5th) event in London.
The VAIO Fit was also on show. This notebook comes with either an Intel Core i7 or i5 processor and a 15.5-inch screen.
The device is also available in two other models, the 14E and the 15E. Both are aimed at music lovers and include larger speakers, with the 15E featuring a subwoofer.
Sony also unveiled its new hybrid device, the VAIO Duo 13. After taking on board some of the criticism of its 2012 offering, the Duo 11, the updated convertible features a clip to hold on to the stylus, a larger keyboard, a trackpad, and a 30 per cent larger screen.
Sony has managed to keep the Duo 13 the same size as the Duo 11, by cutting into the bezel to make up the extra screen space.
The battery life has been increased from five hours to 15 hours and the hinge has been redesigned to be more robust than the Duo 11’s. Sony was so keen to demonstrate the flexibility of the hinge that those attending the event were treated to a video showing the device being pulled about, twisted and even dropped on the floor.
The VAIO Fit/Fit 14E/Fit 15E, Duo 13 and Pro 11/13 are all available across Europe from June.
