Sony explains why the Vaio P isn't a netbook

With its Atom CPU and small form, Sony's Vaio P looks like a netbook. But Sony doesn't call it a netbook: a PR staffer at the unveiling growled (good-naturedly!) and rolled her eyes when we made jokes about it. Today at Sony's Electronics blog, it lays out its rationale for avoiding this popular term.

The keyboard, it says, is closer to a larger notebook size than "most" netbooks. The 1600x768 display has a higher resolution than you'll find on a "typical" netbook. It has a cooler version of Intel's Atom processor, allowing a fanless chassis. It has bluetooth and 3G. It has GPS. It has a fast-booting Linux mode. You can get it with large-size solid state drives. And, yes, it's $900, a third more expensive than the higher-end netbooks.

Note those scare quotes. The fatter Eees, for example, have nearly full-size keyboards, and HP's Mini 2000 series has 768-line displays, though they aren't as wide as that on the P. The "wireless capabilities" claim doesn't withstand scrutiny, either: many netbooks now have 3G options alongside bluetooth and WiFi.

No other netbook has GPS, however, and while Asus and LG have Splashtop instant-on models in development, they're not out. Massive, fast SSDs are available to netbook owners, but only on the aftermarket, and at similar expense to those offered by Sony.

Sony's explanation, however, is unnecessary. The real reason the Vaio P isn't a netbook is because it's sexier than netbooks.

You Can't Tell a Netbook by its Cover [Sony electronics blog]

[#1 posted by owza , January 21, 2009 6:11 AM]

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

[#2 posted by MrWeeble , January 21, 2009 6:55 AM]

Well of course it isn't a netbook, it isn't made by Psion

[#3 posted by Rajio , January 21, 2009 7:30 AM]

Why would they rather be the crappiest notebook instead of being the most luxurious netbook?

[#4 posted by Tensegrity , January 21, 2009 8:55 AM]

I agree with Sony. IMO, $900 places it out of the netbook category.

[#5 posted by salsaman , January 21, 2009 12:17 PM]

Netbook is a form factor, not a limited spec-- Sony doesn't get it, but it doesn't particularly matter to anybody looking to buy one. Sony protests in a blog post and gets coverage like this; seems like they're milking the media nicely. [BTW, why no links in the post? Hypertext is fun!]

[#6 posted by owza , January 22, 2009 1:24 AM]

@4 It doesn't place it out of the netbook category, it's an very expensive netbook.

Corporations are trying to drive the price of netbooks up, whereas joe public wants to drive the price of netbooks down...