Sony has launched it calls ‘a new class of portable’ – a laptop with an 18-4-inch screen that can compete with pro-level desktop monitors. The VAIO AW series features a massive 18.4-inch screen with 3LED backlighting, which “is a technical breakthrough found on high-end BRAVIA LCD TVs,†according to Sony. The 3LED technology uses three separate LEDs – red, green, and blue – for pure color reproduction, similar to how three-chip video cameras work. The screen itself is capable of displaying true 1920×1080 HD. The internals also receive a major upgrade and switch to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, a GeForce 9600M GT for graphics, twin 250GB hard drives for storage and a minimum of 2GB of RAM. An 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter is standard, while optional storage can switch to dual 64GB solid-state drives in a RAID stripe when speed is more important than size.The AW-Series ships with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as well as Adobe Photoshop Elements, providing users with some of the very best photo-editing software tools available. Sony original software including Image Data Converter, Picture Motion Browser and a setting plug-in for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom to further enhance the appeal to serious photographers. The huge Full HD display offers true 16:9 widescreen, with Dolby Home Theatre audio signal processing and 2.1 channel speakers complete the mini-cinema effect, with enhanced bass from the integrated sub-woofer as well as immersive surround sound. This loaded laptop is set to ship in Japan on September 20th for about $2,792 for the standard version and $2,978 for the LED-backlit version. No word on a U.S. release yet, but it will likely be toned down a bit and more affordable once it comes stateside.
