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Sony Electronics plans to use Transmeta's Crusoe processor in its next Vaio notebook, which is scheduled to be available in the U.S. in June.

The Vaio PCG-C1VP Picturebook runs on a 667-MHz Crusoe TM5600 processor. The unit is 1 inch thick, weighs 2.2 pounds, and can run for between 2.5 and 5.5 hours on the standard battery. With optional batteries, the notebook can run for up to 20 hours, the company says.

With Windows Me, the notebook will cost $2000; with Windows 2000, it will cost $2100, Sony says. Additional features include the quad-capacity battery, available for $400, and 64MB of additional memory for $200.

The Picturebook has a 15GB hard drive, 128MB of memory, and a MagicGate Memory Stick media slot, as well as an I.Link IEEE 1394 high-speed interface.

Slow Start, Still Popular

This is not Sony's first Crusoe-powered notebook. The company was the first to ship a notebook using the heralded low-power chip, but early tests showed it was not initially as long-lasting as alleged. Also, Sony was among several vendors that offered to replace Crusoe chips when some defective CPUs were discovered in early shipments.

However, Crusoe is clearly a favorite among notebook vendors and makers of Internet appliances. Sony introduced a line of Vaio notebooks that include entry-level units with multimedia functions.

Casio, Hitachi, NEC, and Fujitsu are among those shipping or planning Crusoe-powered notebooks.

For its newest Vaio, Sony also offers a promotional deal through wireless access provider GoAmerica Communications. Customers who sign up for a wireless plan can get a free wireless modem.

The notebook comes loaded with a suite of Sony's own multimedia-creation programs, including MovieMaker, PictureGear, and DVgate.

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