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TOKYO -- Sony has unveiled a new lineup of its Vaio PCs carrying Microsoft Windows XP operating system at Vaio Forum 2001 here. The company is pursuing its strategy of making Vaio more entertaining and networkable with the inclusion of the operating system upgrade.

A total of 36 new models, 20 desktop PCs, and 16 notebook PCs, were announced. The models will go on sale from October through November in Japan. In addition, five Vaio-related peripherals will also roll out through December, the company announced. Specifications of the Vaio models vary in each region, but Vaio PCs loaded with Windows XP will roll out within this year in the rest of the world, and some models are already released in North America, the company said.

Prices range from $1070 for the bottom-of-the-range PCV-J21V5 desktop to $3700 for the PCV-RX73L6 desktop, Tomio Takizawa, a spokesperson for Sony.

Keiji Kimura, president of Mobile Network Company and corporate vice president of Sony, emphasized the importance of Bluetooth and IEEE802.11b wireless networking technologies in the current range. He also spoke of the potential of the faster IEEE802.11a wireless technology for home use in the future.

He also noted the compatibility of Windows XP as the operating system for Vaio PCs. The software natively supports Memory Stick, Sony's proprietary memory card format, Kimura said. The unit is also noteworthy for the IEEE1394 high-speed peripheral interface, which the company is promoting as the ILink interface in its products.

Wireless, Multimedia Focus

Sony and Microsoft are taking their products in similar directions, said Shinichi Ata, president of Microsoft Japan.

"For the last two years, we worked with Sony as a partner to develop Windows XP," he said. "When I met Mr. Kimura two years ago, he told me that he wants Vaio to be networked with visual and audio devices. We have the same concept on Windows XP."

Among the new systems, one of the most notable desktop models is the PCV-MXS1L5, an audio-oriented desktop PC that is equipped with a MiniDisc drive for recording and playing compressed digital music--the first time this has appeared in a Vaio model, Takizawa said.

One of the more remarkable notebooks is the PCG-SRX7, which features both Bluetooth and IEEE802.11b wireless connections.

"More users now want to use their PCs wirelessly, at home or even at places like Internet cafes where you can make a wireless connection to the Internet," Takizawa said.

The C1 series notebooks also feature Bluetooth wireless connections.

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