Sony guns after MacBook with VAIO CR

Sony this morning launched a new, style-driven notebook designed to be faster and slimmer than its current models. The 14-inch VAIO CR focuses on design, beginning with the keyboard: similar to Apple's MacBook and the VAIO TZ unreleased for North America, the CR's individual keys lift through the casing rather than attach through a keyboard tray; the technique not only helps its appearance but also helps the typing feel and guards against spills. Lighting also plays a part, as LEDs underneath the silver trim pulse in time with key system events. Virtually every CR model will further ship in one of five colors to match individual tastes, Sony says.

Technology inside the notebook involves an instant media mode for playing music, DVDs, and videos without booting Windows, as well as a 1.3-megapixel webcam. Unlike the earlier VAIO C, the CR is based on Intel's Santa Rosa platform and includes 802.11n for wireless as well as better integrated GMA X3100 video. A base model at $1,350 includes a 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo, a full 2GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. More expensive models haven't been priced but will include as much as 200GB of hard drive storage and a fingerprint reader for logging in without a password.

Pre-orders for the CR begin today through Sony's online store, with both online and retail deliveries set to begin by the end of June. All colors should be available in retail except for black, which will sell through the company's online store.