With the Windows 8 release date drawing closer by the day, there has been a flurry of new systems optimized for Microsoft's upcoming operating system. This is certainly the case with Sony, which today has unveiled a slew of new ultrabooks bearing its signature Vaio insignia.
While most of the attention will undoubtedly - and understandably - be focused on the Vaio Duo 11 Ultrabook for its innovative hybrid form-factor, the new class of Vaio systems feature updated specs and, in some cases, touch-enabled displays, all geared towards making the Windows 8 user experience as seamless as possible while maintaining the dimensions of a traditional ultrabook.
We'll start with the new T Series ultrabooks, which, despite being slightly thicker than their predecessors, still maintain attractively svelte profiles. Both rock an ultra-smooth brushed aluminum silver finish. The T13 will sport a touch-enabled, flush-mounted flat display. The T14, meanwhile, is the first 14-inch addition to Sony's T Series, and although it won't have a touch screen, it will feature the same port connectivity options as the T13 as well as a built-in Blu-ray player and DVD-burner combo. The T14 will start at approximately $669.99, whereas the T13 with touch will start at $799.99.
Next in the lineup are the new E Series laptops. The E14P features a touch screen, whereas the E17 is a casual gamer-friendly 17-inch system with a maximum resolution of 1,920 by 1,080. The E Series will also be available in 11-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch variants, with the latter two featuring backlit keyboards as well as Intel Core processors and discrete AMD Radeon graphics. The non-touch E Series 11, 14, and 15 will start at approximately $449.99, and the 17-inch model will start at $729.99. The E14P, meanwhile, will start at approximately $689.99.
The new Vaio S Series laptops, on the other hand, won't be sporting any touch-enabled displays. They'll be constructed out of a mixture of materials ranging from magnesium, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The S Series laptops will be available in a standard and premium 13.3-inch size as well as a 15.5-inch model, with the former available in a new Burgundy Red color. The S Series 13-inch will start at approximately $799.99, and its Premium counterpart will start at approximately $1,199.99. The S Series 15-inch, on the other hand, will start at approximately $849.99.
Be sure to check back on PCMag.com soon for full reviews of both these new Sony Vaio systems. In the meantime, check out the slideshow above for a better glimpse.