Sony’s latest ultraportable PC

The new Vaio U71 is Sony’s newest entry into their U-series line of ‘handtop’ PC’s. The U71 is a second generation mini-tablet PC, coming complete with Windows XP Pro mounted on a 30GB hardrive.  It offers an Intel Pentium-M 1.1 GHz Dothan processor, 512 MB of memory, 802.11g, 10/100 Ethernet, a 40 watt-hour (optional) extended battery (offering over 4 hours of uage), USB 2.0 and Firewire as well as Memory Stick Pro and CompactFlash Type 2 slots.

Input onto it’s touch sensitive 5 inch 800 X 600 transflective touchscreen LCD is via the supplied stylus or 5-way directional Trackpad. However, Sony also offers an optional external USB keyboard as well.

All this in a 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.0 inch, 1.2 pound package!

Sony also sells a similar machine called the U50, which is identical except for certain operating specs and the operating software offered.

Unfortunately, short of importing through the gray market, these gems are not available in the North America or Europe—yet. Sites, such as iCube offer the U71 for $2399, including a one year parts/labor/tech support warranty. Whether this machine will ever see worldwide distribution is still in question, but at least we can be encouraged by Sony’s continuing development of such handtops. View the Sony (Japan) U71 URL here.