Our life long love affair with Sony continues this week, with the news that they are unveiling a new range of VAIO computers in an effort to integrate its consumer electronics, PC, and Media Empire into an orgy of supersexy products. Honey, I?m home.Sony's two new notebook computers, formally launched on Monday, mark a clear departure from its current line of PCs. One is a new VAIO laptop with a radically new translucent design that sets itself apart from the purple-gray VAIO PCs. The other blurs the line between digital handheld camcorders and mini PCs, and is designed specifically to record and broadcast video clips. It also uses a new type of processor.Previously, Sony had only released preliminary prototypes of the PCs, which will be sold in Japan from mid-November. "We've designed a new series of VAIO?s to better reflect customer preferences for design," said Keiko Iijima of Sony's marketing division for information technology products. The newly designed VAIO QR (PCG-QR1/BP) sheds the magnesium-gray outer shell seen on its conventional line of laptops and adopts a blue-black translucent plastic surface that is so dark it is almost opaque. And with a light gray aluminium pipe surrounding the outer edges

connecting into fold-out handle, it is reminiscent of Apple Computer's iBook laptop. The aim is the same - to make laptops a fashion statement as much as portable personal and business information tools.Inside, the VAIO QR is pretty much the same as its predecessors. It is equipped with a 13.3 inch (34 cm) flat-panel screen, CD-ROM, and the usual array of ports for peripherals. The new VAIO is expected to retail for around 200,000 yen ($1,856), the lower end of its price range for notebook PCs. No plans are in place yet for a wider choice of colours, Sony said.

Sales are to begin in the latter half of November.The VAIO GT (PCG-GT1), on the other hand, could be mistaken for a video camcorder, with a large video lens unit attached to its side. Both the video lens unit and the display can be rotated 180 degrees. Inside, the VAIO GT uses Transmeta Corp's Crusoe chip, which if you don?t know about go ask somebody and prepare for the words, "linux", "rox" and "future of device chips."The new lens-equipped laptop will have a battery life of up to 17 hours, depending on battery size and usage. The VAIO GT is expected to retail for around 300,000 yen ($2,784), and will come with software that will allow users to make live "personal broadcasts" through an Internet connection and a designated Web site. Hardcore.