NetbookShow

The second generation of the Sony VAIO P  min-laptop is now available for pre-order in the United States.

There’s one configuration offered, the VAIO P VPC-P113KX, which features an 8-inch 1600×768 LED-backlit display, the Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 128GB solid state drive, up to 4.5 hours of battery life, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, built-in Verizon Wireless mobile broadband, and GPS.

Sony’s ultraportable weighs 1.3 pounds and comes in green, pink, white, black, or orange color.

The Sony VAIO P VPC-P113KX is available for pre-order via the SonyStyle website for $900, with delivery expected by June 25th.

Want to make your mini-laptop look more like a handbag, wallet, or… a crocodile? Sony is now offering the Sony Vaio P in Japan with a cocodile skin design.

The device comes with an Intel Atom Z560 processor, 256GB solid state disk, and built in GPS, among other features. In other words, this particular Vaio P doesn’t come cheap. There’s also an optional extended battery which should provide up to 12.5 hours of run time.

The Vaio P has an 8 inch, 1600 x 768 pixel display, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, and runs Windows 7 Home Premium. It also comes with Sony Remote Play software that lets you watch videos stored on your Playstation3 and even play some games.

Well, we did have some strong evidence to suggest that Sony was planning a design update to its VAIO P Series, but there happens to be a lot more than fresh aesthetics going on with the new 8-inch lappie. Sure, it gets a new matte lid that’s available in five different shades, but Sony has also updated the 1.3-pound P Series with an optical touchpad and accelerometer. The former is built into the LCD bezel and, as the picture above shows, is all about navigating the desktop by just holding the screen – the pad is on the right bezel while the right / left mouse buttons are on the left. The accelerometer is probably the most interesting addition – you can flip the device vertically to read documents, but also tilt it to the left or right to move forward or backward while surfing the web. Pretty cool stuff, and there’s even more: it’s been given a faster Intel Atom Z560 processor option, though the entry-level unit has a slightly-slower Z530 CPU. Still waiting for US pricing to see if Sony can tempt us with its notoriously expensive VAIO P when it begins shipping in June.

Tired of netbooks that have too much space around the keyboards? The Aoson R169 from China’s Shenzhen Anson doesn’t have that problem. The netbook’s case is barely any bigger than the keyboard, providing just enough room for two touchpad buttons below the spacebar. Instead of a trackpad, there’s a Thinkpad-esque pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard.

The netbook is bound to draw comparisons to the Sony Vaio P thanks to the fact that it’s a bit longer than it is tall. But while the Sony Vaio P has an 8 inch, 1600 x 768 pixel display, the Aoson R169 has a more traditional 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display. It also packs a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1GB of RAM, 80GB hard drive, and optional 3G mobile broadband.

The Aoson R169 measures 10.4″ x 5.4″ x 0.9″ and weighs 1.8 pounds. No word on pricing or availability, but I don’t expect to see this model outside of China anytime soon.

Chinese PC maker Rui Iridium Star Digital’s latest netbook bears a superficial resemblance to a Sony Vaio P. But it looks like it’s a bit wider, with room for a larger keyboard. Still, instead of a typical touchpad, the netbook has a pointing nub in the middle of the keyboard which helps save some space.

While the Sony Vaio P has an Intel Atom Z5xx series processor and a high resolution 8 inch, 1600 x 768 display, this Chinese knockoff has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, GMA 950 graphics, and a 10 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display. In other words, aside from the lack of a touchpad, it’s prety much a typical netbook.

The machine has a 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and a 3 cell battery. It weighs 2.6 pounds, measures 11.3″ a 6″ x 1.2″ and probably won’t be available in the US anytime soon.