UPDATED: Sony VAIO BZ series professional notebooks launch 15.4-inchers for business folk

15 July 2008 10:26 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Sony has announced a new series of professional PCs - the VAIO BZ series notebooks that are "built for business".

With a durable casing and G-Shock protection, the series gets a spill-resistant keyboard, offers a 15.4-inch widescreen display and full-size keyboard and weighs in at "less than six pounds".

Powered by new Intel Centrino 2 technology, select models come with Intel vPro technology that enables IT managers to fix PC-related problems remotely.

There's integrated 802.11n LAN technology, a biometric fingerprint sensor, Memory Stick media/SD card slot, three USB ports, i.LINK IEEE-1394 port, microphone and headphone jack and a PC Card slot.

Pre-installed with Windows Vista Business operating system, a Windows XP Pro "downgrade" is also included for "easy integration into existing platforms".

The VAIO Professional BZ Series notebook line will be available, later this month in the States, starting at about $1000.

UPDATE: We now have the UK prices too.

The 2GB model will be priced around £649 +VAT, the 3GB model £749 +VAT and last up, £849 +VAT for the 4GB launch.