Engadget has reviewed the new Vaio P but felt some of the sticking points from previous models remain. This includes its high price tag ($800) , low battery life (4 hours) and sluggish performance. The accelerometer was praised and the keyboard was comfortable enough to actually type out the whole review!

For those wondering what’s beneath the chassis, then PC User has some extensive teardown pictures of the Vaio P11S1E. Inside you’ll find the usual bits and a Mini PCI-E that could be used for 3G.

In terms of specs, the Vaio P will still be powered by a Silverthorne processor. Specifically the 1.86GHz Intel Z540 Atom is mentioned for Europe along with 2GB RAM, 54GB SSD and Windows 7 Premium. You’ll also get Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and two USB ports.

Other features include a built-in GPS, digital compass and accelerometer. The latter means that you’ll be able to ‘flick’ through pictures or pages of a document simply by giving the Vaio P a “gentle shake”. The screen will also auto-rotate when looking to read documents in portrait mode.

The Vaio P will also be the first portable to bring PS3 Remote Play to it. As long as you own a PS3 and are running v3.30 firmware you can access PS3 content and recorded programs onto your Vaio P.

Battery life is expected to last for 5 hours, although if you use the extended battery (BPL23) than that will double runtime. The new Sony Vaio P will be available in five vibrant colours (black, white, pink, green and orange) and is expected to launch in June. No European/US prices have been announced today.

Update: UK pricing has been announced. The base configuration will set you back an eye-popping £799. The top model will cost £1,049.

Sony VAIO P11S1E Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Intel® Atom Z540
• OS: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (32-bit)
• Memory: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
• SSD: 64GB SSD Flash Drive
• Screen: 20cm (8”) VAIO Display Plus (1600×768)
• Graphics: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 500
• Colours: Orange, Green, Pink, Black or White
• Weight: 0.632kg (with supplied battery)
• Dimensions: 120 x 19.8 x 245 mm (D x H x W)
• Battery life: Up to 5 hours (MobileMark 2007) / Up to 10 hours with extended battery (BPL23, sold separately)
• Others: Accelerometer; GPS and Digital Compass; WLAN 802.11b/g/n; Everywair 3G up to 7.2 Mbps; Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; stereo speakers and microphone; MOTION EYE® camera; 2xUSB; Quick WEB Access, Assist, Change Resolution buttons

Other configurations include the base model (1.33GHz Atom, 2GB RAM, 80GB HDD) for $850, whilst another model with a 1.6GHz Atom and 64GB SSD will cost $1,000. These models will appear by the end of this month.

Checking the UK site, it appears that they may be offering something similar soon. The SonyStyle product page for the Vaio P only lists one model, but goes on to say that “this product is no longer available”.

Via Electronista.

Three new Sony Vaio P configurations have popped up onto the Sony UK site, with the top-end model (VGN-P39VL/Q) sporting a 2.0GHz Z550 Atom processor, 128GB SSD and Windows 7 Professional.

The other two (VGN-P31ZK/R & VGN-P31ZK/Q) models come with a 1.86Ghz Z540 Atom CPU, 80GB SSD and Windows 7 Home Premium. Pricing hasn’t been revealed, but hopefully we’ll find out close to the launch of Windows 7.

Via Engadget.

The confidentiality agreement expires in October, highlighting a possible release in the fourth quarter. We recently heard of a ‘Mark II’ release that is on the horizon, it’s unknown whether this is one and the same device. If there’s been no news up until that point, all the detailed specifications should be out of the bag by then. Check out a screengrab of the evidence after the break.

Via Sony Insider [via Engadget].

Details on the new Vaio P ‘not-a-netbook’ are scarce right now, although we do know that boot times should be significantly improved. The Mark II is likely to run Windows 7, rather than Vista, which should improve responsiveness. We may even see it sport the new Pineview Atom processor that is due in the fourth quarter this year. We’ll bring you more details as we get them.

Among this collection includes a new limited edition ‘glossy black’ Vaio P (P699E/Q). This particular version includes a 1.86GHz Atom CPU and a whopping 256GB solid-disk drive. As you can imagine this tech doesn’t come cheap, with Sony’s asking price at $1999.99. It’s only limited to 1,000 units if that makes you feel a bit better about how exclusive this is. Somehow I can’t convince myself that these 1000 units will shift that fast, but I’ve been surprised before!

Via Engadget.

However, whilst Japanese Vaio P owners can now get Windows XP, this version is still stick with Vista Home, which is likely to mean it still feels a bit sluggish. Sony has sweetened the deal by adding a 128GB SSD as well as GPS and a Verizon WWAN module. It’s certainly not cheap though at $1,500. It’s available for pre-order now, and will begin shipping around June 26th.

Intel along with UQ Communications is promoting the widespread deployment of WiMAX Services in Japan. UQ is committed to cover 90 percent of Japan with its WiMAX service by 2012 and sees the official UQ WiMAX launch on 1st July. As a result of this, several WiMAX-enabled netbooks and notebooks have been announced in Japan.

Onkyo has also announced a WiMAX variant of its recently released C204 netbook called the C204A5. Once again apart from a WiMAX module, the specs remain unchanged. This 10.1-inch netbook is powered by a 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU, 1GB RAM and comes with a 32GB SSD. The C204A5 will be available from July. A version of the Sony Vaio P with WiMAX has also been announced.

Finally, we have two WiMAX netbooks from Clevo, the M815L and the M811L. Both appear to be quite thick and have a boxed shape with square edges, it has been designed to look like a book. The M811L comes with two USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader, VGA, a pair of audio jacks, Ethernet and a Kensington lock. It is powered by the usual 1.6GHz N270 Atom CPU + 945GSE chipset combo. It also comes with 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD. No pricing or availability has been announced at this time. Check out a hands-on video of the Clevo M811L below.

Via Portable Monkey and Akhibara News.

Sony also has a number of hardware options for this SKU including the latest 2.0GHz Z550 Atom CPU as well as the option of a 256GB SSD. A number of snazzy colours are also being offered including Garnet Red, Crystal White, and Peridot Green, and Pyrite Gold. Some of these colours have a laser pattern etched into the lid. The new Vaio P will be offered in Japan only (for now) from June 6th.

Via Akihabara News.