VAIO is the brand name for products falling under
Sony’s personal computer division. Originally it was known as Video Audio Integrated Operation before being shortened to VAIO. The name was created in order to distinguish between
Sony’s audio and video line and its computing products. The product line celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2008.
VAIO contains many unique and proprietary
Sony technologies. The most notable of these are XBRITE displays. Using a combination of anti-reflection coatings and a high efficiency lens sheet,
Sony claims the screen provides a brighter picture over conventional LCD designs. The
Sony VAIO TX series notebooks were also notable for being the first laptop computers to implement LED back-lighting for their displays. VAIO was also the first to offer a Blu-Ray DVD burner through the high-end AR series. The AW series actually carries an 18.4 inch 1080p screen all in a laptop form factor.
Sony VAIO products are known for their stylish design and cutting edge technology, but they have also been criticized for being overpriced. Certain design cues have notably been borrowed from Apple in recent products. The onboard software has also been a target for derision with claims that it is more bloatware than functional.
