Sony joined the netbook race on Monday with a new line of Vaio models. The move comes nearly a year after the Sony executive in charge of the Vaio line derided the diminutive computers as part of a damaging race to the bottom for computer manufacturers. Retailing for about $500, the Vaio W series isn't quite at the bottom of the netbook market, which floors out under $300.
Sony joined the netbook race on Monday with a new line of Vaio models. The move comes nearly a year after the Sony executive in charge of the Vaio line derided the diminutive computers as part of a damaging "race to the bottom" for computer manufacturers. Retailing for about $500, the Vaio W series isn't quite at the bottom of the netbook market, which floors out under $300. However, it's part of an inescapable trend in the industry, whether PC makers like it or not, said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at the NPD Group.