Sony announced on Tuesday that the company’s line of budget-friendly VAIO Fit laptops will offer higher-resolution LED backlit screens and aluminum-body construction starting at $649.

Sony VAIO Fit
Sony chose to have the Bravia television team develop the new Fit line with “color enhancement technology” and optional touchscreens. Sony

"We built the brand-new VAIO Fit line from many of the same features as our amazingly thin and powerful ultra-premium models but at an entry-level price point," Pedro LaFargo, SVP of Sony's VAIO and networked products division, said in a company press release. "Our entire new Fit lineup is optimized for Windows 8 and incorporates the best technology that only Sony can provide from our innovative digital imaging, sound and TV divisions. The new Fit family is providing students and professionals' on the go with advanced performance and design."

Available in two options, the VAIO Fit models will include hybrid- and solid-state-drive options, third-generation Intel Core processors, discrete graphics by Nvidia with up to 2 GB of VRAM and resolutions of 1600 x 900 in a 14-inch display, as well as a 15-inch option with 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Representatives from Sony told the Verge that the Tokyo company has “killed” the oft-maligned 1366 x 768 resolution. A resolution of 1366 x 768 is often hated by consumers for having poor viewing angles, color contrast ratios and black levels.

Instead, Sony chose to have the Bravia television team develop the new VAIO Fit line with “color enhancement technology” and optional touchscreens to utilize the features available in Windows 8, which is included.

The 15-inch VAIO Fit even includes an integrated number pad, while both models have larger touchpads, as well as Sony’s exclusive Rapid Wake technology to instantly resume from sleep mode. The low-price laptops will also include high-value specifications such as near field communication technology and Bluetooth.

The models will be available mid-May, according to Sony, and will come in steel black, steel pink and steel silver. All VAIO Fit computers will start selling at $649.

Sony VAIO Fit
The aluminum-body Sony VAIO Fit laptops will be available in steel black, steel pink and steel silver. Sony
Sony VAIO Fit
Sony VAIO Fit models will have larger touchpads, as well as Sony’s exclusive Rapid Wake technology to instantly resume from sleep mode. Sony
Sony VAIO Fit
Sony VAIO Fit models will come in 14-inch, shown, and 15-inch and will be available later this month. Sony
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