You can now get 3G Internet with your new expensive Sony Lifestyle P-Series PC netbook if you sign a contract with Verizon. No, you do not get the netbook free of charge à la mobile phone. 

See: Sony Vaio P on Verizon- $200 rebate

At long last the Sony netbook has seen the light of day. Like many, I will say that although it looks like a netbook, the Sony P-series Lifestyle PC is actually a really tiny but powerful laptop. Why? Well, this ultraportable computer has some amazing technology such as GPS, 3G and even runs Vista! The styling is also something really exceptional which is meant to appeal to people for whom style is a must. It’s also dubbed as the lightest 8″ portable and it’s said that it can be slipped into a jacket’s pocket. But all these goodies come with a catch.

The Sony Lifestyle netbook/notebook is pretty expensive at $900. Expensive compared to other netbooks of course but in my opinion, all the extra features and specs justify the price.

This Sony netbook should do really well and it has just started a trend towards high-end ultra powerful netbooks.

See: The Sony P-series Lifestyle PC: Just don’t call it a Netbook

Well it was a matter of time! After hating on netbooks for so many months, Sony has indicated that it will enter the mini laptop market according to the Manila Bulletin Online. 

It’s never too late. After seeing the netbook craze, Sony has smartned up and will be offering mini Vaios sometimes in early 2009. I wish that I could say that I never saw this coming but I can’t. The netbook movement is hard to ignore and it seems that those who chose to will be left behind and their sales and stock prices will be punished as a result.

Who‘s next? 

See: Sony unleashes new IT products, bares plan to enter netbook mart

For instance, we may talk about the Apple Mac Air which is not a netbook but pretty light, small and portable. It’s just the price tag that’s so different because it has some pretty advanced and powerful specs.

We have to highlight the Sony VAIO VGN-TT15GNR, a smooth and sexy ultraportable laptop. It could be dubbed a super netbook because of its price and power specs. It really looks cute and dangerous, a combo that men all over the world caveat. For more see: Sony VAIO VGNTT15GNR review

Now we wonder how Sony is going to make netbooks (see: A Sony Netbook After All?) and price them cheaper.

Remember the report that Sony was confused by netbooks and was not too keen (Sony Staying Put on the Netbook Craze)? Well, forget about it. It seems that it has something under its’ sleeves.

“The above image may or may not be a netbook-type computer from Sony. According to some mysterious FCC documents (which, conveniently, I can’t find anywhere) there are two separate model number” says CrunchGear. See the image in question at: Is this Sony’s upcoming netbook?

Update from jkOnTheRun: That Sony “netbook” might not exactly be a netbook

““The NetPC market is still at an early stage,” Nicolas Barendson, head of the VAIO Business Unit at Sony UK, told PC Retail. “Even if significant quantities are currently sold, many people are still confused about the real added value of such products, since a netbook isn’t really a PC, and does a lot of things a phone can do. We are careful looking at this market, but at this stage we have nothing to announce.” “ - Sony claims growing netbook market is ‘confusing

Sony is making a mistake not to jump into the netbook market. It can either chose to join in and offer products to consumers because although the market is uncertain, we’ll never know what will happen in the future. If it blows up, Sony will be a Johnny-Came-So-Late that it will be a laggard.

On the other hand, Sony could just chose not to get into that market and focus on more powerful laptops because that market is not going anywhere.

Standing still and watching what happens is pretty dangerous in my opinion. It’s like making a decision to cross a busy street. If you decide not to cross, stand clear off the road. If you decide to cross, make your sprint. Whatever you do, don’t stand in the middle of the street undecided!

Update: It now seems that Sony may have changed its mind (A Sony Netbook After All?)