Sony has unveiled its new 2013 Spring VAIO models. A featured new part of the line-up is an exciting model like nothing we’ve seen before – It is a hybrid PC / tablet. Literally, a PC that transforms from a PC to a tablet.

You don’t close this product the same way you do your regular laptop. Just slide the screen with Sony’s innovative “Surf Slider” and then it becomes a tablet. It slides smoothly and smartly and looks very sleek.

It’s a high-spec PC, upgradable to 8GB memory Windows 8 Pro 64bit with maximum 512GB SSD, full HD touch panel, backlit keyboard and 1920 x 1080 screen resolution.

And it’s a highly functional and versatile tablet.

A “digitizer” stylus pen is included that can be used on the screen both in PC mode and tablet mode. The stylus continues to make its comeback to digital devices after a hiatus of several years and it looks like its functionality is well beyond where it was in simple palm-held calendar planners. Write down your ideas, take notes, sketch some diagrams, then type out these ideas.

We’ll wait to hear feedback from users about how well the stylus functionality works in the PC and tablet setting.

The basic model is the SVD11229CJB in Japan and SVD11213CXB in the US. In Japan, specs can be modified up or down with the SVD1122AJ model. In the US, a more powerful version is available with the SVD11215CXB model (differences shown below).

Specifications for basic model:

• CPU: 3rd gen Intel Core i5-3317U (1.70/2.60GHz) dual core
  (SVD11215CXB: 3rd gen Intel Core i7-3517U (1.90/3.00GHz) dual core
• Operating System: Windows 8 64-bit
• Screen Size: 11.6 in.
• Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery: Up to 4 hours, 55 minutes
• Weight: 1.305 kg (2.87 lbs)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 shared
• Hard Drive / Solid State Drive: 128GB (128GB x 1) SSD
  (SVD11215CXB: 256GB (256GB x 1) SSD
• Memory: 6GB
  (SVD11215CXB: 8GB)
• HD Webcam: Yes
• Backlit Keyboard: Yes