Sony makes eco-friendly mini laptop

(AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck)

Sony unveiled a mini notebook computer aimed at the hearts of environmentalists.

Vaio W Series notebooks have chassis made of plastic consisting of about 20 percent recycled compact disks and will be shipped in a "stylish reusable" carrying cases made from recycled plastic bottles.

"The W series is so green it doesn't have a printed manual," Sony president Stan Glasgow said while unveiling the line at the Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas.

"Sony is out to lower the power consumption of products and greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities."

Vaio W series machines were billed by Sony as ideal "secondary" personal computers for light tasks, Internet browsing, and online social networking.

The notebooks have high-definition, 10.1-inch screens and hard drives with 250 gigabytes of storage. Vaio W notebooks come in "sugar white" but the interiors are, naturally, green.

Vaio W notebooks were available for pre-order online Thursday at sony.com/pr/wseries at prices starting at 450 dollars (US).