TV Maker Vizio Launches First Laptops and All-in-One PCs

Vizio is a company known for its televisions and home entertainment products, but it’s now expanding into the laptop-and-desktop computer business.

After announcing it at CES 2012, Vizio officially debuted its new line of personal computers today, which includes two thin and light notebooks, a 15-inch laptop and a pair of all-in-one PCs. All will be available later this summer, with prices for each system starting at $898.

In a market that’s already crowded with competition from the likes of Apple, HP and Dell, Vizio is hoping that it can lure new customers by offering products that combine high performance and stylish design.

For those looking for something ultraportable, the company’s Thin + Light series can meet those needs. You can choose between a 14-inch or a 15.6-inch HD display; both models sport a slim aluminum unibody design.

Designed for use on the go, Vizio promises up to seven hours of battery life, and the inclusion of a solid-state drive should also help speed up boot times.

The Ultrabooks also have HDMI ports, so you can connect your laptop to a TV to view your content on a bigger screen.

However, for more of a multimediacentric laptop, there is the Vizio Notebook. It offers a 15.6-inch HD display and is slightly thicker than the Thin + Light models, but it also packs in a more powerful graphics processor.

Last but not least, there are the 24-inch and 27-inch all-in-one PCs. Each model has a 1080p HD display and comes with a wireless keyboard and touchpad with multi-touch support.

Surround sound audio is also onboard, as well as dual HDMI ports, so you can connect your cable box, Blu-ray player or gaming console and turn it into a mini entertainment hub.

All of Vizio’s laptops and all-in-one PCs feature Intel’s latest Ivy Bridge processors and ship with the Signature Edition of Windows 7, which means you won’t get any bloatware or unnecessary applications.

The computers will be sold at major retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club and Amazon.