Sony Laptops to get 120 Hz 3D Screens by Christmas

When we were in Japan interviewing the team developing display technology at Sony's laptop research unit, we wanted to know when we'd see laptops with 120 Hz screens capable of showing 3D images.

Aoki Makoto, the engineer we were speaking to, answered our question by asking us another: why did we want to see screens like this on laptops?

Our answer was that, short of using non-TN panels, or improving the response times, at least a 120 Hz refresh rate will do a lot to combat ghosting, which is a real problem on the majority of laptops.  And we like gaming in 3D too of course!

He gave us some good news: Sony is working on a laptop like this, and should release it in October.  An official announcement will follow later.

Already available: the Asus G51J 3D comes with Nvidia 3D Vision

So the first piece of good news is that Sony is working on at least one laptop with a 120 Hz screen, which will suit gamers, but they're not the only ones.  Several 3D still cameras are on their way, too.  There's already the Fujifilm FinePix W1, and we've already seen more exciting developments elsewhere too.  That means that Sony's laptop probably won't be billed exclusively as a gaming machine, and it could well be part of the F Series, which was primarily aimed at professional photographers and filmmakers.

But if Sony's first 3D laptop will only arrive Christmas, then it's already a few months behind its competitor Asus.  The Asus G51J 3D has been around since the end of last year, and was the first laptop to feature Nvidia's 3D Vision technology.  We tested it just last week, and found that it offered a pretty convincing 3D experience despite the size of the screen.  Hopefully Sony's next laptop will do even better.  After all, a little competition is always healthy.

3D might also start appearing on laptops elsewhere.  Acer has already spoken about making 3D laptops, and its Acer GD245HQ is currently the best 3D monitor on the market.  Samsung hasn't said anything yet, but as it was the first back 3D on a regular monitor with the Samsung 2233rz, then we wouldn't be surprised to see it making the switch to televisions.

With growing sales of 3D TVs, 2010 could well be the year that 120 Hz 3D displays make their way into laptops too.  We hope so anyway!

> Interview: Sony R + D: where next for screens on laptops?

> Test: Asus G51J 3D

> Product Survey: Laptops

> Buyer's Guide: Laptops


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