Sony announces 11.1" VAIO X ultraportable: Intel Atom, 1.5 lbs.

Sony just announced the VAIO X at IFA 2009 in Berlin, Germany, a half-inch thin, 11.1-inch ultraportable notebook with an all-day battery that "will set the new standard for stamina," reports Engadget.

The system is reportedly built of carbon fiber, weighing only 1.5 lbs.

The VAIO X has an Atom processor, which probably aids the battery life considerably. Also begs the question: netbook or notebook? (Does Atom define "netbook"? Screen size? If it runs Windows 7 well, does anyone care?)

UPDATE: It will have built-in 3G support, CNET's Erica Ogg writes live from Berlin. Yep, netbook.

Price? If the Sony P-Series Lifestyle notebook is any indication, this baby will easily run four digits.

(But hey, at least it will come with Google's Chrome browser preinstalled.)

Still, with such form factor innovation, Sony's showing that it's got a lot of mojo -- the kind normally attributed to a company based in Cupertino, Calif.

It also shows the company believes in netbooks -- having also introduced the $499 10.1-inch W Series just two months ago.