Sony has unveiled its first flash-based hard drive notebook, made from lightweight carbon fibre and weighing just 1.2kg, as an addition to the design-orientated TZ series.

The flagship model in the line-up, the TZ18, is the first notebook from the brand to incorporate a flash-based HDD, which allows for faster boot-up times and operating speeds, according to Sony. The notebook also runs incredibly quickly, has an increased battery life and has a sturdy chassis, which are all benefits of the flash-based design, says the company.

Both the TZ18 ($4,299) and the rest of the TZ series are “visually arresting,” with minimalist outers – the keyboard design was inspired by the submerged stones of a Japanese water garden, and the Motion Eye webcam is concealed in the screen surround making the notebook just 4.7mm thick when closed.

Also just launched is Sony’s second Blu-ray Disc notebook, the FZ18 ($3,999) , with a new generation Clear Bright High Colour LCD 90 screen, which is designed as a multimedia notebook, perfect for home use.

It boasts a 15.4-inch LCD screen, Bravia backlight technologies inspired by the brand’s flatscreen televisions, an HDMI output with HDCP meaning it can connect to any HD-ready television, and a 50GB hard drive for storing personal videos.