Buzz is building around Apple's new MacBook Air release, which some have slotted to be released even this week. But Sony may give Apple a run for its money.

The Japanese consumer electronics maker rolled out the latest version of its Vaio Z notebook line, packing more processing powering and battery life, and revamping aesthetics.

Weighing little over a kilogram, the new VAIO Z Series notebook PC from Sony is created for mobile professionals who demand absolute performance and portability, Sony said.

The introduction marks the first major change to the Vaio Z line since it was introduced in 2008.

Unlike its predecessor, Sony opted to pull the advanced graphics hardware and the optical drive out of the laptop itself, and instead into an external unit, dubbed the Power Media Dock.

The result is a thinner standalone notebook, but an extra piece to carry if users need more power.

The use of exotic materials, like aluminum and carbon-fiber, coupled with its high entry price of $2000 puts the notebook within premium territory only occupied now by Samsung's Series 9 and the MacBook Air.

Apple is also preparing the update its MacBook Air, observers note, further focusing on thinning out the product and adding the latest hardware and software.

Apple will be releasing four new MacBook Air models. Including two 11 inch models and two 13 inch models, according to 9to5 Mac. It did not offer details on the hardware.

While Apple has remained tight-lipped, confirmed reports surrounding Apple's internal process indicates a change is coming soon.

Apple released the gold master of its PC operating system, Mac OS X Lion earlier this month, while also ramping up production of the new Macbook Air, a sign that a combination could be in store soon.

A gold master is computer parlance that indicates that no more changes will be made to the software, and that finished copy will enter of phases of production -- like licensing, documentation, and other post coding processes.

At the same time, Apple's MacBook Air, the ultramobile portable, is due for a refresh that industry analysts have already pegged for July.

Vaio Z pre-orders are being taken in the U.S., while European and Japanese consumers can already get the product via normal retail channels.