Darrell Proctor is a publishing industry veteran with more than 30 years' experience writing about business, technology and sports. He spent more than a decade at the St. Petersburg Times and later the Rocky Mountain News, where he authored the Mile High Tech blog and was noted for his reviews of consumer electronics and technology. Questions for Darrell? Drop him a line at techexaminer@gmail.com.

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Wells Fargo likely to unload Wachovia investment bank division

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Sony launches four VAIO models

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July 15, 9:18 AM

by Darrell Proctor, Business Examiner

Sony's VAIO series has a variety of models, including the 13.1-inch Z.

Sony late Monday gave details about its newest laptops: a 16.4-inch VAIO FW, 13.3-inch VAIO SR, 13.1-inch VAIO Z, and 15.4-inch VAIO BZ. (For a look at the VAIO series, click here.)

The FW's screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, with an eye toward playing HD content. There's an optional Blu-ray drive, and an HDMI-out to watch content on an HDTV if you want a larger screen.

The FW - despite its screen size - weighs a bit more than 6 pounds. That's in the same ballpark as Sony's FZ series (15.4-inch screen). The FW series is priced starting around $1,060.

The SR is a 4-pound unit with a backlit-LED display. It starts around $1,400.

For portability, the 13.1-inch Z series is best, weighing just more than 3 pounds. It also includes a Blu-ray drive and HDMI-out. It's expected to be available in August, starting around $1,800.

The BZ weighs just under 6 pounds. It's designed more for the business user, with hard drive shock protection, spill-resistant keyboard and a magnesium-alloy case. It has Intel's vPro management software.

The BZ is expected out later this month, starting around $1,000.

Topics: Notebook , Laptop , Sony , VAIO

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Wells Fargo likely to unload Wachovia investment bank division

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October 13, 10:38 AM

Wells Fargo's deal to acquire Wachovia is moving forward after the Federal Reserve gave its blessing, and analysts say San Francisco-based Wells Fargo is likely to sell - or at least cut back - the investment banking portion of the acquisition.A report... Read More
Topics: Business

IRAs, 401(k)s, small businesses - candidates talk about their plans

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October 12, 11:44 AM

The presidential candidates have been outlining different plans to deal with the current economic crisis. Friday, GOP nominee John McCain said the age-based rules on withdrawals from 401(k)s and IRAs should be suspended, so that those age 70 and older... Read More
Topics: Obama , McCain , elections 2008

GM, Chrysler discuss merger; what about Ford?

1 comment

October 11, 1:27 PM

The nation's automakers saw their stocks battered this week, and now sources say General Motors and Chrysler are talking about merging their companies - or GM might make an outright acquisition of Chrysler.The deal also would involve Cerberus Capital... Read More
Topics: Business

Managing your money with Mint.com

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October 11, 8:18 AM

Lots of folks are looking for ways to assess their financial situation as the Wall Street crisis deepens. Mint.com is a Web site that says it's "the best free way to manage your money." The site offers free personal finance software as a... Read More
Topics: Business

Market losses so far this year? Try $8.3 trillion

1 comment

October 10, 8:29 AM

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 700 points in early trading today, a selloff likely driven by computer-generated sell orders that kick in when certain stocks look like attractive buys.It quickly recovered - moving back above the 8,500... Read More
Topics: market

CanIVote.org among places to get voter registration information

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October 10, 7:23 AM

Reports of voters being purged from the roles in several states have led to charges from both sides that something is amiss with voter registration.But if you're someone concerned about whether you are in fact registered to vote, there are several... Read More
Topics: elections 2008

China could be the answer to economic woes

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October 9, 2:10 PM

The Dow began dropping like a stone today, and again came the calls: Who can save the economy?(Side note: The Business News Examiner says the U.S. economy needs a cheerleader. He's looking for suggestions - and he needs your help. Check out his article... Read More
Topics: Business , markets

Hot rocks - five metals that may be worth an investment

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October 9, 7:06 AM

A down stock market may be cause for some doldrums, but it also can bring opportunity.The key, of course, is knowing where to invest when things seem to be crumbling.Fortune magazine recently presented five "hot rocks" - minor metals that warrant... Read More
Topics: Business

Group says Wyoming is most 'business-friendly' state

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October 8, 3:01 PM

We probably won't see businesses packing up and moving to Wyoming, but the Tax Foundation says maybe they should.That state ranks No. 1 on the foundation's 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index, which "measures how well a state's tax system encourages... Read More
Topics: Business