Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ40C1F Digital Studio desktop PC has the power and technology to become the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup--and it's one of the speediest PCs around. Featuring Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, you can watch live TV and record shows for playback when you want it--you even get a remote control. It also features a blazingly fast 3.2 GHz Hyper-Threaded Pentium 4 processor, huge 1 GB of installed RAM, combo DVD+/-RW/CD-RW drive, a bevy of external connectors (including USB 2.0 and FireWire), 120 GB hard drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 120 GB Ultra ATA 100 hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos, and MP3 collection.
• Processor: The 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system--see more in Tech Talk section below) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It has a front-side bus (FSB) speed of 800 MHz, 512 KB L2 cache, 680 MHz memory clock, and 380 MHz engine clock.
• Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (400 MHz, DDR SDRAM), which is definitely suited to this PC's high-performance video and audio capabilities. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: This desktop PC comes with two optical drives: a DVD-ROM and a combo DVD+/-RW/CD-RW (for writing data and video files from your camcorder to discs). The CD-RW drive has 16x write, 10x re-write, 32x read speeds, while the DVD drive has 4x write, 2.4x rewrite for DVD+RW discs and 4x write, 2x rewrite speeds for DVD-RW discs. The CD-ROM drive has a 16x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Sony Vaio keyboard and mouse (with PS/2 connector).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a wide range of connectivity options with the PCV-RZ40C1F (including a floppy disk drive), such as three PCI expansion slots (one available), one 8x AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 line-in jack

Preloaded System and Software
The PCV-RZ30GN2 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents) as well as a 60-day trial for Microsoft Office 2003. Other preloaded Sony software includes Click to DVD (DVD creation), PictureGear Studio (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), SonicStage (digital music), and Vaio Media (Network file sharing). Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD, MoodLogic 2.5 Trial, Intuit Quicken 2004 New User Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple QuickTime, RealNetworks RealOne Player, Norton Internet Security (90-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 7.75 x 15.4 x 15 (W x H x D) and weighs 30.8 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCV-RZ40C1F desktop PC, external speakers, remote control, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.

Tech Talk
Hyper-Threading: A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The BasicsAs one of the most affordable members of Sony's distinctly upscale "R" series of desktop computers, the VAIO VGC-RA826G Digital Studio PC brandishes many of the same features Sony incorporates into its pricier R models but falls just short of state-of-the-art and does not include a viewing screen. Thusly, the unit is ideal for those who want high-end computing without paying top dollar. Designed to efficiently handle virtually anything you can throw at it, the VAIO VGC-RA826G is a great fit as the hub of a business, personal, home office, entertainment or gaming environment. It even features an innovative liquid heat pipe cooling system to squelch excess heat and minimize noise.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. The VAIO VGC-RA826G incorporates one of the fastest CPUs currently in existence (at the time of this writing), an Intel Pentium 4 550. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version -- nicknamed "Prescott" -- of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at an astounding 3.4 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this CPU delivers more than enough power for any application or environment.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. For the VAIO VGC-RA826G, Sony has installed a whopping 1024 MB (1 GB) of fast PC3200 400 MHz DDR SDRAM memory. This is a ton of memory even for a high-end machine, and its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is easily sufficient for any multitasking situation or complex application. Moreover, the system's mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the mainboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures.

One of the problems with many high-end PCs is that they simply aren't equipped with a graphics card on par with the rest of the system. Not so with the VAIO VGC-RA826G, which features an ATI Radeon X600 XT with 256 MB of video memory. Not only will this card efficiently operate all your 2D and 3D apps (including the vast majority of demanding 3D games), but it also includes a television tuner and a 16x PCI Express Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder/Decoder to pause, rewind and replay live TV. Furthermore, Sony will package the system with a handy remote control to make TV and movie viewing even easier.

Display:
Sony has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The VAIO VGC-RA826G produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels. Sony will also enclose a 2.1 speaker system with two desktop satellites for clean middle and high frequencies and a subwoofer for added bass support.

Hard Drive
At 250 GB, the unit's internal hard drive is one of the largest on the market and thusly spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is exceptionally quick -- sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of CDs).

This unit features two optical drives -- a DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a DVD +/- RW Double Layer Multi-Format drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, this two-drive setup allows you to make extremely fast CD or DVD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you'll have lots of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Sony has also installed two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (often used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), an S/PDIF jack for crystal clear digital audio, two S-Video inputs for lossless digital video, a DVI monitor port for the highest quality flat-panel display images, and a memory card reader for reading today's most popular memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit Ethernet LAN interface for substantially faster network and Internet access than traditional 100Mbps and 10Mbps Ethernet, and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections

Operating System and Software
The VAIO VGC-RA826G features a software package that's clearly aimed at fans of multimedia. Headed by Microsoft's Windows Media Center Edition operating system and Microsoft's Works 8.0 productivity pack, the bundle also features Adobe Premier LE video editing suite, Adobe Photoshop Elements digital imaging utility, and a half dozen of Sony's own top notch audio, video and photo tools.

Control
Apart from the aforementioned remote control, the system includes a convenient VAIO Keyboard and a no hassle PS/2 optical mouse. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Along with its slightly less powerful sibling, the Vaio PCV-W10, Sony's stylish and inventive Vaio PCV-W20 represents a bright new look for desktop PCs. In contrast to the bulky multicomponent setup of traditional PCs, the Vaio PCV-W20 sports a sleek all-in-one, fold-open design that more closely resembles a notebook. Fashionable and futuristic, Sony's latest PC will appeal to those with limited space or an eye for the distinctive.

Driven by a 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor and 512 MB of fast PC-2100 DDR RAM (expandable to 1 GB), the Vaio PCV-W20 offers solid but unspectacular performance. The unit's graphics chipset, a 32 MB SiS650, will handle most common tasks but is not recommended for die-hard gamers or anyone who deals primarily with 3-D graphics.

The system is, however, ready to satisfy fans of multimedia entertainment. Included inside the Vaio PCV-W20 is a combination CD-R/CD-RW/DVD drive through which users can burn and play music compilations and enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Movie buffs in particular will appreciate the integrated 15.3-inch LCD viewing screen, especially for its DVD-friendly 16:9 wide aspect ratio. Music aficionados can store their MP3s on the large 60 GB hard drive and play CDs through the integrated stereo speakers even when the unit is closed.

Sony has enhanced the Vaio PCV-W20 with a variety of welcome amenities, including a V.90 data/fax modem for low-speed e-communication, a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet interface for high-speed LAN and Internet access, three lightning-quick USB 2.0 ports for the new breed of plug-and-play peripherals, a fast IEEE 1394 interface for outboard devices such as DV camcorders, and a hassle-free optical mouse. The keyboard is of particular interest as it quickly folds up and out of the way to keep your desk free of clutter.

Pre-installed software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition, Works 7.0, and Age of Empires II. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

ITS AWSOME
AWESOME GREAT COMPUTER. I'M ALMOST 9 BUT THIS IS MY SECOND COMPUTER AND IT WORKS WELL. AND LOOKS GREAT!

THE ONLY SMALL BAD THING IS THAT WHEN YOU PLAY COMPUTER GAMES IT DOES NOT HAVE A FULL SCREEN.

Well equipped, but lacking expandability for the super-geek
The PCV-W20 is one awesome integrated desktop. Sure it's pricey, but you get a lot of features plus Sony's award-winning styling. The widescreen 15.3" (measured diagonally) LCD is beautiful and has excellent contrast ratio. The CPU is actually 1.8Ghz, not 1.9 (which doesn't exist), but it's still fast. Sony apparently optimizes the system so it feels as speedy as a 2.4Ghz Dell Dimension 2350 or 4500.

Unlike most other one-piece PCs, this one has all the ports loaded: three USB 2.0 ports (but one already taken by the optical mouse), two 4-pin i.Link/IEEE 1394 ports, one line-in port for hooking up an audio input source (e.g., a portable CD player or MP3 player), two PC Card slots, and one Memory Stick slot. Modem and ethernet are built-in, so you can surf web either way you want. You also get a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, but no DVD burner.

The W-series is really designed for family users who don't need to tinker with the system, so the biggest downside for us geeks is that you can't expand the system easily. For example, you can't put in a bigger hard disk, although you can get an external USB 2 or IEEE 1394 hard disk, or use an IDE hard disk with an external enclosure kit (e.g., ADS Pyro). You also can't upgrade the graphics card, which means if you are into the latest 3D games, you are out of luck. And you can't put in an internal DVD burner; instead you'll need to get an expensive external one (usually at a one-hundrd dolr premium).

Specs aside, the W20 is a pleasure to use. The keyboard does suffer from Sony's annoying policy of doing away with the insert/home/delete/... keys, and the arrow keys are cramped with the main keyboard which makes them hard to use. But that's about the only gripe. As mentioned before the system is speedy, and Sony bundles the system with a generous offering of software titles. The user experience is very positive, so if you can afford it, this is a highly recommend system for your home.

My Family Loves It!
My wife and I were seeking a LCD-screen computer for my son's room. I introduced her to the Sony W-Series desktop - which is a big hit in Japan - and she was immediately impressed. She liked the clean lines and the keyboard which folded up to be even less obtrusive. The clincher for her, though, was the PC which was built into the back of the screen - which eliminated both the bulky tower on the floor -- and the messy cable cables streaming out of it.

The Sony W-series looks great. It doesn't clutter up my son's room which, heaven knows, is already cluttered enough as it is. He enjoys doing his homework - and playing computer games - on it. The sound from the built in speakers is excellent. And the wide-screen display is wonderful for watching DVD movies.

The computer comes with four USB and two FireWire connections. Since the mouse connects via USB, these ports fill up quickly. (I plan to use a compact Linksys USB hub when I run out.) The FireWire ports are also of the smaller four-pin variety. Since most of my FireWire devices use the six-pin plugs, I needed to purchase a six-to-four pin conversion cable from Belkin (who, like Amazon, has everything).

The W-Series also has a Memory Stick slot, which I use to transfer large files from my Sony Vaio desktop (which also has a reader), and amongst my home and office laptops, where I've installed Sony Memory Stick PCMCIA card adapters into all of them. The W-series also has a pair of LAN ports, which I don't use, and a PCMCIA card slot which I'll probably employ to add 802.11 b or Bluetooth capability later. For those of you (like me) who don't know how to open up the back of your desktop to add these features, being able to do so via a PC card slot is definitely a plus.

Since the keyboard is attached to the bottom of the screen, the LCD sits a little lower on the desk than a free-standing unit, which my son doesn't notice. It's much like using a laptop (which was our other alternative) - but with a desktop's easier-to-use keyboard and mouse! The mouse, incidentally, is of the optical variety, so tracking is extremely smooth and accurate. And the screen tilts down slightly, which is nice when I want to watch DVD movies - while sitting in an easy chair in front of it!

The Sony W-Series computer is a big hit. I can tell because my son enjoys using it; and my daughter (who is a few years younger) wants one too!

If space efficiency - and aesthetics - are important considerations for you (as they were for us), the Sony W-Series might be just the ticket. My family loves it! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The impressive MX is Sony's ambitious solution for the person who wants one system that does it all. Whether you want to watch and record TV shows, burn and listen to DVD and CDs, listen to FM radio, or edit digital images, the MX does it all, plus of course the typical things you'd do with your high-end computer.

Our first impression of the Sony MX was of how small it was considering everything it does. All its components came in a compact, approximately 2-by-2-foot box. Inside were smaller boxes that held the various cables, the keyboard, mouse, handy remote control, case, and the two speakers. The minitower case was an appealing shiny gray and light purple color, which matched the speakers and created an attractive system.

Within 10 minutes we had the basic computer set up. When we pushed the power button, the display on the front of the case glowed with a techie-looking green light, showing a marquee of the Sony Vaio brand. The computer comes loaded with Windows XP Home Edition, so we also had to perform the initial setup of that software, but from there we were ready to fully explore the MX.

One of its coolest features is a personal video recorder. Similar to other digital recording systems, this device stores television programs on the MX's hard drive. Just plug your TV into the back of the computer and you can start recording and watching TV shows. You can also download episode information from the Web, so you can plan your recordings. You can even transfer information from the personal video recorder to a DVD disc, or to a Memory Stick so you can view them on your camcorder.

For the audiophiles out there, Sony includes two large speakers, which provided solid sound quality that made the most of the Vaio's 20-watt power capabilities. To reduce interference noise, Sony has separated the internal sound board from the PC motherboard and has used fully digital signal paths to achieve the highest clarity of signal transmission. The result is a sharp, clean audio experience that sacrifices little on the bass end. While the two-way speaker system is more than adequate when using the Vaio as a PC or for gaming, we felt that TV or DVD viewing would be greatly enhanced by connecting to a surround receiver/speaker system through the unit's digital optical ports.

Also loaded on the computer is a variety of different Sony and third-party software that further enhances the MX's versatility. This software controls the tuning of the radio and the personal video recorder and enables you to edit your digital images, burn and label CD and DVD discs, and edit your digital home movies. The list goes on and on. And we had no trouble figuring out the basic usage of these programs; they were all quite user friendly.

The one major negative with the system is that there aren't a lot of expansion capabilities. About the only thing you can add to this machine is another hard drive. But then, there isn't a lot that the MX needs. The mouse, while serviceable, was a two-button ball mouse with a wheel. We would have liked to see an optical mouse with such a state-of-the-art system.

The Sony MX is a lot of machine to test, but it seems to be everything it claims to be--a digital entertainment system extraordinaire. --Patricia Atherly and Ed Noble

Pros:

• Fast computer with large hard drive and good graphics card
• Does practically everything in the way of digital audio, imaging, and editing
• Loaded with lots of useful software
• A variety of different connections and slots for different types of media
• Quiet fan and hard drive

Cons:

• Monitor not included
• Not a lot of expansion capabilities
• Ball mouse, not optical mouse, included

Reviews (13)

An exceptional cutting edge multi-media machine
The MXS10 is a great all around machine that truly shines if you are interested in TV/Video and audio/music functions. Not only can you watch TV on your monitor with the built-in tuner you can also record video directly to the hard drive using the integrated Personal Video Recorder (similar to Tivo). The MX also has S-Video out and Optical out to watch that same video on your home entertainment system.

Have a digital camcorder? Import and edit your video using the built-in firewire port, Even better once you are done editing burn your results to DVD. The DVD-RW that comes standard will record a DVD-R disc that is playable on most (read sold in the last 12-18 months) consumer home DVD players. (...).

Like Music? Not only does the MXS10 include CD-RW capability, a PC card slot and a memory stick slot it also includes a Mini-Disc Audio drive. Copy and create you own MD discs. MD is a high quality portable music technology pioneered by Sony. The MX also has an integrated FM receiver for listening to the radio.

All this and a great looking package that includes shelf size speakers.

This thing is just too cool…..

Good, except one major flaw-
Everything I need In One Sony PC!! It is a sleek slim-line PC. The only problem is that the case is pretty cramped and not much room for expansion.

Forget the PC features - let's talk bells'n'whistles here!
Let's skip all the standard PC junk (the processor, RAM, disk space, etc.). After all, this beauty is marketed as a "state-of-the-art multimedia computer with a powerful, entertainment package" - in case you happen to believe manuals. The PC features of VAIO PCV-MXS10 are impressive, so is the fifteen hundred dollars markup as compared with a similarly equipped COMPAQ or an HP. Would you like to know where the money went (I did)?
Lets break it down.
Audio:
1. The two 20W large speakers look good. The sound quality and power, however, could have been better. Any hundred bucks boombox beats them hands down.
2. Remote control - looks intimidating for a week or two, especially when you pull the lower lid down to open up the A/V recording buttons (concealed). Then you begin to wonder why on earth no other PC maker had thought of this before!
3. This is very annoying - if you happen to adjust volume (on the reflective front panel or the remote) while the computer is executing even a basic task, it will appear not doing anything for a few seconds, then will hit you with a loud volume increase which was running in the OS background.
Graphics/games:
4. Game card - not bad for an entry level multimedia computer, less than adequate for the "state-of-the art" machine. Don't get me wrong - all my games worked perfect - for now. But what happens in a year or two with all those Internet enabled graphic card power-hungry games that are coming out?
Video:
5. DVD - no composite output, but S-VHS jack for an outside TV. No S-VHS cable, plenty of RCA and coaxial cables. The playback tolerance (DVD body scratches) is impressive - beats home DVD players for sure!
6. The multimedia software - Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, DVgate, Media Bar, Movie Shaker, PictureGear, Smart Capture, VisualFlow, SonicStage Premium - all worth the stretch price-wise.
Customer Support - excellent, to say the least! Had a problem on the very first day - resolved within a few minutes with 3 (three!) levels of escalation. Outstanding!
Summary: Don't consider Sony VAIO PCV-MXS10 a desktop with a good multimedia package, because it is not. You will be better off with a fifteen hundred dollars shy COMPAQ or HP. Spend the difference on additional software and hardware upgrades - makes perfect sense.
Do consider this wonderful machine (has its drawbacks - yes!) if you want to get a PC-centered all-in-one multimedia center connected to an outside high end audio and digital video (satellite, HDTV, DVD(-R(W)) player, etc.) components. Only then then this overpriced under-developed mis-marketed Sony PC becomes what it really is - a multimedia dream machine that is worth every penny!
Would I buy it again - given another choice? Definitely!

Processor
General comment: I have had a loaded Pentium 4 and have had nothing but problems with it as does everyone who is a heavy user! I've doubled the PC800 (Best Ram for it), added DSL and gone to Win XP and still it bogs down! I still use it as my primary PC, but I recently got a new complete system based on the Athlon XP 2000+ processor with 512 DDR Ram and it is at least twice as fast maybe 3 times!! And they're cheaper! Reminds me of AOL being rammed onto poor new users, I tried it (Version 7) for a month after 5 years online. It has a horrible email system and you don't see the real internet, plus you get spammed constantly through both the email and messenger! They were very impolite when I cancelled also!

reliability and warranty problems
A word to the wise on Sony's Vaio line: I purchased one of the Sony slimline computers a year ago and had a hard disk failure within the first 9 months. This was covered by the warranty, so Sony replaced the drive at their expense. The replacement drive failed in about 6 months (when it and the system were off warranty). When I replaced *that* drive I discovered that Sony had given me a used disk when it did the warranty work. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Though slightly less than ideal for fans of 3-D gaming or video recording, Sony’s new Vaio PCV-RXA842 is otherwise a powerful yet affordable desktop solution that offers plenty of bang for the buck.

For the PCV-RXA842, Sony has incorporated a cost-effective 2.4 GHz AMD Athlon XP 2400+ processor, 512 MB of PC-2100 DDR RAM (expandable to 1 full GB), and an integrated 32 MB nVidia nForce 220 IGP graphics accelerator. The system’s 80 GB hard drive is big enough for even the most extensive MP3 collection, and its internal CD-RW drive will burn best-of music compilations, backup and archive discs, and traditional audio CDs. Although the PCV-RXA842 won’t record DVD-format video discs unless you add a DVD burner, its built-in DVD player will allow you to watch your favorite movies.

The PCV-RXA842 offers numerous conveniences to enhance and simplify your day-to-day computing, including a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, a PS2 wheel mouse, four high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug-and-play peripherals such as external CD drives and joysticks, and front and rear IEEE 1394 interfaces for easy DV camcorder connectivity. The included Vaio Smart keyboard features several handy one-touch multimedia and Internet buttons for instant access to common functions.

Sony asserts that the Vaio PCV-RXA842 will serve as a capable central hub for many years to come. Aside from its state-of-the-art USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 ports, the system features headphone and microphone ports, a line-in jack, parallel port, proprietary Memory Stick Media Slot, V.90 modem for low-speed Internet and e-mail, and a 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet interface for high-speed Web surfing and LAN access. Sony has included a pair of stereo speakers but has not packaged the PCV-RXA842 with a viewing screen, allowing users to make their own selection from the numerous VGA and ultrathin LCD models on the market. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Poor quality graphics
The built in nVidia nForce 220IGP grahpics are very low quality and are not suitible for gaming or business grahpics (such as CAD). Of course for a hundred or two more you can buy a new video card and get good graphics. But then for that much money you could buy a faster system with better grahpics already installed and you don't have to deal with opening up your computer, installing a new card and messing with the graphics drivers. So the low price is deceptive. This system will cost you a lot more in the end.

Excellent value.
This is another excellent entry from Sony CE, again gaining high marks for its value. It features an Athalon (AMD) XP processor running at 2.0 GHz and offers 512 megs of very fast DDRAM. It also has 4 2.0-ready USB ports, a large 80 gig hard drive and a very good CD-R/W + DVD player. My only complaint is the lack of a true game-ready, 64 megs (or higher!) of video RAM. The included 32 meg Sony in-house, on-chip setup here just won't cut the mustard. There is, however, an open 4x AGP slot, so an upgrade can be bought and slid into place in 10 minutes without any fuss. In addition, there is no monitor included here, so that's another important expense to add. Nonetheless, it's a quality machine with lots of great features and it's one you'll probably be happy with for years to come. Having said that, I'd take the upgraded 850 model, which features a much better Intel Pentium 4 processor (running at 2.4 Ghz) for just a little bit more money. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Especially well suited to multimedia mavens, the Sony Vaio PCV-RX740 desktop is a versatile system that's ready to handle virtually all the latest crop of internal and external PC applications and devices. Whether you're watching a Hollywood blockbuster, uploading and editing a home movie, recording a CD, or filling a spreadsheet, the Vaio PCV-RX740 will help keep things humming along smoothly.

The unit offers a pleasant tradeoff between power and affordability. Rather than fitting the Vaio PCV-RX740 with a state-of-the-art processor that, in reality, may deliver more power than most users require, Sony has installed acost-effective yet powerful 1.53 GHz AMD Athlon XP 1800+ with 128 KB of Level 1 cache and 256 KB of Level 2 cache. This capable chip is paired with a generous 256 MB of RAM and an integrated 32 MB SiS740 graphics processor. Although it won't set new speed benchmarks or efficiently handle the most demanding 3-D games, the Vaio PCV-RX740 desktop will easily carve its way through most of today's popular entertainment and professional programs.

More than just an affordable workhorse, the unit is also exceedingly flexible. You'll find plenty of room to store your programs and files on its spacious 60 GB hard disk. You'll record and play audio CDs and back up your data on its integrated 40x/24x/10x CD-RW drive, load and move smaller files on its 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, and play DVD movies on its 16x DVD-ROM drive. And if you're looking for fast video data transfer solutions, the Vaio PCV-RX740 desktop is ready to oblige with two IEEE 1395 ports: one on the rear and another placed conveniently on the front of the case.

The unit features a variety of additional connections, including four USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals, a parallel "printer" port and serial port, two PS/2 ports for keyboards and mice, and line-in and line-out audio jacks. An integrated V.90 data/fax modem delivers low-speed Internet connectivity, and a 10 Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet card affords high-speed e-mail access and surfing. A PS/2 wheel mouse, Vaio Smart keyboard, and a pair of full-range desktop speakers round out the system's hardware amenities. Sony has not included a monitor with the package, allowing you to select your favorite display from the many currently available or perhaps use one already on hand.

The Vaio PCV-RX740 desktop is loaded with a variety of practical and entertainment software, including pre-installed copies of Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, Corel WordPerfect Office 2002, Intuit Quicken 2002, and an assortment of Sony DVD, home movie, photo, and audio tools and utilities. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

If you want a computer that is good for business or home use, check out the Sony Vaio PCV-RX560. Just look at some of its features: dual 40x (read), 16x (write), 10x (rewrite) CD-RW and 16x DVD-ROM drives, 1.7 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 256 MB of memory (expandable to 512 MB), and an nVidia TNT2 M64 graphics card. All these features bring the price in higher than average for desktops as a whole but around average among similarly rated products. The desktop also features an 80 GB hard disk, 56K modem, and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet networking card. Windows XP Home Edition comes installed. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Well Designed Machine
I have had three Sony Vaio computers over the last couple of years, and none has let me down. This latest Vaio is no different, with sleek styling and great performance. The machine is quiet, fast, and didn't cost me an arm and a leg even with the 19" FD Trinitron monitor that I also bought along with the system unit. Highly recommended - do yourself a favor and buy a Sony!

My Sony VAIO RX 560 Turned Me into a Computer Addict
I had three nightmare HP Pavilion 7940s, in only three months. They literally took a summer and a fall out of my life. Then, I bought this Sony. Quite literally, it has turned me into a com-
puter freak. It has me roaming the Internet, downloading, uploading, reloading, uninstalling, and then reinstalling, just to play with it! I even subscribed to about ninety tech emags and regular magazines because it has opened up my interest that much in the new technology! It is fast, efficient, and ridiculously stable. It is not normal not to crash like this one never does. Also, it came with XP, which is the best thing Bill has done since '95. The HPs had ME, which is proof that terrorists have siezed contol of our nation's computer systems.

Sweet Computer for a Great Price
As you can see by just looking at the picture, the Vaio looks great, Sony is about the only computer company other than Apple that cares about its looks. The computer it self is great, it comes with everything you need. The processor is more than enough for any type of user, the ram is decent, for regular user that should be enough, but others might want to upgrade to 512mb, that only cost [price] so that isn't a big deal. The hard drive space is awesome; you can never run out, 80 GB, that's the second largest hard drive out there. The CD-RW is blazing fast; you can burn a full CD in about 4-6 minutes. And for those of you that own any Sony Digital Imaging or Video products, it gets even better, there is a I-Link port in the front of your computer, for easy access, and the Vaio comes pre-loaded for all the software you need. This computer is nearly perfect, the only extra that it's missing is the DVD-RW, but you wouldn't expect that in a computer selling for [price] (...). The Sony reliability factor is also an added reason for buying this computer, it never breaks down, it is flawless. For [price], this is the best computer on the market. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ40C1B is a gamer's delight. It's got ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics for amazingly sharp 3D visuals and Sound Blaster Audigy audio to make your computing experience come alive. The DVD+/-RW/CD-RW drive and a secondary CD-RW drive handle even the toughest workloads to record music, movies, and other files. Other features include a 3.0 GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor, 1 GB of installed RAM, an extra-large 160 GB hard drive, and a wide assortment of Sony multimedia software.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 160 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage for all your media storage--from digital audio to TV programs.
• Processor: The 3.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It is well suited for high-performance gaming and professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. It also has A 512 KB L2 cache and an 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The PCV-RZ40C1B comes with a 1 GB built-in memory (PC3200 DDR SDRAM, 400 MHz), which is definitely suited to this PC's high-performance video and audio capabilities. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The PCV-RZ40C1B has two optical drives. The DVD-/+RW drive is compatible with both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs as well as CD-RW. DVD+RW discs write at 4x, rewrite at 2.4x, and read at 2.4x, while DVD-RW discs write at 4x, rewrite at 2x, and read at 2x. Additionally, it comes with a CD-RW drive with 40x write/12x rewrite speeds.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (PS/2).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCV-RZ40C1B has three PCI expansion slots (two occupied), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 headphone and 1 microphone
• Multi-format memory card reader that is compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia cards.

Preloaded System and Software
This PCV-RX753 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Preloaded Sony software includes Click to DVD, PictureGear (digital photo), DVgate (digital video), SonicStage (digital music), VisualFlow, DigitalPrint, and Smart Capture. Other preloaded software includes Intuit Quicken 2002, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple QuickTime, and RealNetworks RealOne Player.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 7.75 x 15 x 15.4 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 30.86 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony VAIO PCV-RZ40C1B desktop PC, VAIO keyboard, and PS/2 optical mouse. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ54G is a full-fledged desktop PC--but it's also a television, a DVD player, an FM and Internet radio, and a personal video recorder. It's powered by the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 operating system (compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV, and antenna), and it features a 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor (with Hyper Threading technology), extra-large 200 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of installed memory. For an even more powerful Media Center, you can step up to the Sony Vaio PCV-RZ56G with a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, a 250 GB hard drive, and 1 GB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 200 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage for all your media storage--from digital audio to TV programs.
• Processor: The 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system--see more in Tech Talk section below) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It is well suited for high-performance gaming and professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. It also has A 512 KB L2 cache and an 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The PCV-RZ54G comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (2 x 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 400 MHz)--a decent amount for starters, but you'll want to add more to take full advantage of the capabilities of Windows XP Media Center. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The PCV-RZ54G has two optical drives. The DVD-/+RW drive is compatible with both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs as well as CD-RW. Both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs write at 8x, rewrite at 4x, and read at 8x. You can record and rewrite CDs at 24x speed (and read them at 32x). It also features a 16x DVD-ROM drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (PS/2).

Sound is delivered via a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy audio card, which delivers high-quality 5.1 channels of digital surround sound. The newer Audigy 2 card has 24-bit, 96 Hz recording capability and is preferred for professional-quality audio recording.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCV-RZ54G has three PCI expansion slots (none available), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Multi-format memory card reader that is compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia cards.

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as TiVo or ReplayTV). You can even pause or rewind (up to 7 seconds) FM radio broadcasts.

Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine. With the pre-installed Click to DVD software, you can turn your digital photos into a slideshow and burn it to DVD. You can plug in your analog video source (camcorder or VCR) and transfer video to DVD, or store it on the hard drive as a digital file.

Other preloaded software includes Adobe Premiere LE, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Sony Screenblast Acid, Sony Screenblast Sound Forge, Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Office 2003 (60-day trial), InterVideo WinDVD, and Intuit Quicken 20042 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 7.75 x 15 x 15.4 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 30.86 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony VAIO PCV-RZ54G Digital Studio PC, speakers (stereo) w/subwoofer, IR remote control and receiver, IR blaster, VAIO keyboard, and PS/2 optical mouse.

Tech Talk
Hyper-Threading: A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (5)

Watch out for this one!
My husband and I purchased one of these to do dv recording and to convert to and edit mpeg2 files. Each time we tried to play a video in mpeg2 format - and we tried with multiple files - it REBOOTED THE MACHINE! (XP was set to reboot after a fatal error - but even when this was turned off, we still got a fatal error). After we spent hours and hours on the phone with tech support, trying multiple solutions, they concluded it had a faulty video chipset. Needless to say, we returned the pc immediately and got our $$ back. Doesn't Sony do QA testing on a common format like mpeg2??? All I can say is, I hope not many of these machines came out of the box like this one!

Rz54G Gigabit Ethernet slow
I purchased the Sony VAIO RZ54G and like the machine for the most part. I noticed that my home network was very slow though. I found that the GIGABIT ETHERNET built into the SOny was configured for 10MB/s (1% of it's max rate). My network only supports 100MB/s so I figured it should easily handle 100MB/S if it can do 10 times that... right? Wrong. I worked with support for two days reconfiguring the system and trying every immaginable option in the ethernet controller. We tried to clean install and even had the mother board replaced but still no more than 10MB/s. I can plug in my old dell or my wife's laptop and connect at 100MB/s no problem. Sony washed their hands and said I can put in an aftermarket ethernet card if I want this work. That is not an acceptable solution in my mind. Not happy with their cutomer dis-service.

XP Media Center need improvement go with the RS series
I bought the RZ50CG custom configure with comprable specs as the RZ54G. Sent it back because even though it says it's a Gigapocket desktop, it is not. It runs on the Gigapocket engine, but with Windows XP Media Center. The difference is noticeable.

Gigapocket is exactly like having a TV, where you can adjust color by right clicking on the screen, input your video device via the composite or S-video cable and have Gigapocket detect it the same way it would if you plugged it into your TV and used the TV/Video select button to view your recordings.

XP Media Center doesn't allow you to do that. You have to go through and reconfigure your settings each time, and then reconfigure it back to be able to play your TV channels (cable).

The benefit with the RZ is that you get the 9600 ATI Radeo video card vs. the 9200 in the RS model. The other benefit of the RZ model is the 5.1 capable Soundblaster Audigy card. You can't get that in the RS, but you can always add it if you want to.

The RS is the way to go if you're looking for seamless video to DVD recording or playback.

If you're going to spend the money, make the investment to get 1gb of RAM.

I Love It!!!
I purchased this computer about a month ago. It's amazing!!! It even has something like TiVo built in to the computer so you can record tv programs and pause live tv. It is super fast (it has a 3.2 ghz processor) and a very large hard drive. This computer is just a lot of fun.

Nice computer, but the power supply is lacking
Before you buy this PC, just beware; The power supply that comes with it is only 295 watts of power. That probably means nothing to people who just want a computer but don't want to upgrade. For those of us who do, the 295 watts may limit whats being put into the case such as more powerful graphics processors, more PCI boards, etc. Also, even if you wanted to change it out, the speakers that come with it use the DC power out from it so the speakers are useless even if you can find another one to fit its size in the back.
Now if none of this concerns you, then this PC is king. The hard drive is huge so you can save all your TV shows using the Gigapocket recorder, the speed of the processor is fast enough for any video editing, the DVD drives will record just about anything you throw at it, and the Radeon 9600XT is an amazing midrange graphics card. All in all, this PC is great for the amount of money spent on it. ... Read more

Product Description

VAIO RZ Series is an affordable full-featured DVD burning Desktop PC. With the pre-installed Click to DVD software, creating home movies onto DVD with your Digital Camcorder is as easy as "Connect, Click, and Burn"! You can also create photo albums and photo slide shows with all of the digital photos you took with your digital still camera! Store photos on DVD and enjoy watching it with your DVD player! ... Read more

Product Description

The RS Series Desktop opens up a world of possibilities in your home. You can edit a home video and export it to DVD. You can use pre-loaded software to retouch personal images, create digital photo albums and compile music programs. Plus there's a world of connectivity with USB 2.0 ports, i.LINK and Ethernet. The VAIO RS Series - making home computing affordable and fun. ... Read more

Product Description

Featuring the latest Intel processor, the VAIO Digital Studio RZ computer has the power to drive your most demanding entertainment and productivity applications - all in one compact and stylish unit. ... Read more

Product Description

You make deals, not excuses. So "can't" isn't an option. You need a computer that knows no limitations. A computer that can handle the full spectrum of modern media. A computer that was designed to work the way you do: Quickly. Powerfully. Flawlessly. The RS series was built to deliver maximum multi-media capabilities. Digital camcorders. Digital cameras. CDs. DVDs. You name it, the RS is equipped to handle it. From powerful hardware to an empowering software package that facilitates any business or digital editing project, you get everything you need to turn your desktop into a multimedia workstation. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With the Vaio PCV-MXS20 desktop, Sony has earnestly begun to bridge the gap between computers and entertainment systems. Unlike many preconfigured models, the Vaio PCV-MXS20 emphasizes multimedia performance and, in particular, its sound and video delivery system. If you're looking for a single component that can go from business workhorse to playtime fun center at a moment's notice, you may have found your solution.

The most obvious difference between the Vaio PCV-MXS20 and other computers is readily apparent in the form of two large wood-enclosed, two-way loudspeakers. This is a refreshing break from the tiny and often ineffective speakers you'll find accompanying most systems. And to ensure you make good use of its audio output devices, Sony has incorporated a number of multimedia options inside the unit, including a combination DVD-RW/CD-RW drive for recording and playing music CDs, burning home movies onto digital media, or enjoying the latest cinematic releases. And don't forget data backup. With the massive 4.7 GB capacity of a DVD, you may be able to archive all your data on a single disc.

If minidiscs are more to your liking, the Vaio PCV-MXS20 is ready to accommodate. Sporting a fully functional minidisc recorder, the unit allows you to burn and play up to 320 minutes of digital audio on each convenient miniature disc. Furthermore, you can listen to FM radio with the system's innovative FM receiver, watch and capture television broadcasts with its MPEG2 real-time encoder/decoder board with TV tuner, and transfer music and images with its integrated MagicGate Memory Stick slot.

Fortunately, the Vaio PCV-MXS20 is powerful enough to handle just about anything you want to do. Driven by a 2 GHz Pentium 4 processor with 256 KB of Level 2 cache, 512 MB of fast PC-2100 DDR RAM (expandable to 1 GB), and a 32 MB nVidia GeForce 2 MX graphics board, the system will efficiently run everything but the most video-intensive 3-D games. An accommodating 120 GB hard drive completes an impressive hardware roster.

With the Vaio PCV-MXS20, you'll always be connected. The unit features three USB ports (two front and one rear), an LCD monitor (DVI) port, 6-pin i.Link port, digital audio optical port, headphone-out, microphone-in, S-video in and out, and various analog audio jacks. The system's built-in FM antenna helps clear up distant FM signals, and its 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet supportshigh-speed LAN and Internet connections. Sony has not included a monitor, allowing you to select one separately.

To help get you started, Sony has installed Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Other pre-installed software includes Sony's own Giga Pocket personal video recorder, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Intuit Quicken 2002, and an assortment of music, video, and photo applications. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

sony computer review
I think this sony computer mxs20 is the best product out there it
it give you the best of both world it give you business and entertainment. I would like to buy this product please email and
let me no if this sony vaio pcv-mxs20 is for sale. ... Read more