Sony VAIO VGC-LS30E Desktop PC (Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2080, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Sony Vaio VGC-LS37E Desktop PC fulfills everything I wanted of it. Set-up was very easy (and I'm no techie when it comes 2 computers). Picture quality is excellent.Haven't really tested the sound quality, but have recently purchased an add on sound system 2 complete the system. I was attracted 2 this product primarily because of its entertainment system especially the TV alternative. I had been considering purchasing a new counter top TV 2 replace the current 12 year set.The February 17, 2009 HDTV conversion date being the primary impetus. This product thus saved me anywhere from $250 2 $450. As I view it, the already bargain purchase has cost me that much less. The monitor design allows me 2 fit a 19 in screen into a very tight space. In summary, very happy with my purchase & very happy with Amazon service, quality, price & shipping alerts. Would highly recommend this product.

I have VAIO VGC-LS35E model which is slightly different: it have more powerful processor Core2 Duo T7200 2.0 MHz, larger hard drive 320GB 7200RPM SATA & Vista Premium. Kind of difficult 2 figure out whole setup but finally it's on desk, looks stylish & smooth. Laptop-like keyboard, switches off automatically if you forget 2 do. Had 2 replays that Sony calls mouse with Logitech MX Revolution Wireless, rechargeable battery lasts 4 more than a week. It is really a bomb! Nice features like Build-in Wi-Fi, memory card reader, TV tuner, Web Cam, Remote, USB & FireWire ports, overall great entertainment pc!
Pros: all in one, lots of power, roomy hard drive, build-in Wi-Fi, TV tuner & remote.
Cons: lack of documentation, detailed instructions how 2 pair keyboard & mouse, only 4 USB ports & One FireWire, glossy Display which it makes it difficult 2 use in bright room, cheap speakers, difficult 2 read keyboard display (Caps Lock on/off), not upgradable memory or anything, noisy DVD drive.

System or Application Recovery Disks are not provided with this PC. Apple provides them 4 their computers & the OS works.

What this means is that you are placing you data (your life's work) in the hands of SONY's Recovery software that is hardware dependent. If you change your hardware configuration you must create new one, or else it wipes out all your data. I now have a computer that I can't restore unless I by new OS disks. It makes no sense. If you want a PC you have 2 pay 4 the OS twice.

Sony has a habit of not providing Operating Sytems disks. Which is stupid beyond belief. It saves them money, & allows them 2 force a bunch of useless garbage software down your throat if you are successful in using their Recovery Software.

But you may not be successful. Their "Recovery Center" is your only means of recovery when things turn sour. But, say 4 example you want a bigger hard drive. Install it and, even if you carefully clone your software from one drive 2 the other, the Recovery Center WILL NOT WORK. This is unlike installing any other software which is not hardware dependent.

What this means is you will have 2 purchase the operating system all over again. If you purchase an OEM copy, you will have 2 install on a bare "empty" drive, & lose all the other software SONY provided. Otherwise you will have 2 purchase the full version of windows. Factor that cost--an extra $300+ into your purchase decision.

Any other software that SONY provided that you might use like DVD burning software will have 2 be re-purchased. You can't pick & chose what you want 2 reinstall off the recovery disk. It is set up so that it is all or nothing, & if it's nothing, as it was in my case, you basically bought SONY hardware, & everything software will have 2 be replaced & paid 4 again.

My advice is 2 buy an iMac. It is the same amount of money & you get a reliable computer. And you won't find yourself furious at SONY when you realize the recovery software was a time-bomb waiting 2 blow up after your warantee has expired.

I'll never buy another SONY computer. I'm in the market 4 a laptop. I would not even consider SONY. I'll look at HP & Apple.

I purchased a Mac Pro, & it has worked perfectly. It includes the OS on disk & all the software. I'm very happy with Apple & I'll never switch back. They cost more & Apple has been great with support.

Update. After nearly 8 months Sony sent me back up disks that I did not ask for. I still have a machine I can't use unless I buy a new OS--all this because these disks don't allow a larger hard disk 2 be installed.

Was a lenghty decision between the iMac & Sony desktop! Though, I'm incredibly happy I decided on the Sony. Amazon was the best price & free shipping. It arrived only a few days after I ordered. Very, very & very satisfied with the product & Amazon.

I have only had the computer 4 a month & so far I am pleasantly surprised. No issues except 4 the lack of instructions 4 pairing up the remote keyboard & mouse 2 the computer. Yes, they do have these instructions online but how can you get online without a keyboard & mouse! It was no big deal though, I just called customer service, (fairly quick), & was told there was a switch on the back of the computer that had 2 be reset & then you had 2 immediately reset the switch on the keyboard & mouse. Still, it wouldn't kill them 2 include a booklet. I have already had 2 replace the batteries in the mouse but the keyboard is still fully charged. It may have been because they come with cheap batteries.

The VGC-LS30E VAIO(R) All-in-One Desktop PC will complement your living space. The essentials 4 powerful computing performance typically found in a desktop tower are built into the back of the flat panel LCD TV display in a slim chassis. Cables are discretely routed, ports are conveniently located on the sides & wired connections are minimized with the included wireless keyboard & mouse. The high performance VAIO(R) LS PC/TV with analog & digital TV tuners doubles as a stunning flat panel widescreen TV. Windows Vista Home Premium with Media Center provides DVR capabilities with effortless on-screen navigation. You can even create your own digital library using the built-in DVD burner & the Sony Click 2 DVD software. When work is done & you've surfed the web 2 your heart's content, it's time 2 sit back & enjoy some TV or a movie on your VAIO(R) LS PC/TV. nVidia GeForce Go 7400 Graphics Processor, 399MB Total Available Graphics Memory Video RAM ATSC & NTSC Supported TV Tuner Action Buttons - Standby, S1, S2, S3, Volume, Muting, Wireless On/Off Expansion Slots - One PCMCIA - Type II/Type I card slot with CardBus support & One ExpressCard 54 Slot Sony Sound Reality Audio Enhancer Sound System Optical Drive - 4x DVD+R DL Write, 8x DVD+R Write, 6x DVD+RW Write, 8x DVD-R Write, 4x DVD-RW Write, 24x CD-R Write, 16x CD-RW Write, 24x CD Read, 8x DVD Read, 5x DVD-RAM Write, 4x DVD-R DL Write, 5x DVD-RAM Read Inputs & Outputs - Audio In, Composite Audio/Video Input, Ethernet Port, Headphone Jack, 4-pin i.LINK(R) Interface, Memory Stick(R) Media Slot, Modem Jack, Secure Digital Slot, Microphone Input, RF Connection Input, S-Video Input, 4 USB 2.0 Ports, DC-In Operating System - Windows Vista Home Premium Dimensions - Width 20.94 x Height 14.05 x Depth 7.44 inch (CPU & Display only) Weight - 15.0 pounds Monitor is not included

When space is at a premium, the Sony VAIO VGC-LS30E all-in-one desktop PC offers a slender, space-saving design that will complement your living space while also providing a powerful home computing platform with an integrated widescreen LCD display. Reminiscent of a classic glass picture frame, the remarkably thin VGC-LS30E is enclosed in a transparent polycarbonate frame, giving it a stunning, floating effect. Cables are discretely routed, ports are conveniently located on the sides, & wired connections are minimized (with the integrated Wi-Fi LAN & included wireless keyboard & mouse) 2 enhance its clutter-free design.

In addition 2 its computing prowess, this all-in-one desktop also doubles as a 19-inch LCD TV (with built-in NTSC & ATSC tuners) & features Sony's XBRITE-HiColor panel technology 4 brighter imagery & more vibrant colors. It has a built-in DVD burner & Sony's Click 2 DVD software so you can create a digital entertainment library 4 personal viewing at your convenience. Video conferencing has never been easier, thanks 2 the integrated camera.

Under the hood, VGC-LS30E is powered by Intel's Pentium dual-core T2080, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture 4 improved gaming & multitasking performance & a more efficient power consumption. The dual execution core T2080 has a 1.73 GHz processor speed, fast 533 MHz system bus, & a 1 MB L2 cache. It also features an extra-large 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card with up 2 335 MB of shared video RAM, multi-format Memory Stick reader, & a Secure Digital memory card slot.

This desktop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition 2 easily playing your DVD movies & managing your digital audio library, you'll be able 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, & offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Pentium dual-core T2080 processor is built with the Mobile Intel 945PM Express chipset, & it has a 1.73 GHz processor speed, fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB), & 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; & a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU & RAM, & a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  This processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized 4 multitasking & is ready 2 support the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named Vista. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. It's more efficient, thanks 2 Intel's Power Coordination & Deeper Sleep, which help 2 transfer power only 2 those areas of the processor that need it. It also features Intel's Digital Media Boost, which delivers enhanced performance on floating point-intensive applications such as CAD tools, 3-D & 2-D modeling, video editing, digital music, digital photography & gaming.

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect 4 storing a vast multimedia collection or 4 editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin 2 FireWire & USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC4200, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB, 533 MHz) maximizes the capacity 4 this machine, enabling you 2 effortlessly handle a wide variety of multimedia tasks right out of the box.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW & DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, & dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up 2 8.5 GB of data--great 4 backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x 4 DVD+R DL, 4x 4 DVD-R DL, 8x 4 both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x 4 single layer DVD+RW, 6x 4 single layer DVD-RW, & 24x/16x 4 CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x & CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: The included wireless mouse & wireless aluminum keyboard folds up 4 a beautiful presentation when not in use.

Screen, Video & Audio
The 19-inch LCD panel has an amazing 1680 x 1050-pixel resolution. And thanks 2 Sony's XBRITE Hi-Color panel technology, the flat-panel screen will deliver dazzling colors & sharp images whether displaying a DVD movie, television show, or web content. You can connect a standard antenna or cable/satellite set-top box 2 the VGC-LS30E via either RF, composite A/V, or S-Video connections. This desktop includes integrated NTSC (standard broadcast) & ATSC (digital, HD) TV tuners.

Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card with up 2 335 MB of video RAM shared with the system memory. Nvidia's TurboCache feature increases the performance of this thin & light notebook PC without increasing its size or draining its battery. It's coupled with the PowerMizer 6.0 advanced power management technology, which significantly extends your notebook PC's battery life while minimizing the amount of heat it produces.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
By utilizing the unit's built-in wireless LAN (802.11 b/g) technology, the VGC-LS30E can be positioned virtually anywhere in the home or office & still access Internet sites, e-mail, & networked PCs & hard drives. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54 card slot (in addition 2 a standard Type II/I PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, & lighter expansion cards 4 even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, & security features. You get a good offering of connectivity options:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports 4 connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras 2 MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port 4 connecting digital video camcorders & other peripherals
• 1 composite A/V input
• 1 S-Video input
• 1 RF cable/antenna input
• Memory Stick slot (supports optional Memory Stick & Memory Stick DUO media with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (also compatible with MMC cards)
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack, 1 audio line-in jack

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) & an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection 2 networks & DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system 4 users with advanced computer needs, & it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities 4 turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center 4 watching DVD movies & accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center 2 record & watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) & 2 access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium & an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you 2 access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever 2 share files between other PCs in your household & 2 manage your laptop computer settings 2 more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools & technologies 2 help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting 2 a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you 2 manage & monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, & other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click 2 DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student & Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This desktop LCD/PC measures 20.94 x 14.05 x 7.44 inches (WxHxD) & weighs 15 pounds.

Power
It has a power consumption rating of 150W (+10%).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Sony VAIO VGC-LS30E all-in-one desktop PC/TV, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, remote control, IR blaster, RF cable, & 8cm disc adapter. It's backed by a 1-year warranty with onsite service, & 1 year of toll-free technical phone assistance.