Sony VAIO VGC-LT19U Desktop PC/TV All-In-One (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Blu-Ray DVD Drive, Vista Ultimate)

VGC-LT19U

When space is at a premium, the Sony VAIO VGC-LT19U 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, this remarkably thin All-in-One PC is enclosed in a transparent polycarbonate frame, giving it a stunning, floating effect. Wired connections are minimized (with the integrated Wi-Fi LAN and included wireless keyboard and mouse) to enhance its clutter-free design, and it can be wall-mounted for a chic presentation.

In addition to its computing prowess, this all-in-one desktop also doubles as a 22-inch LCD HDTV thanks to the included ATI TV Wonder digital cable tuner, which enables you to watch and record premium HD digital cable content. It offers NTSC (standard) and ATSC (high-definition) tuners as well as Cable Card support. It also features Sony's XBRITE-HiColor panel technology for brighter imagery and more vibrant colors. Video conferencing has never been easier, thanks to the integrated 1.3-megapixel Motion Eye webcam. It offers high-definition Blu-ray Disc capability, which supports full 1080p HD video as well as up to 5.1 discrete channels of uncompressed digital audio. The Blu-ray system is backwards-compatible with standard DVDs and CDs, enabling you to enjoy your digital library for years to come. The optical drive can also write a full range of disc formats, including dual-layer DVD discs.

Under the hood, VGC-LT19U is powered by the 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance. It also includes Intel's 4965 AGN wireless LAN, which will connect to draft 802.11n routers and offers compatibility with 802.11a/b/g networks as well. It also features a huge 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card with up to 1 GB of available video RAM, multi-format Memory Stick reader, a Secure Digital memory card slot, and Gigabit Ethernet wired networking.

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate combines all the features of Windows Vista Premium and Vista Business as well as adds extras such as multi-language packs and Secure Online Key Backup. It offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. It also provides all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 processor has a 2.2 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an extra-large 4 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 Duo 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 for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. 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. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.
• Hard Drive: The extra large 500 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive has a 3Gb/s interface speed that enables up to 300MB/s data transfer rates (double the speed of the current SATA interface of 1.5Gb/s).
• Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1024 MB DDR2) will satisfy many users, but this PC's two DIMM slots have a maximum 4 GB RAM capacity--perfect for high-end video editing and 3-D gaming. The additional capacity helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card.
• DVD/CD Drive: This Sony All-in-One is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased and burned disc content. It's also capable of burning HD Camcorder content in its original 1080p high-definition resolution and can store a massive amount of data on a single disc (25 GB single layer disc to 50 GB on a double layer disc). This notebook can also write standard DVD and CD media. The BD drive offers 2x speed for reading and writing BD-R/RE discs and 1.6x BD-R/RE DL (dual layer) write speed.

  [b] It also offers the following write speeds for standard DVD and CD discs: 4x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 8x for single-layer DVD+R and DVD-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 24x CD-R, 16x CD-RW, and 5x for DVD-RAM.

• Keyboard & Mouse: The included wireless keyboard and mouse have a matching aluminum style. It also comes with a full-featured remote control for controlling both PC and TV functions.

Screen, Video & Audio
The 22-inch LCD panel has an amazing 1680 x 1050-pixel resolution. And thanks to Sony's XBRITE-HiColor panel technology, the flat-panel screen will deliver dazzling colors and sharp images whether displaying a DVD movie, television show, or web content. It delivers deep blacks and bright whites, true-to-life color, and razor-sharp detail. And with a glare filter and anti-reflective coating to minimize reflection, you'll experience a beautifully clear image.

Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card, which provides up to 1023 MB of available RAM/video memory (256 MB dedicated video RAM) for unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. With support for Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 and High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), the 8400M lets you rip through all of today's most advanced and cutting-edge games and applications.

Using the included ATI TV Wonder, you can receive NTSC (standard broadcast) and ATSC (digital, HD) signals as well as get digital cable channels with the Cable Card (available from compatible cable services). It also includes stereo speakers (3 watts apiece for 6 watts of total power) and an internal 5-watt subwoofer. The audio card includes Sony Sound Reality technology with DSD (Direct Stream Digital) support.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Intel Wireless 4965AGN Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). You also get super-fast wired connectivity, with a Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).

This All-in-One PC has one internal 3.5-inch expansion bay that is 1x SATA compatible. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (in addition to a PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. Here's the full list of connectivity options:

• 5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• Video output: none
• Audio input: 1 line-in, 1 microphone
• Audio output: 1 optical digital audio, 1 headphone
• 1 ExpressCard/34 slot
• 1 PCMCIA slot (Type I/II with CardBus support)
• Memory Stick/Memory Stick DUO slot (with MagicGate functionality)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (compatible with MMC cards)
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
The Windows Vista Ultimate operating system has it all--an advanced, business-focused infrastructure, mobile productivity, and premium home digital entertainment features. It offers all of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium, including Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker with high-definition support, and Windows DVD Maker. It also provides all of the features found in Windows Vista Business, including business networking, centralized management tools, and advanced system backup features. In addition, Windows Vista Ultimate includes Extras such as:

• Windows Hold'em, a poker game for players of all skill levels
• Language packs for Windows multi-language interface, where users can install and use multiple languages on a single PC. Great for multi-lingual households or if you are learning a new language.
• Secure Online Key Backup, where Ultimate users can store their BitLocker recovery password and Encrypting File System certificate on Windows Marketplace's Digital Locker website for access to the key anytime, anyplace, and from any computer that has an Internet connection
• BitLocker Drive Preparation Tool, an automated tool which removes the complexity of setting up your PC to use this exclusive data security feature.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to 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 to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works SE 9.0, Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial), Symantec Norton 360 All-In-One Security (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This All-in-One measures 23.5 x 16.5 x 7 inches (WxHxD) and weighs21.4 pounds.

Power
It has a power consumption rating of 150 watts (+10 percent).

What's in the Box
This package includes the Sony VAIO VGC-LT19U all-in-one desktop PC/TV, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and 8cm disc adapter. It's backed by a 1-year warranty with onsite service, and 1 year of toll-free technical phone assistance.

Features

1. All-in-one desktop PC with 22-inch LCD and ATI TV Wonder with NTSC/ATSC TV tuners and Cable Card slot; wall-mountable
2. 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB installed RAM 4 GB max), Blu-ray Disc read/write (as well as DVD and CD burning)
3. Quad-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g/n); 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet; Nvidia GeForce Go 8400 graphics (up to 1 GB of available memory)
4. Connectivity: 5 USB, 1 FireWire, optical digital audio out, video input (AV, S-Video, RF), ExpressCard, PCMCIA
5. Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Ultimate (with Premium and Business capabilities)

At a time when the laptops are sub-thousand and there are initiatives like OLPC, this desktop sounds like a bit too much on price, though there are several high-end options that makes it so expensive. Also, there is premium for Sony's style and brand.