Sony VAIO VGC-LT15E Desktop PC/TV All-In-One (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5250, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

In addition to its computing prowess, this all-in-one desktop also doubles as a 22-inch LCD HDTV, with built-in NTSC (standard) and ATSC (high-definition) tuners. It also features Sony's XBRITE-HiColor panel technology for brighter imagery and more vibrant colors. It has a built-in DVD burner and Sony's Click to DVD software so you can create a digital entertainment library for personal viewing at your convenience. Video conferencing has never been easier, thanks to the integrated 1.3-megapixel Motion Eye webcam.

Under the hood, VGC-LT15E is powered by the 1.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 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 895 MB of available video RAM, multi-format Memory Stick reader, a Secure Digital memory card slot, and Gigabit Ethernet wired networking.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). 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 T5250 processor has a 1.5 GHz processor speed, fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 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 320 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: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

• 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.

Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 8400M graphics card, which provides up to 895 MB of available RAM/video memory (128 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.

You can connect a standard antenna or cable/satellite set-top box to this All-in-One via either RF, composite A/V, or S-Video connections. This desktop includes integrated NTSC (standard broadcast) and ATSC (digital, HD) TV tuners. 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 input: 1 composite AV, 1 S-Video, 1 RF
• 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
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

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-LT15E 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.