Desktop Reviews

• Professional grade multimedia desktop with Blu ray Disc capability, integrated TV tuner, and Windows XP Media Center
• Dual core 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium D 940 processor, 300 GB hard drive, two GB RAM max capacity
• Seven USB 2.0, two FireWire, one parallel, one VGA, one 9 in 1 memory card reader, two DVI outputs, S Video/composite video inputs
• Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT video/graphics card with 256 MB GDDR3 SDRAM shared, 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• Includes wireless keyboard/mouse, 5.1 channel surround sound speakers, remote control

Intel Pentium D 940 3.2GHz 2048MB RAM 2048MB max 300GB HDD 7200rpm Blu ray R DL DVD�RW drive Gigabit Ethernet TV Tuner NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup two EXCEPTION: Monitor &amp, Speakers not included on this item.

Warranty: 90 days parts and labor maker warranty

A powerhouse in computing for all your multimedia needs today, the Sony Vaio VGC RC310G desktop computer will stand the test of time with a storage expansion capacity up to two TB that’s terabytes, as in 2,000 GB. It is also the 1st Sony desktop to offer high definition Blu ray Disc capability, which supports full 1080p HD video also as up to 5.1 discrete channels of uncompressed audio. The Blu ray system is backwards compatible with standard DVDs and CDs, enabling you to take pleasure in your digital library for many years to come. Watch and record your beloved shows with the integrated standard NTSC TV tuner and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, which is improved by Sony’s Giga Pocket engine. It is convenient and easy with on screen program listings and navigation, , then create a digital library of programming that you may view at your convenience.

It is powered by a dual core 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium D 940 processor, which delivers robust performance for running many, calling for applications at the same time. Advanced DDR2 memory gives super high speed computing, while the PCI Express x16 video graphics potential enable cinematic quality effects and color. Other features are Sony’s groundbreaking liquid cooling system and advanced noise reduction technology, 300 GB hard drive, two GB of installed RAM maximizing capacity, Nvidia GeForce 7600 graphics/video card with 256 MB of shared memory, a money of multimedia connectivity alternatives and pre loaded Sony software, and an extra DVD ROM drive. It also come with a 5.1 channel speaker system and remote control.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: This entertainment centric desktop is filled with a gigantic 300 GB Serial ATA SATA hard drive 7200 RPM, which will store hundreds of hours of video programming also as tens of thousands of music files. This SATA hard drive also quickens the rate with a higher speed move of data akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
• Processor: The 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium D 940 dual core processor is a strong multimedia workhorse, and one of the most powerful processors available as of June 2006. An Intel dual core processor delivers extra computing resources and help expand the PC’s potential by higher throughput and concurrent computing. You will be able to do many tasks like digital generating and gaming all while running virus scan or another background tasks seamlessly. Each core has two MB of L2 cache onboard for a four MB total, and the two cores share an MHz front side bus. An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data, and a bigger L2 cache may 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 in general performance.
• Memory: This Vaio multimedia desktop maxes out its two GB RAM capacity with the two one GB of DDR2 sticks PC 4200, which offers excellent 533 MHz speed. The capacity is a bit smaller than other high end multimedia desktop PCs, but the two GB will surely supply excellent power for video editing and immersive 3 D gaming.
• CD/DVD Drive: This Vaio RC300 desktop is one of Sony’s 1st Blu ray Disc enabled desktops. It is able of playing back Blu ray Disc movies in stunning clearness, also as playing your current library of bought and burned disc content. It is also able of burning HD Camcorder content in its original 1080 high definition resolution can store a big total of data on a single disc 25 GB single level disc to 50 GB on a double level disc. This desktop also comes with a secondary standard DVD ROM drive. The BD drive offers the following write speeds:
  • DVD+R DL: 8x
  • DVD+R: 8x
  • DVD+RW: 8x
  • DVD R DL: 4x
  • DVD R: 8x
  • DVD RW: 8x
  • CD R: 24x
  • CD RW: 16x
  • DVD RAM: 5x
  • BD R: 2x
  • BD RE: 2x
  • BD ROM Read: 2x
  • BD RE Read: 2x
  • BD R DL Read: 2x
  • BD R DL: 2x

• Keyboard &amp, Mouse: This desktop comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse, helping you to eliminate the clutter of desktop cords.

Screen, Graphics and Sound
Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT graphics card, which was chosen by PC World magazine as one of the 100 Best merchandise of 2006 July, 2006. It has 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM dynamically assigned shared RAM/video memory for extreme high meaning gaming and home theater quality video. It features NVidia’s PureVideo technology which gives great picture clearness, smooth video, correct color, and exact image scaling for video content. It also offers full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 and true high dynamic range HDR lighting. And it is prepared for the next step in graphics processing SLI technology Scalable Link Interface which delivers twice the performance of a single GPU configuration by letting two graphics cards to run in parallel. GDDR3 Graphics Double Data Rate, variant 3 is a graphics card specific memory technology that is better able to deliver liquid frame rates for the most advanced games and applications.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, this desktop has two 5.25 inch half height external bays occupied, one external 3.5 inch bay occupied and four interior 3.5 inch bays one occupied, two PCI slots one available, one x16 PCI Express occupied, and one PCI Express x1 available. It comes with the following external connectors:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a large range of peripherals from digital cameras to MP3 players 3 front, four rear
• 2 FireWire also called IEEE 1394 or i.Link ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals 1 6 pin in front, one 4 pin in rear
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 2 DVI outputs 1 with HDCP
• 2 S Video inputs front and rear
• 2 composite video/audio inputs front and rear
• 1 RF coaxial video input VHF/UHF
• 1 VGA output
• 1 optical audio output S/PDIF
• 1 subwoofer/center audio output
• 1 microphone, one headset, one line in
• Multiformat memory card reader on the front, matched with CompactFlash Type I and II, MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro/Duo, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

It also has an integrated 56K modem V.90 and an RJ 45 LAN network port for a 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems.

Preloaded System and Software
The pre installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2 is generally Windows XP Professional Edition with a range of tools to assist you to create, manage, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: GigaPocket personal video recording, Click to DVD DVD creation, SonicStage Mastering Studio digital music, Vaio Media network file sharing, DVgate Plus digital video, and Image Converter for PSP transfer. Other pre loaded software will include Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, Microsoft Digital Imaging Starter Edition, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar, Norton Internet Security with 60 day subscription, Intervideo WinDVD, Roxio DigitalMedia SE, and ULead BD Disc Recorder.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 7.7 x 15.7 x 17.9 inches WxHxD and it weighs roughly 31 pounds.

Advanced Cooling and Acoustic Technology
The groundbreaking liquid cooling system and advanced noise reduction technology of this Vaio Digital Studio PC enables optimized multitasking performance without the heat or sound of conventional fan cooled PC configuration. A distinctive liquid flow heat pipe draws heat away from the processor, while air intake from the desktop tower’s mid section maximizes air flow and optimizes Acoustics. The result: cool, calm and dependable performance from an very powerful desktop computer.

What’s in the Box
This package holds the VGC RC310G desktop PC, 5.1 channel surround sound speakers, wireless keyboard and optical mouse, remote control with IR blaster, and power cord. It’s supported by a 1 year restricted hardware warranty with one year of toll free technical telephone help.

• Box Contents Gateway GT5678 Desktop PC, Elite Multimedia Keyboard, USB Optical 2 Button Wheel Mouse, Amplified Stereo Speakers USB Powered, DVI HDMI and DVI VGA Dongle, Software Bundle Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Bit Edition with Service Pack 1, Norton Internet Security 60 Day Subscription, Microsoft Works 9, Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 60 Day Trial, 1 Year restricted Warranty
• Intel Core two Quad Q6600 2.4GHz Processor
• 8MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz Front Side Bus
• 4096MB DDR2 PC2 5300 RAM MAX 4GB
• 750GB 7200RPM, 16MB Cache SATA II Hard Drive

Experience new heights with Quad Core power and 64 bit performance to power through media and create high quality content. The GT5678 Desktop features Intel Core two Quad processing, 4GB memory and Windows Vista 64 bit delivering extreme power for dominating the new games, blazing through processor intensive programs, editing data intensive content and mega multitasking. ATI Radeon HD 2400XT graphics supply an immersive visual experience with life like graphics for gaming and smooth HD video. Easily connect to TVs and external monitors with the HDMI port and fitted 7.1 high meaning audio to take pleasure in movies on your big screen. Easily move your digital files via the 15 in 1 digital media reader and save all your memories on the big 750GB hard drive. Integrated Smart Copy button instantly downloads your digital photos and organizes them into files. Burn content on any disc format with the SuperMulti drive and laser etch pictures and text directly on discs with Labelflash technology. ATI Radeon HD 2400XT with up to 256MB Dedicated Graphics Memory 18x DVD+ R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash 8 Channel 7.1 High meaning Audio 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN 15 in 1 card Digital Media reader Gateway movable Media Drive Bay Front ports two x USB, Microphone, headset Back ports four x USB, Line in, Rear speaker out, Side speaker out, Center subwoofer, Microphone, two x PS2 ports keyboard, mouse, RJ 11 Modem, RJ 45 LAN, two x DVI, S Video, VGA Expansion slots two PCI 1 available, one x PCI Express x1 1 available, one x PCI Express x16 Occupied Drive bays two x external 5.25 1 available, three x interior 3.5 1 available Monitor isn’t included