Sony VAIO PCV-MXS10 Desktop (1.7-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive)

Rating:
Summary: Where is the Rambus memory ?
Review: A machine geared for broadband and graphic capabilities like this should definitely be configured with top of the line memory-Rambus RDRAM or at least DDR, not old technology SDRAM. This will cause a bottleneck in performance and the decision to use SDRAM is very disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: reliability and warranty problems
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Good, except one major flaw-
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Don't forget the Mini-Disc recorder
Review: First off all Dell or Gateway could not build this computer, Try to price one with all this has, A miniDisc recorder, Tv recorder, Enhanced sound system, Firewire ports, Optical outputs, Dobly Digital, Tv tuner, FM tuner, and on and on, If they could get the stuff this machine has I bet it would cost even more, For the person who wants a complete Audio,TV, DVD, Minidisc recorder, complete home system, No one else even comes close to offer such a machine.

Rating:
Summary: Processor
Review: First off I have to say Sony make beautiful looking computers that just dont cut it. They look nice but hey its whats inside that counts. Fist off this system has too many gimicks such as a Mini-Disc recorder once again, they hop you buy one of the players that supports the failing mini-disc format. The system comes with 512 mb's of SDRAM not RDRAM for 512 md of SDRAM it costs about 50-60 dollars and thats for the good stuff. Some people dont opt for a fully loaded system and just say "I'll upgrade it when it becomes cheaper" well thats great for a open system but sorry sony is a closed box system and 512 mb of sluggish [Compared to RDRAM] is all you'll ever be able to put into the machine. Another disappointment from SONY comes on its video card, 32mb's of SDRAM? thats pathetic and their not even using DDR ram. To wrap it up I have always felt that the VAIO systems were overpriced and overrated, having owned one before I can honestly say that SONY makes pathetic computers, but Hey if you buy one just think, you'll have the best looking paperweight in two years.

Rating:
Summary: Its a beautiful piece of junk
Review: First off I have to say Sony make beautiful looking computers that just dont cut it. They look nice but hey its whats inside that counts. Fist off this system has too many gimicks such as a Mini-Disc recorder once again, they hop you buy one of the players that supports the failing mini-disc format. The system comes with 512 mb's of SDRAM not RDRAM for 512 md of SDRAM it costs about 50-60 dollars and thats for the good stuff. Some people dont opt for a fully loaded system and just say "I'll upgrade it when it becomes cheaper" well thats great for a open system but sorry sony is a closed box system and 512 mb of sluggish [Compared to RDRAM] is all you'll ever be able to put into the machine. Another disappointment from SONY comes on its video card, 32mb's of SDRAM? thats pathetic and their not even using DDR ram. To wrap it up I have always felt that the VAIO systems were overpriced and overrated, having owned one before I can honestly say that SONY makes pathetic computers, but Hey if you buy one just think, you'll have the best looking paperweight in two years.

Rating:
Summary: Processor
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: How much?
Review: I played with this slick looking machine at the local outlet of a national electronics chain and I must say I was taken by the cool, futuristic design. However, looking over its specs, it is really a fairly run-of-the-mill P4 with just a built in TV recorder (not a tuner, just a VCR-like feature that uses your TV's tuner) and a DVD-R to brag about. On the short end, it is hardly expandable at all and the price is positively gargantuan considering today's going rate for even a top of the line Dell.

Rating:
Summary: Sony - Not at Home
Review: I purchased a SONY VAIO Desktop, and am very disappointed. The monitor must be adjusted (rotated, pin balance, key balance, horizontal, vertical) and I cannot get it to my liking. It also flickers. It may be a defective computer.
Unfortunately, SONY's warranty does not include in-home service. In order to have someone look at the monitor and computer, I will have to pay (...)an authorized dealer to come to my home.
I have not received a response to E-Mail I sent SONY. The technician was not upset when I asked if anything could be done before I told everyone how unhappy I was.
Maybe there is still hope. But were I to purchase another computer, I would get one with in-home service. This aggravation and disappointment is not worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Great multimedia PC
Review: I saw this PC at the COMDEX Computor show. The coolest feature of this PC is the DVD recorder which lets you record your old VHS movies onto DVD. You can also store upto several gig of backup data from your PC on a DVD. If you dont think (or cant afford) this DVD feature, then a lower price Sony works just as fast, and you can always upgrade by adding a DVD recorder later for about [price].