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Rating: 
Summary: Horrible modem problems - 2nd machine, five reloads -broken!
Review: Horrible problems. Can't use the modem to get to the internet.
Not with MSN, not with AOL... Customer support said
reload/rebuild, still didn't work. Comp USA gave us a replacement, which had the identical problem. A few rebuilds later, I'm still wondering if I'll ever get to the internet.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible modem problems - 2nd machine, five reloads -broken!
Review: Horrible problems. Can't use the modem to get to the internet.
Not with MSN, not with AOL... Customer support said
reload/rebuild, still didn't work. Comp USA gave us a replacement, which had the identical problem. A few rebuilds later, I'm still wondering if I'll ever get to the internet.
Rating: 
Summary: Great machine for a great price
Review: I just bought this computer two weeks ago (an upgrade from a 5yr old Aptiva), and I could not be happier. I did a lot of research and the Sony Vaio came up as the number one computer on my list. It come bundled with a whole bunch of software for editing video and audio, and for creating music CD's and DVD's - and it all works so well together. Now I can transfer home movies to DVD - so easy and the quality is much better then VHS. Especially if you have a Digital camcorder - like a MiniDV. Plus, other Sony equipment (MiniDV cameras, Clie PDA's, digital cameras, etc.) can be plugged directly in to the computer using the i.Link (IEEE 1394) cable or the Memory Stick Media Slot for seamless transfer of data (pictures and movies). The only downside is that some video games may not look all that great with the included graphics card (32MB SIS651 Integrated Graphics with Real256), they will all play fine but not at the highest game graphics settings. So for the avid gamer I would suggest buying a graphics card (there are 2 PCI and 1 AGP slots available). Again, high marks for Sony on a well made computer.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent, not the best though
Review: The RX860 and RX850 are the two latest desktops in Sony's "digital studio" lineup. The RX860 actually has a 2A GHz CPU, which coupled with the 533MHz frontside bus, is marketed as a 2.4 GHz machine. A marketing ploy? Misleading claim (and worthy of a class action suit)? Of course, I doubt a real-world user would actually notice the speed difference, esp. since this machine is under-powered compared to similar offerings from competitors such as Gateway and Dell. Sure, it has USB 2 and IEEE 1394 ports, but the 80GB (1GB=1000MB) hard disk feels slow and sounds noisy at times. The video as shipped is built-in and uses memory shared from the main RAM (up to 64MB). There is one AGP slot, but only 3 PCI slots, one of which is already taken up by the modem. The CD-RW part of the DVD-RW/CD-RW drive is only 8/4/24, excruciatingly slow compared to today's common 20-24/8-16/40-48 drives that cost no more than $[money] (internal versions). In short, this is a solid machine for home users, and it does have a few nice multimedia features such as Sony's own "Click to DVD" DVD-authoring software. Having owned 6 Sony computers (not all by choice, though), I don't have much high esteem for their software. And this computer comes with Wordperfect suite... a total joke. I recommend you take a look at solid offerings from Dell, Gateway and also HP before you decide.
Rating:
Summary: Decent, not the best though
Review: The RX860 and RX850 are the two latest desktops in Sony's "digital studio" lineup. The RX860 actually has a 2A GHz CPU, which coupled with the 533MHz frontside bus, is marketed as a 2.4 GHz machine. A marketing ploy? Misleading claim (and worthy of a class action suit)? Of course, I doubt a real-world user would actually notice the speed difference, esp. since this machine is under-powered compared to similar offerings from competitors such as Gateway and Dell. Sure, it has USB 2 and IEEE 1394 ports, but the 80GB (1GB=1000MB) hard disk feels slow and sounds noisy at times. The video as shipped is built-in and uses memory shared from the main RAM (up to 64MB). There is one AGP slot, but only 3 PCI slots, one of which is already taken up by the modem. The CD-RW part of the DVD-RW/CD-RW drive is only 8/4/24, excruciatingly slow compared to today's common 20-24/8-16/40-48 drives that cost no more than $[money] (internal versions). In short, this is a solid machine for home users, and it does have a few nice multimedia features such as Sony's own "Click to DVD" DVD-authoring software. Having owned 6 Sony computers (not all by choice, though), I don't have much high esteem for their software. And this computer comes with Wordperfect suite... a total joke. I recommend you take a look at solid offerings from Dell, Gateway and also HP before you decide.
Rating:
Summary: Worst computer...ever.
Review: This computer was very dissapointing. I expected a machine that would be easy to use, and would play a part in my everyday life. Instead, we got a machine that is plagued with problems. Some so cripiling, we had to reinstall XP two times. I've had enough...I'm going to Apple. Awful waste of $1,600.
Rating:
Summary: Just great.
Review: This is the best Sony I've reviewed, again gaining high marks for its value. Doubling its predecessor's DDRAM to 512 megs and adding 6 2.0 USB ports makes this machine's specs good enough as shipped to make 95% of the PC market happy. The other 5% (myself included) would like to have a true game-ready, 64 megs (or higher!) of video RAM. Perhaps most appealing is the included DVD recorder drive, which allows you to take your home movies, downloaded movies, pictures, or even photos you've taken and make your own movie collections on disc. Unfortunately, the included 32 meg Sony in-house, on-chip setup here just won't cut the mustard. There is, however, an open 4x AGP slot, so an upgrade can be bought and slid into place in 10 minutes without any fuss. In addition, there is no monitor included here, so that's another important expense to add. Nonetheless, it's a quality machine with lots of great features and it's one I'd be happy to have "as is" for anything but interactive Internet gaming or CAD.
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