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Product summary
The Sony VAIO VGX-TP20E Living Room PC is a Core 2 Duo-based, mainstream computer.Compared to other mainstream desktop computers on the market, it is expensive at around $1,400.This desktop comes with 2 GB RAM, and a 500GB hard drive.
Specifications: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1 GHz); RAM installed: 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM; Hard drive: 500 GB Standard; See full specs
Price range: $1,266.61 - $1,579.99
CNET product brief
Description: The Sony VAIO VGX-TP20E Living Room PC is a Core 2 Duo-based, mainstream computer.Compared to other mainstream desktop computers on the market, it is expensive at around $1,400.This desktop comes with 2 GB RAM, and a 500GB hard drive.
Pros: Has a DVD? RW(? R DL) / DVD-RAM/ BD-ROM disc drive, which is more preferable than some similarly priced desktop computers.Also, this desktop computer has a nVidia GeForce 8400M GT graphics chip, which is better performing than some similarly priced desktop computers.Also, the 500GB hard drive installed on this machine is rather large when compared to the average desktop.However, the Core 2 Duo based CPU installed on this machine is fast enough to handle demanding applications, such as graphics and multimedia.
Cons: None noted, given available product data.
Suitability: A general-purpose desktop computer, suited for basic computing, plus digital photo sorting, audio appreciation, and entertainment applications.The nVidia GeForce 8400M GT graphics installed on this PC is moderately fast when it comes to handling 3-D graphics.Preserve favorite home movies for future generations by saving them onto DVD with this computer's DVD writer.This computer also has a CD writer, allowing you to compile your own audio CDs or video CDs.
Value: Overall, this desktop computer's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.However, this desktop manages to combine class-leading processing power with ample storage.If you were to judge strictly by CPU speed, however, the price of a mainstream computers with comparable speed is about 20% lower.
Suggestions: (1) If you plan to be playing the latest 3-D games, you may want to invest in a more powerful video card from NVidia or ATI, which are popular with the gaming community (requires an open AGP or PCIe slot).(2) For help in deciding if this is the right desktop for you, see CNET's buying guide for desktops.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Desktops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of desktop.
General purpose desktop computer
These days, $500 to $1,500 will net you a desktop with a dual-core CPU and enough power to run productivity apps, view and edit vacation photos, manage MP3s and videos, and even play many of today's games--the core activities most common to families, students, and the general purpose PC user. At $1,000 and up, you should easily be able to perform those tasks. Spend around $500, and in most cases you'll still be able to run common tasks without delay, although 3D gaming becomes a stretch. You will definitely find a dual-core chip in a $500 desktop (you should insist on a dual-core chip these days, unless your budget keeps you under the $500 mark), but Vista could still give you trouble. Be sure the PC is equipped with at least 1GB of memory, and it's a good bet that you'll be able to smoothly run Vista. Add in a 128MB graphics card, and you'll get the Aero effects with little to no performance loss.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
See more General purpose desktop computer products
Home office desktop computer
Graphics are less of a concern for most businesses, unless you run a design shop. At minimum, you'll want a desktop computer with enough power (read: dual-core CPU) for multitasking your daily office chores. The money you save on the graphics you can put toward a larger flat-panel display and a better warranty. Vista complicates matters a little. Microsoft recommends at least 512MB of system memory and a DirectX 9-capable graphics card, and it ups the specs to 1GB of RAM and at least 128MB of independent video memory for Vista Home Premium with Aero. Of course, an iMac will get the job done, too, though at a higher price than your typical business PC.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
Power user desktop computer
It's easy for the price to get out of hand with a power PC. If you shop around, you should be able to find a more than adequate gaming or digital design desktop computer for between $2,500 and $3,500. Look for an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM. You'll also need a large, fast hard drive--perhaps two or more if you plan to transfer and edit movie files--and of course, a DVD burner or, if you have an HD display, a Blu-ray or HD DVD drive. If your goal is digital design, Apple's Mac Pro continues to shine in this arena. We still won't recommend an Apple desktop computer for gaming, though, so if that's your aim, it's Windows for you.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
Small-form-factor desktop computer
The small-form-factor (SFF) case is in a bit of a transition phase right now, because the bread-box-size design we normally think of is starting to look clunky compared to even smaller case designs that have cropped up, including that of the Mac Mini, the Asus Eee Box, and others. This doesn't mean that we expect the traditional SFF case to disappear, though. We've been surprised at the number of features desktop computer vendors have been able to cram into the ultra-SFF boxes, but what those ultrasmall cases can't accommodate is expansion cards. So for most gaming, digital video encoding, and other tasks normally aided by PCI and PCI Express cards, you'll need the bigger little box.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
See more Small form factor desktop computer products
Desktop computer memory size
One GB of memory is the recommended minimum to run Windows Vista and additional memory will make multitasking and graphics run smoother. Business workstations are apt to have a lot more memory to run industrial strength software. Choosing a lower memory configuration may save you money; however, most of the highest-rated desktop computers on CNET have 2GB.
See more Desktop computer memory size products
User reviews
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Where to buy
Sony VAIO VGX-TP20E Living Room PC:
$1,266.61 - $1,579.99
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$1,349.99 | Yes |
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$1,266.61 | Yes |
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$1,579.99 | Yes |
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