Sony VAIO VAIO PCV-W600G W Series Desktop PC (2.8 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW/CD-RW Combo Drive)

[Archived in Desktops, Products, Sony]

Manufacturer: Sony
Price at amazon.com: Used from $1299.00




Product Features:

• Intel Pentium 4 Processor 2.80 GHz
• 512MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1GB)
• Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder board with TV Tuner - watch/record live TV, capture video via Composite & S-Video inputs, remote control included, & Internet TV programming guide
• 160GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive
• DVD-RW / CD-RW Slim Combo Drive

Product Description:

The Sony Vaio PCV-W600G features a stylish, sophisticated all-in-one design, which features a folding keyboard that closes in on the sleek 17.5-inch LCD screen. It features a bevy of Sony multimedia software applications, including the Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, which enables you to watch live TV and record shows for playback when you want it. It also features a fast 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor, large 160 GB hard drive combo DVD-RW/CD-RW drive, ultra-fast USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity, and 512 MB of installed RAM. The Basics Hard Drive: The massive 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos, and MP3 collection. Processor: The 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor is fast will come in handy for processor intensive tasks such as digital photo or video editing--but it is in the upper middle range for this processor. It also has a 533 MHz FSB (front-side bus) and 512 KB L2 cache. Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB). CD/DVD Drive: It comes equipped with a combo DVD-RW/CD-RW drive (which is not compatible with DVD+R/RW discs). The CD-RW drive has 16x write, 8x rewrite, and 24x read speeds. The DVD-RW has an 8x playback speed and a 1x write/rewrite speed. Keyboard & Mouse: It features a full-size keyboard that's connected to the PCV-W600G's LCD, and folds when not being used. Sound and Graphics The PCV-W600G offers an SIS 651 integrated video/graphics card built into the motherboard and 32 MB of shared memory, which is a low-cost and effective solution for 2-D programs, but will not be strong enough for immersive 3-D PC games. The 17.5-inch flat panel LCD screen has a widescreen aspect ratio (WXGA). The PCV-W600G features an integrated AC'97 (Audio Codec '97) that is also built into the computer's main board. The built-in speakers provide SRS WOW virtual surround sound. Connectivity and Expansion Slots You get a decent amount of computer and video connectivity options for the PCV-V200G's size, including:: 4 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; 4-pin) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II) 1 VHF/UHF line in 1 S-Video line in 1 Composite Video line in 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack 1 Memory Stick card slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro) It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). Preloaded System and Software The PCV-J200 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents) as well as a 60-day trial for Microsoft Office 2003. Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine. Other preloaded Sony software includes Click to DVD (DVD creation), PictureGear Studio (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), SonicStage (digital music), and Vaio Media (Network file sharing). Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD, MoodLogic 2.5 Trial, Intuit Quicken 2004 New User Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple QuickTime, RealNetworks RealOne Player, Photoshop Elements, Norton Internet Security (90-day trial). Dimensions and Weight It measures 20.4 x 12.1 x 7.4 inches (W x H x D) with the keyboard closed (or 15.2 inches deep with the keyboard open) and weighs 26 pounds. What's in the Box This package contains the Sony Vaio PCV-W600G desktop PC, remote control, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.

Description from Manufacturer: The Sony Vaio PCV-W600G features a stylish, sophisticated all-in-one design, which features a folding keyboard that closes in on the sleek 17.5-inch LCD screen. It features a bevy of Sony multimedia software applications, including the Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, which enables you to watch live TV and record shows for playback when you want it. It also features a fast 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor, large 160 GB hard drive combo DVD-RW/CD-RW drive, ultra-fast USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity, and 512 MB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos, and MP3 collection.
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor is fast will come in handy for processor intensive tasks such as digital photo or video editing--but it is in the upper middle range for this processor. It also has a 533 MHz FSB (front-side bus) and 512 KB L2 cache.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes equipped with a combo DVD-RW/CD-RW drive (which is not compatible with DVD+R/RW discs). The CD-RW drive has 16x write, 8x rewrite, and 24x read speeds. The DVD-RW has an 8x playback speed and a 1x write/rewrite speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It features a full-size keyboard that's connected to the PCV-W600G's LCD, and folds when not being used.

Sound and Graphics
The PCV-W600G offers an SIS 651 integrated video/graphics card built into the motherboard and 32 MB of shared memory, which is a low-cost and effective solution for 2-D programs, but will not be strong enough for immersive 3-D PC games. The 17.5-inch flat panel LCD screen has a widescreen aspect ratio (WXGA). The PCV-W600G features an integrated AC'97 (Audio Codec '97) that is also built into the computer's main board. The built-in speakers provide SRS WOW virtual surround sound.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a decent amount of computer and video connectivity options for the PCV-V200G's size, including::

• 4 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; 4-pin) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II)
• 1 VHF/UHF line in
• 1 S-Video line in
• 1 Composite Video line in
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick card slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The PCV-J200 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents) as well as a 60-day trial for Microsoft Office 2003. Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine.

Other preloaded Sony software includes Click to DVD (DVD creation), PictureGear Studio (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), SonicStage (digital music), and Vaio Media (Network file sharing). Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD, MoodLogic 2.5 Trial, Intuit Quicken 2004 New User Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple QuickTime, RealNetworks RealOne Player, Photoshop Elements, Norton Internet Security (90-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 20.4 x 12.1 x 7.4 inches (W x H x D) with the keyboard closed (or 15.2 inches deep with the keyboard open) and weighs 26 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCV-W600G desktop PC, remote control, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Brilliant, functional and fun to look at. Rating:
This Vaio was always fun to look at and I finally purchased this Vaio PCV-w600g. Watching TV on the 17.5 inch LCD monitor is a joy and the SIS speakers, though they receive complaints, do quite well.

I do suggest a wireless keyboard for long duration typing. The keyboard is somewhat difficult to use, but isn't too bad for minimal stuff.

The design is by far the best feature, its good lookign in any room and completely functional.

I don't think there is a better deal on the market for a 17 inch LCD TV, let alone one that functions as a computer as well.

My only suggestion is that you add a second stick of 512mb RAM. This really wakes up the computer.

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Comment: Functional AND Cool! Rating:
We brought it home, we plugged it in, and it worked! I was a little worried about the keyboard and monitor being attached to the computer, but we bought the extended service plan and just plowed ahead. The "flatness" of the keyboard (similar to a laptop keyboard) takes a little getting used to, but we overcame that in about a day.

We hooked up the TV functions - wow, how cool! We can record TV programs and play them back whenever we want, and it actually worked the first time, just like it should.

I was disappointed that Sony included no documentation or restore software with the computer, and spent a couple of hours creating recovery disks. For the cost of the computer, they really could throw in some paperwork and a couple of recovery disks.

The DVD writer works wonderfully, and the included software works without a hitch so far.

The monitor has glass over the screen, not a "fabric" screen like a laptop or typical flat panel.

Overall, we really love this computer! This is our family's 10th computer, and our favorite so far.

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Comment: Makes me smile . . . . Rating:
Every time I walk into our den I break into a smile just to see our new Sony PCV-W600G Vaio. Sony deserves a lot of credit for breaking the mold and coming up with a totally new design for the desktop computer, with a fold-up keyboard, an elongated screen, and a space-age clock. It's perfect for our mid-century (1950's) style den.

And the PCV-W600G isn't just pretty. We've been thrilled with the ease and the speed of our new computer. Other than the recommended copying of all the software onto recovery disks (in case of some unspecified potential disaster), which took two hours, the set up was a breeze. Being an eternal pessimist, I kept waiting for the big glitch and the resulting 3 hours on the phone with some technician halfway around the world. It never happened. And, for the first time, we have a computer that doesn't dawdle after each click.

We've yet to explore all of this computer's potential. We haven't tried, for example, to hook up the TV cable to the computer yet. But, for the word processing, web surfing, email, and music listening that we have done, we are totally satisfied.

I know that there are more powerful computers out there, and some may be for less money, but I don't think any of them would bring a smile to my face the way my Sony does.

Posted at November 11, 2003 05:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)