Sony's Vaio LT HD PC/TV all-in-one packs Blu-ray, CableCARD support
By Paul Miller 
posted August 27th 2007 10:32AM
posted August 27th 2007 10:32AM
posted August 27th 2007 10:32AM
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Wow, and I though that the new imac looks sexy...
First: I am not a mac zealot nor fanboy, but that looks alot better than an iMac. (features for sure). However, I am not a fanboy of Sony VAIO (cheap plastic Craptastic) PCs... so I wonder how reliable this is, let alone quality of build and speed. Bet it's loaded with junk, and there is a FAT-formatted partition (with recovery on it). :P
Haha I'm not really in to apple stuff, but if you think that crap is more beautiful than imac you have to be blind !, good thing the lowest model goes for 1000 dollars more than the lowest imac model -> They must be sellning many :D ! lool
I like the design (and am a Mac owner if that matters).
I think Sony just has to get rid of Vista (run a custom version of Linux somehow..) to make that PC perfect.
Sony has done some interesting job in the hardware deparment but has never been big on software (for editing video etc. but also in OS terms).
In my opinion Sony should think about the "reverse pattern" of Apple. Apple has had OSX for a while and now they are implementing it in every device they make. Sony should do the opposite: take the good from PS3, PSP, SonyEricssons, Camcorders, Cameras and create a full fledged OS for their Vaio series.
Today, with Mac sales increasing, Windows is no longer the paradigm of OSs. As long as they grant compatibility (this, unfortunately is not Sony's motto) with other OSs we would see an intersting development.
Just my take
There will be a LOT of patent issues if Sony will try and do that. It will be like trying to invent something to put underneath a car but it can't be round, or from rubber. There is a reason why only Microsoft and Apple are selling OS's. They have been in the market for 25 years, that's going to be very hard getting in there. It also shows how much appreciation I have for the Linux community.
On the other hand, you can equip your PS3 with Yellow Dog Linux. This was intended to be distributed with PS3 but wasn't at the last minute, you can still get it for free though (I think). I bet Yellow dog has had some money from Sony's side.
iMac is nice, but isn't it a bit too simple/ minimalistic?
@ hineywipe
Um. I don't know when you last picked up a VAIO, but I'm on an AR series notebook right now and there's no cheap plastic junk or anything. In fact, it's designed quite nicely. Maybe your comment was just in reference to desktops?
I like this. Liked the older ones too. Tho the specs were plainly crap.
They managed to make all the stuff that would clutter behind, and took a pair of design cues from the PS2 (yes the 2) with the black horizontal grill holding all the guts. Definitely a machine you won't miss its back, tho you can show it if required.
Don't forget this is a TV with a hell-o'computer built in. Has more functionality than an iMac (BUILT-IN, flamers!), and is not for the same consumer/pro-sumer audience. This is the 'puter you'd put on a CEO desk =P, if only to show off and check videos on spare time.
You know the drill: Those who know, know, those who don't = boss. XD
I LOVE the TV feature and initially thought that's what Apple should have done with the latest iMacs. Then I saw the price and thought what the hell...I could get an iMac and a decent flat screen HD TV for the same price as the Vaio.
Well can you get them as one device, besides that you will still be paying the same price for the functionality whether you buy two separate devices or just the VAIO.
...and the iMac design looks horrible as a TV replacement, don't you think so...
Nice enough looking (I like the minimalism and I really like their floating glass LCD TV lineup too), but you'd think if they're touting it as an HD machine, that they'd at least have a 23-24" 1080p capable screen? (whether it makes a noticeable difference or not to your eyes, at least you'd be able to say your $3k computer was full HD!)
I have the older VAIO generation of this series and it just plain works. Sorry to dissappoint the haters out there.
If you consider the iMacs prettier than this than id love to see your girlfriends compared to mine...maybe my im blind or something but in my opinion this is one sexy ass machine ...
my Sony 46" TV looks like this and I have to admit I think it will date quickly. I would much prefer a plain black TV or something a little toned down. This is too flashy to last the distance, style wise, and not too radical to become a classic.
Two suggestions sony:
1. Use high quality materials in your high end products (read: NO PLASTIC)
2. When you are making an "All in One", dont put the CableCard Tuner in an external ugly plastic box especially when you want people to VESA mount this on the wall.
Otherwise it is cool, but a 24" 1920x1200 screen would be nice on the Blu-Ray/CableCard model.
Personally I would get it over the iMac. The new iMacs are an improvement in the looks, but its not quite there (get rid of the aptly named "Jay Leno" chin under the screen). I like the sony "floating glass" design, just wish they would make it out of aluminum and glass instead of plastic (after all, they call it the "floating 'glass'" design.
But does it play Doom?
I'm so sick of all these "But can it play Doom?" comments...
It used to be a little bit funny. Now, it's just not funny and there's no originality at all.
No, i'm serious. They said it will have discrete graphics, but i'm wondering if it will be some crappy GeForce 6150 graphics like the majority of OEM HT-PCs out there.