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Gadgets Sony Unveils New VAIO LT All-in-One PC
Brandon Hill (Blog) - August 27, 2007 11:03 AM

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24 comment(s) - last by Chiisuchianu.. on Aug 28 at 1:47 AM

Sony VAIO LT (Source: Sony)

Sony counters Apple's new iMac with a revamped all-in-one of its own

When it comes to all-in-one computer designs, Apple's iMac gets the bulk of the attention. Apple recently introduced a revamped iMac lineup with Intel Core 2 Duo power along with 20" and 24" displays.

Today, it's Sony's turn with its new VAIO LT and VAIO LT HD. Both versions include a 22" WSXGA+ "floating glass" display with XBRITE-HiColor LCD technology, 1.3 megapixel camera, Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 2GB of RAM, a CableCard slot and an 802.11n wireless adapter.

"The LT model has everything you need- it's a PC and HDTV set in one breathtaking device," said Sony VAIO senior VP of product marketing Mike Abary. "It's the ultimate showstopper for media lovers who appreciate high-def performance and cutting-edge technology in a saving space design."

Customers who step up to the VAIO LT HD are greeted with a Blu-ray optical drive and Windows Vista Ultimate in place of Windows Vista Home Premium.

Sony says that both models will be available in October with the standard LT model ringing up at $1,900. The VAIO LT HD will set you back a whopping $2,900, although one would hope that the extra $1,000 will get you more than a Blu-ray drive and Windows Vista Ultimate.

For comparison, Apple's 20" iMac starts at $1,199 while the 24" model starts at $1,799. A top-of-the-line 24" iMac will cost you "only" $2,299.

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dang...

By retrospooty on 8/27/2007 11:12:38 AM , Rating: 5

Of all the companies in the business, only Sony could possibly put up an offering even more overpriced than an Apple...

double kill! - I love when I can get them both in one sentence LOL

RE: dang...

By otispunkmeyer on 8/27/2007 12:12:06 PM , Rating: 2

if anything, this makes the apple imac look like a good deal.

$2900 for this when you can pay $2300 for a top iMac with 2.8ghz C2D and a display actually capable of doing 1920x1080.

i hope sony are packing a 1080p capable display in the $2900 model,i mean it has got Blueray so you'd hope they would. for an extra $1000 i would expect it.

are there any LCD makers that make 22inch 1080p panels?

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RE: dang...

By retrospooty on 8/27/2007 12:14:45 PM , Rating: 3

I don't think there are any 22 inch LCD that go over 1680x1050, so I'd say no, but I am not sure.

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RE: dang...

By swtethan on 8/27/2007 12:45:42 PM , Rating: 3

If they can put 1900x1200 or something into a laptop 17".......

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RE: dang...

By Dactyl on 8/27/2007 1:28:51 PM , Rating: 2

They can put 1920x1200 into a 15.4" laptop screen. (Lenovo was offering this with their T61, I believe.)

But I think the above commenter is right that one would not ordinarily find a 22" screen with that resolution. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it's available on the market--and I doubt Sony would custom-order it. There just isn't a lot of demand for 22" 1080p. If you want 1080p, get a bigger monitor (or a media center laptop).

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RE: dang...

By retrospooty on 8/27/2007 3:43:31 PM , Rating: 2

"Just because it can be done doesn't mean it's available on the market--and I doubt Sony would custom-order it."

Exactly. tx

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RE: dang...

By mushi799 on 8/27/2007 7:24:13 PM , Rating: 5

an imac is never a good deal because it's a damn MAC.

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RE: dang...

By helios220 on 8/27/2007 12:57:25 PM , Rating: 4

It's a global economy after all, US companies can't have a monopoly on pretentious ego-centric devices ;)

For real though, I don't think I even heard Apple say something like:

quote:
...set in one breathtaking device...

Although I'm sure I'll incur the wrath of some venomous Sony zealots, but there is something about the general attitude of Sony's corporate image that irks me, almost as if they really want their slogan to be "Sony: God's gift to consumer electronics".

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RE: dang...

By FITCamaro on 8/27/2007 1:39:54 PM , Rating: 2

Well to be fair, while I don't think its the total extra cost, the Sony comes with a CableCARD slot which the Apple does not.

But yes its great to see that Apple isn't the only one horribly ripping off its customers for a visually appealing machine. My friends new desktop he just built didn't cost $2900. And it has a Q6600, Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus, 4GB of RAM, 2 x 8800GTS 640MB, 3 x 500GB hard drives, 150GB Raptor, and Silverstone case and PSU. And it looks great sitting next to his 46" Sony Bravia TV.

Of course he also found out that apparently MSI's 8800GTS 640MB might be the only one available that doesn't fully support HDCP. Which would explain why when we hooked it up to his TV via a DVI-HDMI cable it didn't work.

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RE: dang...

By RubberJohnny on 8/27/2007 7:58:06 PM , Rating: 2

Did you guys try reading the manual for the bravia? The reason your friend's DVI-HDMI setup doesn't work has nothing to do with HDCP (after all your not trying to play HDCP content) its because some LCD TVs don't accept a pc input through DVI-HDMI. I know this is also the case with a lot of samsungs models.

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RE: dang...

By JCheng on 8/27/2007 2:33:35 PM , Rating: 2

That is actually not expensive for a CableCARD-equipped device. You can't get CableCARD for any price on a Mac or build-your-own (which is really unfortunate).

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RE: dang...

By retrospooty on 8/27/2007 3:46:54 PM , Rating: 2

If I read it correctly, it is not cable card equipped, but it has a free slot for a cable card you can put in yourself. Either way, still way too expensive.

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uhuh

By Visual on 8/27/2007 11:24:15 AM , Rating: 1

perhaps its my lack of experience with english at fault here...
but isn't a showstopper a bad thing?

and why dont they make this with a touch screen?

RE: uhuh

By Etsp on 8/27/2007 11:33:09 AM , Rating: 2

The term "showstopper" is more like, the "show" was stopped because people were in awe of the object, and focus was directed towards it as a result, rather than dislike for it caused people to focus on it.

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RE: uhuh

By crystal clear on 8/27/2007 11:55:49 AM , Rating: 2

Showstopper-a performer or performance that wins enthusiastic or prolonged applause.

Not the right choices of words to describe the above product-neither the price nor the performance.

You can do better & cheaper with the PS3 set up.

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RE: uhuh

By 16nm on 8/27/2007 12:03:26 PM , Rating: 1

Here's a FREE english dictionary:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/showstopper

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The 2nd Hard Drive is Nice

By kelmon on 8/27/2007 2:35:29 PM , Rating: 2

While I'm most definitely in the Apple camp I'll give Sony kudos for allowing the user to easily add a second hard drive. The article doesn't mention is but you can just open a flap and push in a 2nd drive, which is a darned sight easier to do for the casual user than the average desktop tower. The iMac most definitely can't compete on this point since there's no space for a 2nd drive and the first can't be replaced since it's positioned in the centre of the unit.

1080p for 20" display? and I thought I needed bigger display than my 42"

By bigpow on 8/27/2007 6:27:34 PM , Rating: 2

What's the point?

1680x1050 is good enough for 20" display (I have a Samsung 206BW, and it's 1680x1050)

Go bigger and you'll want that higher resolution.
I've a Westy 42" 1080p and even that is too small from 10 feet away (meaning I could probably get away with 720p 42" OR I need 50"/60" 1080p TV instead of the tiny 42").

1080p on small displays is only being used for marketing purposes - when people shop based on paper reviews.

What's next? HDCP over HDMI for 20" LCD?? So that people could watch (DRM-enforced) movies on small displays and tiny monitor speakers? Gimme a break!

A cheap copy

By AtaStrumf on 8/27/2007 10:08:54 PM , Rating: 2

While Sony and Apple are certainly not my favorite companies, I do like the fact that they offer something new to the market and hopefully, someone will eventually make a cheap(ish) copy of it for the masses :)

What about HP?

By mmeytin on 8/27/2007 10:52:22 PM , Rating: 2

I'm a bit surprised Apple was the only competitor mentioned in the article and comments. What about HP TouchSmart? It has something that neither Apple nor Sony offer - touch screen. Starts at $1700: http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computers/deskt... Hardware is a bit outdated, but I'm sure a refresh is probably coming soon.

Also Dell has an interesting machine with its XPS M2010: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetail... Of course at $3K this overgrown "notebook" is the priciest of the bunch.

-M-