Job well done Sony.
Written: Mar 25 '00 (Updated Mar 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Reliable. Loaded with powerful software and hardware.
Cons: Lacks MS Works Suite 2000. Makes upgrading to MS Office Expensive.
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| xaphan9's Full Review: Sony VAIO PCV-R547DS PC Desktop |
The purchase of a new computer evolved into a two-year research project. My last purchase was anything but rewarding and I had no intention repeating it. Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, E-Machines, CompUSA’s Pro-Series, and NEC were investigated. My goal here is to convey: 1. Why I chose the Sony VAIO PCV-R547DS, 2. The model’s configuration and preloaded software, 3. Expandability, and 4. How this computer compares to others I’ve operated.
Dell was the front-runner until I saw the Sony VAIO at CompUSA. Sony’s contender-for-my-cash came out of nowhere. Had the purchase been in Dell’s favor I’d probably be a very satisfied customer. I WAS reluctant to buy a Sony PC. However, the more I said it, “SONY…COMPUTER,” the scales tipped in its favor. Here’s why: The system possesses more than I wanted in a PC and more important (for me), it's SONY. I am not a “name brand” person. Your experience with Sony may or may not have been as successful as mine. I own a Sony Trinitron TV, two Sony Discmans, Sony Walkman, Sony VCR, Sony Hi8mm Camcorder, Sony DVD player, Trinitron monitor, Sony 5.1ch surround sound system, and a Sony PlayStation. Each time I bought a Sony product it was because there were NEVER any complications with previous purchases. For me, Sony has become synonymous with quality and reliability. Sony and I are “on a roll” and the VAIO is no exception.
Unlike my last home-computer experience setting up the VAIO was painless. Everything was connected in a little over a half hour (including USB printer connection.) The PCV-R547DS is a mini-tower system. The standard hardware includes: a 600E MHz Pentium III, 8x DVD-ROM drive, 8x CD-RW, 3.5 Floppy, 16 MB nVidia TNT 2 Pro graphics card (non-integrated), 27 MB Hard Drive, 128 MB SDRAM, 16 MB Sound (although this may be integrated), a six-pin rear USB port, a front four-pin USB port, front and rear IEEE links, 56k Lucent V.90 modem, two open expansion ports, mouse, keyboard, and a “stereo active” speaker system (two speakers.) Monitor sold separately.
The VAIO’s operating system is the second edition of MS Windows 98. I could list all of the preloaded software but you wouldn’t like me very much if I did. It’s fortified with all the essential vitamins with plenty of hard drive to spare. Here’s the highlights: Adobe Acrobat 4.0, Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Editor 3.0, Adobe Premier 5.1 LE, Adaptec CD Creator, MS Word 2000, video editing and email, Sony Sonic Foundry Sound Forge, MSIE, Netscape, over a dozen ISP’s to chose from, and load’s more. The VAIO is a monster when applied to audiovisual applications. My one complaint is MS Works Suite 2000 wasn’t preloaded. The only PC I’ve seen lacking it. Upgrading to MS Office 2000 would have been more economical had Sony preloaded Suite2000.
The VAIO’s SDRAM is expandable to 256MB and as mentioned earlier there are two expansion slots (three if you want to upgrade the graphics card.) Beyond that, I’m not inclined to see if the current 600E can be upgraded to a 750. An acquaintance said he enhanced an older VAIO from a Celleron to a PII but I didn’t witness it.
My system is primarily used for home productivity software and work so MS Office Applications are frequently used. Compared to the PI’s and PIIMMX’s at work, the VAIO shamelessly blows them “out of the water.” Arguably, that is an apples and oranges comparison. The games I’ve played have looked and sounded fantastic and I don’t mean solitaire :). I genuinely enjoy this PC. Despite looking at a computer all day (work) I look forward to getting home to mine. As an added benefit, the VAIO is aesthetically awesome.
Obviously, anyone that entrusted the amount of money I did does not want to admit, “I made a mistake. My system sucks.” My sincerity and honesty is the best I can offer. If I had to do it all over again, nothing would change. Sony has created another powerfully reliable first class product. If I sound like a Sony Representative well, they earned it.
PS: VAIO means Video Audio Integrated Operation.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
xaphan9
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Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Reviews written: 1
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