Macchina Bellissima
Written: Jul 13 '03 (Updated May 01 '04)
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Pros: Style, concept, large HD, widescreen, speakers, inexpensive
Cons: Processing speed still weak
The Bottom Line: Unique flavor of style that can't be satisfied by anything else. Powerful enough to do anything. Sony's W is the ultimate entertainment machine.
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| babyeddy7's Full Review: Sony VAIO® PCV-W20 PC Desktop |
Update
The PCV-W30 has replaced the recently discontinued PCV-W20. A 2.0GHz Pentium III microprocessor and 80GB hard drive is available on the new model. The W30 is identical to the W20 in all other respects. Expect a review soon.
Introduction to PCV-W20
The W is now available stateside wherever computers are sold. How did I get this so early? Well, since this is manufactured by Sony, it was released quite a while ago in Asia. The W was very well received in Japan and exceeded Sony's expected sales. My grandfather found this in a place called Shim Shui Po-Hong Kong's prime electronics district.
Here are some pictures of the W30:
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCV-W500/feat4_master.html
Overview
To some people substance is not everything. In some instances I would not mind sacrificing some performance for style. I believe that, in this new age, a computer is far more than a tool. In the world of Sony, an attractive computer can be a conversation piece and accent the decor or personality of a room. Style is a must. Take cell phones for instance- formerly hulking, ugly, boxy things. Now they're stylized to the max. It is finally the PC's turn to make this transformation.
Sony's top-selling Vaio desktops and notebooks may not be as affordable as what the competition can offer for the same hardware, but the competition sure can't come out with products that look half as good as Vaios. The new W definitely demonstrates the philosophy that a computer does not need to be just another boxy/bulky slave. It is fun and tantalizing just to look at. Imagine how wonderful it is to use. The W has a bold attitude not found anywhere else.
Style, ease of use, and excellent hardware and software applications meet. Not once in the history of the computer industry has anything so attractive been endowed with this infinite functionality.
Design and Features
Monitor
An adjustable 16:9 widescreen liquid-crystal display 15.3 inches from corner to corner- perfect for watching movies. Because this is widescreen, watching DVD movies is a totally different experience. It's hard to explain. The experience was similar to when I first watched TV on my widescreen tube. It's just different, and it seems more natural to be watching a movie on a 16:9 monitor. Widescreen is so neat, and it is exclusive to the W.
Computer processing unit (check Hardware section for more details on capabilities.)
Located behind monitor.
Drives
The DVD-R/CD-RW combo drive is also located behind monitor. Plays and reads data from DVDs, CDs, and VCDs. It's very convenient to watch movies, listen to music, back-up data, and transfer information with the use of one drive. Located on right side of computer.
Sound
Two 20-watt speakers with advanced voice coils are built-in at the upper corners of the monitor. The user can also use the auxiliary channel to play music from other sources using the built-in speakers. In addition there is one output to use other speakers.
Data transfer
A Memory Stick slot allows for seamless and quick transfer of music, pictures, or other data. Three USB 2.0 ports. Two i.LINK ports for digital imaging and printing.
Peripherals
State-of-the-art optical mouse supplied for maintenance-free use. Keyboard built-in. Low keys for silent typing and programmable buttons so programs of choice can be opened instantly with a single touch. Keyboard is vertically retractable, similar to a laptop. When the keyboard is in the closed position, speakers are not covered, and songs continue to play with song title, artist, etc. scrolling on the uncovered area of screen.
Frame
The junction of slim, sleek, and sophisticated. It's a pleasure to look at. Coated with magnesium composites for strength that exceeds that of titanium, lightness surpassing aluminum, and looks that go above and beyond the metal frame of the new E-Class Mercedes.
Power
Plug and play- put a single cord in the socket, and the system is ready to go.
Portability
At 20 pounds, the W is lighter than many desktop computers. It is very easy to carry to another room because of its diminutive size and weight. Also, the fact that it has only one cord makes it a cinch to move around the house to show off- no matter what room you are in. This enables you to place it in the kitchen to look up a recipe online, a bedroom to watch a movie, or even your living room to browse the web while watching TV. With the convenience of the W, you will find yourself using it all the time.
Hardware
The new, impressive, and aggressive W is already prepared to make its way into tens of thousands of preorderers' homes. Sure, some of the people that have put down their $1600 for this bought on impulse-this is more attractive than any PC. But don't forget all the great things located just behind that LCD screen-a 60 GB hard drive for nearly infinite storage, 512 MB of Double Data Rate DRAM (expandable to 1GB), a DVD-R/CD-RW combined drive, and a 1.8GHz Pentium III microprocessor. The latter seems a little awkward to be packaged with such a large hard drive and great memory capability, but the it's still very fast. Sony made great decisions when contemplating the contents of the W to keep it affordable while maintaining excellent hardware options.
Software
The W comes packaged with Windows XP Home Edition-Microsoft's prime operating system, Sony Picture Studio-for sharing and creating photo albums with digital photos, Sony SonicStage-to transfer music to Walkmans. It's also packaged with Vaio Media for sharing digital photos and music through home networking. There are many other software applications such as Corel Wordperfect 2002 and Corel Office.
Tech Support
Although you probably will never need to use it, Sony's tech support is excellent. After I got the W, I installed Windows 2000 and formatted my hard drive. I lost a couple software programs that had been factory installed, so I called Sony's technical support line. I did not even have to wait. After I provided the serial number, the employee gave me the file names of the programs to reinstall. I was kindly and promptly attended to; that is what customer service is all about.
Bottom line
The PCV-W30 is probably the world's most capable and versatile computer on the market. So add a little sophistication to your life and have fun doing it. There is nothing like the W.
All this for around $1600! Hard to believe? Understandably, yes. The truth? Yes.
To purchase, or to view interactive Flash demo, visit:
www.sonystyle.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1500
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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