Customer Reviews

Sony VAIO PCV-RX580 Desktop (1.8-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

- uses cheaper PC133 SDRAM vs faster PC800 RDRAM, no memory expansion beyond 512K
- rather slow program starting
- low end video card options: I am using an NEC LCD1810x monitor which costs over $1500 and the video options provided with the RX580 show 2 low end 32MB cards, none with DVI. (To those who may not be familiar with DVI: The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a display interface developed in response to the proliferation of digital flat-panel displays. For the most part, these displays are currently connected to an analog video graphics array (VGA) interface and, thus, require a double conversion. The digital signal from the computer must be converted to an analog signal for the analog VGA interface, then converted back to a digital signal for processing by the flat-panel display. This inherently inefficient process takes a toll on performance and video quality and adds cost. In contrast, when a flat-panel display is connected to a digital interface, no digital-to-analog conversion is required.)

Other than these, machine is relatively cheap. For more flexibility, you might want to take a look at the Dell Dimension 8200 which is comparable in price and value.

I own many Sony products, laptops to walkmans to the new clie--and this latest entry in my collection tops them all. All the power, magnificence and productivity you could want--in a VERY affordable package. You will want for very little with this product--as you have a DVD-RW (which does make CD's as well), high speed CD player---Fast Fast Fast and Memory Galore. Added that nice 15.1" LCD Display-got the rebates and feel like I won the lottery on this one. You want top of the line for a great price--choose this one!!! You won't regret it.

I have owned my PCV-RX580 for less than thirty days. The minute the computer arrived at my front door I removed the modem and installed two network cards. One network card is a standard CAT5 LAN card while the second is a telephone line network adapter. The installed Windows XP Home operating system quickly found the new adapters and allowed me to configure them while automatically setting up a bridge to my DSL service and a firewall. I must admit that although I am an experienced computer user, I am not well versed with using Windows XP at this time. I was very impressed with the installed OS. I did not buy this unit for the strengths of video or music composition for which it was designed but more for the known reliability and compatibility of my installed networked PC's. I was less impressed with the overall performance of the Pentium 4 1.8GHz processor and 512Mb PC133 SDRAM. I have a networked PC with an AMD 1.3GHz processor and 512Mb DDR RAM that seems much snappier with response to loading programs and running multiple tasks. I expected this Pentium 4 to respond equally as well or better than my AMD 1.3GHz, but that was more an anticipation than a factual conclusion. My PCV-RX580 system came very well optioned with software, much of which I will rarely or never use. As previously mentioned, this unit is my main link to the internet and host to seven networked computers making this computer the heart of my system. My Vaio is the only Sony product on my network resulting the trusted link for my remaining system. I think that says it all for my confidence in Sony's reliability. I have all the big names linked to my home network yet one Sony got the leadership responsibility as a file server and key link to the outside world twenty four hours a day seven days a week. I am very pleased with the installed hardware along with the added ability to burn a DVD should the need arise. The PCV-RX580 is partitioned and tuned for the video and music afficionados however it is also perfectly suited for my needs as well

I am a gadget geek. I expect the highest quality products for the lowest cost, and usually receive that. In this case, I got more than expected. I bought his computer 5 years ago in January of 2000, and it still is VERY reliable. In fact, its the only one I use. I have only had two problems so far with the computer in its long 5 years existance. Once last year and once two years ago, it constantly was resetting and not logging on. It was cause by an internal error, but probably becasue it was old and not faulty chip set or anything. Also, warranty is a big problem. Sony expects you to dish out $90 to talk to you out of warranty. For people who don't care about looks or dvd writing ability, I reccomend this computer. It is reliable and sturdy. Also, it is very upgradable, so that is also a plus.

I have had several different brands of computers - dell, gateway, HP. Nothing comes close to this computer. It is fast, efficient and reliable.

I think that the computer has good value for money and quality, pretty much all round but the only thing that dents this almost flawless design is that it doesn't have an internal modem! The PC is photo quality and it has the adobe photo shop which is fantastic but I think that it would be complete with an internal modem, age:12

A word to the wise on Sony's Vaio line: I purchased one of the Sony slimline computers a year ago and had a hard disk failure within the first 9 months. This was covered by the warranty, so Sony replaced the drive at their expense. The replacement drive failed in about 6 months (when it and the system were off warranty). When I replaced *that* drive I discovered that Sony had given me a used disk when it did the warranty work.