Sony VAIO VGC-RB34G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 540J, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW, DVD-ROM Drives)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15.6 x 15.3 x 7.4 inches ; 26.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 35 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00079F7MK
• Item model number: VGC-RB34G
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 30, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio VGC-RB34G desktop entertainment PC comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. Convert your VHS or 8mm home videos to DVD discs to share with the whole family via the dual-layer, multiformat DVD burner. Store hundreds of hours of your music collection on the extra-large 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive. You can also watch and record your favorite TV programs (via the built-in TV tuner) using the Giga Pocket personal video recorder (PVR). This multimedia PC also features 512 MB of installed RAM, a fast hyperthreading 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 processor, a multiformat memory card reader compatible with the most popular digital camera formats, and stereo speakers. For a step up in price, the Vaio VGC-RB38G features a 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM, and a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor.

The Basics Hard Drive: This entertainment-centric desktop is loaded with a 200 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive, which offers higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0--than typical ATA hard drives. Processor: The hyperthreading 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate, and a 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.) A hyperthreading processor helps a PC run several demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (parts of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance, such as faster reaction times in gaming applications, and enhanced multitasking.

The Giga Pocket personal video recorder turns your RB34G PC into a multimedia entertainment center. You can watch TV, record your favorite shows, and play them back right on your PC in high-quality digital format.

• Memory: The VGC-RB34G comes with 512 MB of installed PC-3200 DDR RAM (400 MHz). This is a good start, but you'll want to max out the 2 GB capacity (which is a bit small for such a multimedia powerhouse) for your 3-D gaming and video-editing needs.
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 8x write/4x rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 16x write/4x rewrite speed. DVDs are read at 8x. For double-layer DVD+R, it has a 2.4x write speed. For CDs, it has a 32x write/24x rewrite speed. It also has a separate DVD-ROM drive with 16x DVD read speed and 40x CD read speed.
• Keyboard and Mouse: It comes with a standard Vaio keyboard and optical mouse, which connect via the PS/2 ports on the back

Graphics and Sound
The ATI Radeon X300 SE is a high-end video card, powerful enough to run one large virtual screen across two displays. It features 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, S-Video and the higher-fidelity DVI connections out, and PCI Express x16 support, which enables graphics to process faster.

The RB34G provides a number of ports including composite video/audio, coaxial video input, and S-video inputs for incorporating into your media center.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots For expansion, the VGC-RB34G has two 5.25-inch half-height external bays (occupied), one external 3.5-inch bay (occupied) and four internal 3.5-inch bays (one occupied), two PCI slots (occupied), and one x16 PCI Express (occupied). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors: 6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 6-pin in front, 1 4-pin in rear) 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice 1 VGA/DVI-D monitor port 2 S-Video inputs (front and rear) Composite video/audio inputs (front and rear) Coaxial video input (VHF/UHF) 1 microphone, 1 headphone, 1 line-in Multiformat memory card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port for a 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems. Dimensions and Weight This multimedia desktop measures 7.13 inches wide by 16.9 inches high by 15.24 inches deep and weighs approximately 25.35 pounds.

Preloaded System and Software
The preinstalled Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Record and watch your TV programs with the personal video recorder (PVR) powered by Giga Pocket engine. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation) PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), and DVgate Plus (digital video). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Works 8.0, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Intervideo WinDVD, Sonic RecordNow, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), and SpySubtract.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGC-RB34G desktop PC, two stereo speakers, keyboard, mouse, IR blaster, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty.

Product Description

Preloaded with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Sony VGC-RB34G is geared to exceed the needs of the average user. It's designed to promote and extend one's creative energies with extensive multimedia powers. In addition to the DVD+/-RW Drive (that also acts as a CDR/CDRW drive, the DVD writer also has a DVD+R dual-layer drive for recording up to 850GB on a DVD+RDL disc. Super rapid data and video processing adds professional power and punch for digital-video and digital-camera work. In addition, this model includes Sony's Giga Pocket TV tuner and personal video recorder for viewing and recording TV shows. All this plus lots more with loads of expansion headroom to take your VAIO(R) PC experience wherever your passions and desires lead. Multi format digital-media card reader/writer Memory Stick, CompactFlash Type I and Type II, XD-Picture Card, SD/MMC, IBM Micro Drive) 128MB Video memory with ATI Radeon X300 video processor - delivers enhanced visual quality and performance for today's and tomorrow's graphics-intensive digital photo and video applications, web-surfing and gaming Microsoft DirectSound for superb audio processing and streaming Includes PS2 Mouse and PS2 Keyboard; 2 Sony speakers Sony 1-Year Limited Warranty with Onsite Service Connections - Seven USB 2.0 (three front/four rear) / Two PS/2 (Mouse/Keyboard) / One VGA / DVI Monitor Port / One TV-In/Out Port One S/PDIF Out / One Printer Port / One 6pin i.LINK(R) IEEE1394 Port (rear) and One 4pin (front) / One Headphone / One Microphone / One Line In / S-Video - Two Inputs (front and rear) / Composite Video / Audio Inputs (front and rear) / Coaxial Input (VHF/UHF) Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and comprehensive business, utility, and multimedia software are pre-installed on hard-drive by Sony

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have the $$$...This one won't disappoint!!, July 22, 2005

By 

E. Magante "koa1aboi" (fontana, ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGC-RB34G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 540J, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW, DVD-ROM Drives) (Personal Computers)

I got this computer about a week ago and i have to say...i havent seen a solid computer like this in years (well besides apple's g5)...i actually bought an hp media center computer(a1129n) before i got the vaio, but unfortunately, i had to return the hp for some problems...1st, the hard drive wasnt connected to the power supply so the computer couldnt recognize the OS after initial boot...(thanks to my technical knowledge i figured that one out)..but what pissed me off the most is after loading all the programs i needed, setting up media center and uploaded my music, the screen randomly flickers then turns the monitor into a completely white screen...its not the monitor since ive tried different monitors and its doing the same thing. well a new HP turned out a piece of junk..then i thought of the Vaio...got it at bestbuy for $919 with a hundred dollar rebate which is a fairly good deal...once i turned it on...everything was so smooth...im using 30Gb right now and it feels nothing...i am not sure with playing games as far as the graphics is concern..but i mostly do audio and video stuffs so it works perfectly for me..**if you are going to use more than 50gigs of hard drive space, i suggest to install at least 1GB of memory..apart from that..almost perfect but i still give it 5 stars...

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice Computer - But . . . !, October 18, 2009

By 

C. C. Mantis "Exposed" (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGC-RB34G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 540J, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW, DVD-ROM Drives) (Personal Computers)

I got this from Best Buy some 2 years ago and for the first year it worked great. Then it started acting up. By that I mean it would crash with more than two programs loaded on it. After adding fans (thinking it could be CPU heating up)that seemed to help a little, but not enough to be workable. So, I shelved the system and bought another HP desktop. Now, I'm opening an office and need one more computer. I fire this up and guess what - - - after one year of non use it seems to be working fine again. Go figure? Just keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to work normally. Lots of bells and whistles but is a P-4 technology so memory maxes out at 2 GB. All in all I can only give this a three star so far, but I'm hoping it can make up some lost time and I will be happy with this machine. I did add an LG Flatron 22" monitor to this system which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE - they are so nice I got three others, plus a 42" LG LCD for the office. The display means just about everything to me as it's the main connect from our brain to the computer.

7 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sony RB34G - MCE, March 7, 2005

By 

Old Timer "Auggie" (Central USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGC-RB34G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 540J, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW, DVD-ROM Drives) (Personal Computers)

Interesting "Box" , right off the shelf ! Hell to pay in getting it setup. Three (3) separate vendor firewalls activated all at the same time. Once you got on to that , setup went well.Windows XP MCE 2005 pre-installed and NO Microsoft MCE CDs. ON-Line support (Weak answers) and Telephone support EXTREMELY Bad ; more interested in telling you what they do not support; No real HELP;YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN! Make sure to update Windows MCE first thing and all security patches. Adding additional Memory (it only has 256) , and adding additional hard drives (Video "eats up" Storage) VOIDS the warranty and service! Best get a Windows XP OEM MCE "Box" at Gateway, HP or other. Still it was FUN to set up and start using. Nothing like "offsetting" basketball games for later viewing in high Defination.