Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Living Room PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 2 GB RAM, 300 GB Hard Drive, DVD±RW/±R Drive, Vista Premium)

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 16.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NX0DVU
• Item model number: VGX-TP1
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 2, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Minimalist in design though loaded with all the multimedia and connectivity features a modern living room requires, the Sony VIAO VGX-TP1 brings PC power to your TV while invigorating your interior design. Designed to blend with your modern home decor, the round, white VGX-TP1 comes equipped with a matching wireless keyboard and remote control, freeing you from the restraint of cables and tangled cords. But the VGX-TP1 is not just about form factor. With more and more television programs and movies becoming available for download--as well as videos from friends and family uploaded to sharing sites--the TP1 Living Room PC is a great way to enjoy an evening of video entertainment without having to huddle around a PC monitor.

You can also use the integrated NTSC (standard) and ATSC (digital) TV tuners in conjunction with Windows Vista Home Premium's Media Center capabilities to record programming (even in HDTV) directly to the VGX-TP1's hard drive. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

Frequently accessed features such as the optical drive, USB ports and multi-card reader are located on the front of the unit, hidden behind a curved slide-away panel, while constantly-connected terminals are hidden from sight on the back of the unit. For optimized video output to your LCD or plasma HDTV, it provides an HDMI connection that can transmit uncompressed 1080p video and 5.1-channel surround sound via a single cable.

Under the hood, VGX-TP1 s powered by the 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance. It also features an extra-large 300 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with up to 224 MB of shared video memory, 8x multi-format/dual-layer DVD±R/RW drive, 54g wireless networking (802.11b/g), multi-format Memory Stick reader, and a Secure Digital memory card slot.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 processor has a 1.83 GHz processor speed, super-fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  The Intel Core 2 Duo processor has two computational execution cores in a single processor, providing greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: The huge 300 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space--enough for storing up to 180 hours of television programming, a vast multimedia collection, or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory (PC5300, DDR2 SDRAM, 2 x 1 GB) maximizes the capacity for this machine, enabling you to effortlessly handle a wide variety of multimedia tasks right out of the box. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed.

• DVD/CD Drive: The dual-layer DVD drive is compatible with a wide range of formats, including both DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs, CD-RW discs, and dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data--great for backing up your MP3 collection or your most important documents. It features the following speeds: 4x for DVD+R DL, 4x for DVD-R DL, 8x for both single layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for single layer DVD+RW, 6x for single layer DVD-RW, and 24x/16x for CD-R/RW. It reads DVD-ROM discs at 8x and CD-ROMs at 24x.

• Keyboard & Mouse: Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably on your lap, the lightweight wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad also boasts a series of hot buttons including a web browser launch key, zoom in/out buttons and two additional programmable keys.

Video & Audio
Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides up to 224 MB of shared video memory. The integrated audio card is compatible with Intel High Definition Audio, and an S/PDIF digital audio output is included. It also includes a high-definition digital cable tuner with NTSC (standard) and ATSC (HD) support.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This desktop has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks, enabling you to access the Internet and other computers on your home LAN without having to connect via Ethernet (though a 10/100 Ethernet port is also provided). It offers the following multimedia and I/O ports:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (4-pin connector on front)
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• 1 composite audio/video input (RCA jacks)
• 1 VGA monitor out
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF digital audio out (for connecting to a home theater receiver for 5.1-channel surround sound)
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II, PCMCIA R2.01, PC Card16, CardBus)
• Memory Stick slot (supports optional Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, and Memory Stick DUO media)
• Secure Digital memory card slot (also compatible with MMC cards)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Sony Click to DVD (for easy DVD creation), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This PC measures 10.63 inches in diameter and 3.58 inches high, and it weighs 8.16 pounds.

Power
The VGX-TP1 has a power consumption rating of 130 watts (maximum).

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGX-TP1 Living Room PC, remote control (with batteries), wireless keyboard, HDMI cable, HDMI-DVI adapter, wireless antenna, AV cable adapter, RF cable, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, and Sony offers 1-year of toll-free telephone technical assistance.

Product Description

Sony CORE 2 DUO PROCESSOR T5600 1.83 GHZ;300 GB 7200RPM;2GB ((1GB/DDR2/667MHZ)X2);WIN

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exclent Choice, August 7, 2007

By 

H. A. Alattiyah (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Living Room PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 2 GB RAM, 300 GB Hard Drive, DVD±RW/±R Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

I bought this PC the day it came in and I really dont understand how can someone review any item without owning or using it just because its running with a new OS system and give it 2 out of 5 just becaus it has vista on it??? So here is reviwe from someone who has this item for more than 2 monts. First, it looks amazing, solid built and the Circular white shape gives it an edge above all other Multi Media PCs. Second, performance is solid and running window vista smoothly without any problems, third, you will have a verity of outputs, HDM,VGA,optical out and SV,AV for inputs for TV recording which works like a charm. I'm hooking it with the 70" Class Grand WEGA(tm) XBR(tm) series SXRD(tm) Rear Projection Full HD tv using HDMI through the Sony DG1000 Receiver and the Video(setting it at 720P) and Audio is just amazing. I got another one in my office hooked with the White LCD Samsung and it works smothly for all my office work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sleek and contemporary, February 10, 2008

By 

R. Garcia "R & G Garcia" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Living Room PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 2 GB RAM, 300 GB Hard Drive, DVD±RW/±R Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

This is a very awesome computer, and cool looking. We are using our LCD as a monitor and it looks great. The only problem that you might encounter when using a TV for the monitor is that the print on some of the websites might be too small to see and you will have to sit a little closer to the TV set. Other than that, it's a great product, and most people don't even know what it is!

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Problems from the Beginning, August 26, 2007

By 

T. Hanberg "skyhound" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 Living Room PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600, 2 GB RAM, 300 GB Hard Drive, DVD±RW/±R Drive, Vista Premium) (Personal Computers)

I can't give you an accurate review of this product as far as the features go if you can get it working, but I can give you an insight into how I feel their production units are not ready for prime time.

After receiving this item, I was quite excited to get it hooked up. Was surprised at how small the unit actually was - - the online pictures make you think it will be a bit larger but it's quite compact. The setup directions were OK, but it's more of the pict-o-graph format. There is NO owners manual, you have to print it out, which is a bummer.

After hooking it up to my Plasma I booted it up and the unit would not start up. It kept coming up with a Windows Error. I tried multiple restarts and power cycles to no avail. I called their tech support and they asked me to put in the restore disc. I was already a little uneasy that I would have to do this with something I just bought. After searching with the tech support on the phone for several minutes we determined that there is no system restore disc included with the item. Apparently the system restore is *ON* the disc itself, so it does no good for a system that won't boot up. I don't know if later production models will include the CD but mine surely did not.

Sony sent me a CD of the system restore but they mailed it to the wrong address (the tech support is in another country--and was not able to properly get my address due to language barriers). After a second call to them another disk arrived 2 weeks later. I put in the new disk and started the system restore. After 10 minutes of running, a blue screen came up and said "Fatal Error....". I tried this one more time but the same message. The unit now had no O/S on it at all, because it locked up during restore. At this point I just gave up and sent it back.

I was really looking forward to this unit, and had researched it online for months before release. I hope your experience will be a little better (the unit will actually work) but I've sort of lost faith in Sony PC division and in Vista / HTPC arena all together for now. I considered the more expensive Sony XL2 system but I'm uneasy with a Sony purchase right now. I'm looking into an Alienware Hanger 18 unit instead once it's released with Bluray in 2008.

Good luck to you should you choose to purchase this item. If it works, I bet it would be nice.