W600g

by Sony

Product Details

• ASIN: B0001GQATI
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #422,884 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 7, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-W600G features a stylish, sophisticated all-in-one design, which features a folding keyboard that closes in on the sleek 17.5-inch LCD screen. It features a bevy of Sony multimedia software applications, including the Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, which enables you to watch live TV and record shows for playback when you want it. It also features a fast 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor, large 160 GB hard drive combo DVD-RW/CD-RW drive, ultra-fast USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity, and 512 MB of installed RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos, and MP3 collection.
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor is fast will come in handy for processor intensive tasks such as digital photo or video editing--but it is in the upper middle range for this processor. It also has a 533 MHz FSB (front-side bus) and 512 KB L2 cache.
• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 1 GB (2 x 512 MB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes equipped with a combo DVD-RW/CD-RW drive (which is not compatible with DVD+R/RW discs). The CD-RW drive has 16x write, 8x rewrite, and 24x read speeds. The DVD-RW has an 8x playback speed and a 1x write/rewrite speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It features a full-size keyboard that's connected to the PCV-W600G's LCD, and folds when not being used.

Sound and Graphics
The PCV-W600G offers an SIS 651 integrated video/graphics card built into the motherboard and 32 MB of shared memory, which is a low-cost and effective solution for 2-D programs, but will not be strong enough for immersive 3-D PC games. The 17.5-inch flat panel LCD screen has a widescreen aspect ratio (WXGA). The PCV-W600G features an integrated AC'97 (Audio Codec '97) that is also built into the computer's main board. The built-in speakers provide SRS WOW virtual surround sound.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a decent amount of computer and video connectivity options for the PCV-V200G's size, including::

• 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; 4-pin) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type II)
• 1 VHF/UHF line in
• 1 S-Video line in
• 1 Composite Video line in
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 Memory Stick card slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92), and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The PCV-J200 comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents) as well as a 60-day trial for Microsoft Office 2003. Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine.

Other preloaded Sony software includes Click to DVD (DVD creation), PictureGear Studio (digital photo), DVgate Plus (digital video), SonicStage (digital music), and Vaio Media (Network file sharing). Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD, MoodLogic 2.5 Trial, Intuit Quicken 2004 New User Edition, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple QuickTime, RealNetworks RealOne Player, Photoshop Elements, Norton Internet Security (90-day trial).

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 20.4 x 12.1 x 7.4 inches (W x H x D) with the keyboard closed (or 15.2 inches deep with the keyboard open) and weighs 26 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCV-W600G desktop PC, remote control, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars software, service and hardware issues, February 29, 2004

By 

Stanley Deutsch (New York,, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: W600g (Personal Computers)

This machine should only be purchased as an entertainment center. Other than for casual use, unless they are able to resolve their software problems, it is unusable as a computer.

I just purchased a W600G and find it difficult to adjust to the keyboard. The keys are too flat. It was cleary designed for beauty - not functionality. Because the keyboard is attached to the screen, you must move the entire machine to make angle adjustments and you cannot adjust its rake. For the money the keyboard should be detachable (certainly a slot-in device can be designed. Additionally, for this price the CD/DVD dive is flimsy. Its design makes it difficult to insert and press home discs without flexing the drive.

That is the good news.

The bad news is software and service.

THe machine is three days old and from the first moment the software failed. As yet nothing is plugged into the computer and no software has been added. Yet programs such as Explorer were unable to close causing the computer to restart, the crucial recovery program which enables you to produce back up CD and DVD's refused to write to the disc, (the drive worked perfectly for all other uses), and the computer has closed down on its own. Although the software- based restore option worked, that option is no longer available because the software cannot find its resore partition on the hard drive. Only the Sony program was able to erase discs, not Word.

These problems persisted despite reformatting the drive using the option in the recovery program that operates without discs.

Sony's service's response to all of this after over four weekend hours on the phone with various service representatives, was that my software has become currupted by the loading of hardware drivers (such as printer drivers). When I informed them this was unlikely and that in any event, they must have failed to remember that I had not yet attached any hardware to the computer, they politely but firmly told me I had to purchase a back up CD.

It should be noted, that unless my drive was factory formatted with a currupted image, (highly unlikely), Sony's master software may be defective and/or suffer from built-in conflicts with some of the other third party software loaded on the computer by the factory.

Service is unable to help with software. They refer you to the manufacturer of third pary software. With respect to Sony software they refer you to the online help line. If you have hardware problems you will end up mailing the fragile computer to a sevice center. If you purchase the very expensive on site warranty, you will still be dealing with the same folks. If you require replacement software, even if you are unable to produce your own back-up disc because of software defects, you will be told software replacement is not covered by the warranty. If you you object, although your computer may only be days old, you will be told to carefully read your warranty.

Therefore, do not buy this product unless you are prepared to live without support. It often takes a considerable period of time to raise service from the dead and unless you are very very lucky you will end up speaking with a perfectly nice man or woman from India whose understanding of English is limited (they communicate with you in much the same manner as does computer voice recognition). They are often difficult to understand. Worse, they have no understanding of the product. They read from information screens that tell them what to tell you and constantly ask you to give them time to check your records, the database etc. Each time, you are put on hold for interminable periods of time. In the end, unless it is the most basic of problems, you will be told they have to escalate you to the next level of service. You may then, after a very long hold, be able to speak with an American, but he too will be bereft of knowledge.

If you require service, go with a less attractive computer - entertainment center. I have just been told they are out there at the same price with far better specs.

In all other respects the 600G is a fine piece of industrial design.

I am returning mine within the 30 day period (from date of shipment!).

Stanley Deutsch

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me smile . . . ., March 22, 2004

By 

"mikesea7" (Rockport, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: W600g (Personal Computers)

Every time I walk into our den I break into a smile just to see our new Sony PCV-W600G Vaio. Sony deserves a lot of credit for breaking the mold and coming up with a totally new design for the desktop computer, with a fold-up keyboard, an elongated screen, and a space-age clock. It's perfect for our mid-century (1950's) style den.

And the PCV-W600G isn't just pretty. We've been thrilled with the ease and the speed of our new computer. Other than the recommended copying of all the software onto recovery disks (in case of some unspecified potential disaster), which took two hours, the set up was a breeze. Being an eternal pessimist, I kept waiting for the big glitch and the resulting 3 hours on the phone with some technician halfway around the world. It never happened. And, for the first time, we have a computer that doesn't dawdle after each click.

We've yet to explore all of this computer's potential. We haven't tried, for example, to hook up the TV cable to the computer yet. But, for the word processing, web surfing, email, and music listening that we have done, we are totally satisfied.

I know that there are more powerful computers out there, and some may be for less money, but I don't think any of them would bring a smile to my face the way my Sony does.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, functional and fun to look at., June 10, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: W600g (Personal Computers)

This Vaio was always fun to look at and I finally purchased this Vaio PCV-w600g. Watching TV on the 17.5 inch LCD monitor is a joy and the SIS speakers, though they receive complaints, do quite well.

I do suggest a wireless keyboard for long duration typing. The keyboard is somewhat difficult to use, but isn't too bad for minimal stuff.

The design is by far the best feature, its good lookign in any room and completely functional.

I don't think there is a better deal on the market for a 17 inch LCD TV, let alone one that functions as a computer as well.

My only suggestion is that you add a second stick of 512mb RAM. This really wakes up the computer.