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Sony VAIO® VGC-RA840G PC DesktopMultimedia muscle for your next-generation A/V entertainment demands. The VAIO® RA840G Digital Studio PC is the ultimate in multimedia...
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Multimedia muscle for your next-generation A/V entertainment demands. The VAIO® RA840G Digital Studio PC is the ultimate in multimedia desktop computing. Edit high-definition camcorder video. Master your own music recordings. Turn your home movies into high-quality DVDs4. You have the power with an Intel® Dual-Core Processor146, Serial ATA hard drives in RAID 0 configuration (optional on model RA840G), a DVD+R Double Layer/DVD±RW drive25, and PCI Express 16x graphics. Plus, there's room to expand with capacity for multiple drives. No matter how demanding the tasks, the VAIO® RA840G Desktop remains cool and quiet with Sony's innovative liquid cooling system and advanced noise-reduction technology. Powerful. Empowering. The ultimate in multimedia desktop computing.
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4 Reviews from Shopping.com
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Absolutely no complaints
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Quiet; Cool; Great Sound; Functional PVR; Functional JukeBox with Video
Cons: Poor Placement of AV connectors on front. Flimsy fold-down access door.
The Bottom Line:
I would recommend the VAIO line. My review says it all.
I purchased this PC, about 6 months ago, as a replacement for an E-Machines (T2865) that had given me nothing but grief. I waited for an "DEAL" from COMPUSA and got it for $899 (MSRP $1399) about 6-7 months ago.
After the purchase, I immediately added an extra 1GB of 4200 Dual Channel RAM to bump it too 2GB (The max & 4x512M). The system did not take to the additional ram and for some reason it would not boot after the install. It failed with a "DISK NOT RECOGNIZED" message. I used the "RECOVERY" facility to reflash the boot drive to factory configuration and I was off and running. Never let anyone tell you "you don't need a backup, I'm only ... " because it's not true.
With Windows MCE, it works very well as a PVR and using readily available editing/encoding tools the conversion from MS-DVR format to MPG is a snap. My library of Stargate Episodes is almost complete.
On that subject, the 5.1 surround sound system is awesome. It sounds a good as my home stereo system.
With the HDMI output you can connect the system to most new technology LCD/PLASMA/Projector HD TVs for an awsome picture. I personally use the HDMI for one input into my SyncMaster 730b and the Analog input from a second computer to allow for a shared monitor configuration.
With Sony's "liquid" cooled case this pc is the quietest I've ever owned.
I highly recommend this line of computers, forgoing any comments regarding Corporate Sony's poor decision regarding rootkits.
I still wish it was faster, even with a 2.8Ghz Dual Core Intel Chip it drags when doing heavy duty video encoding, but when MCE is recording shows it is not even noticable.
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