Sony Vaio VGX-XL100 Viiv media PC

If you've been curious about whether Intel's new Viiv platform really makes for better media PCs, you won't have to wait too much longer to find out. Sony has announced one of the first Viiv-based PCs, the Vaio VGX-XL100. The low-profile PC comes with a Pentium D 920 at 2.8 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 250GB drive, dual-layer burner and HDMI out. (Most specs -- along with the case -- appear to be very similar to the current VGX-XL1, which is powered by a Pentium D 820 and comes with just 512MB RAM.) The VGX-XL100 is available for preorder in the UK for £999 (about $1,760) without a display. No word on a US release date or pricing.

[jfox @ Jan 13th 2006 11:10AM]

You know, you can build this thing for under $1000 on newegg.com. Not impressed.

[hmurchison @ Jan 13th 2006 11:38AM]

Ok jfox let's see the parts list you've constructed from newegg.

[Joe C @ Jan 13th 2006 12:00PM]

Point less with out the 200 disc changer. Also this system has an HDMI out video card, last time I checked ATI had a couple at CES that aren't for sale yet. There is a ton of video out puts on the thing, get a close look at it up and personal, a case as nice as this will cost you alone $300 on new egg. As for VIIV, its just marketing placement startegy like Centrino. AMD had alot of chips in Media Center PCs. VIIV is just trying to target Media Center segment and keep AMD out.

[Marcos @ Jan 13th 2006 12:09PM]

I love you Sony, but those dimensions are off. H (129mm) x D (400mm) x W (430mm) is equal to a box that is HxDxW 8" x 25" x 27", that's huge, more than 2 feet deep, and 2 feet wide. Doesn't make sense. Am I missing something here?

[Roger @ Jan 13th 2006 12:10PM]

Gimmick, the words Sony and pc = lots of cash

[Marcos @ Jan 13th 2006 12:14PM]

Wow, my bad. I thought there were 16 mm in 1 inch, don't know where I learned that. so it's really W x D x H 17" x 16" x 5". Good Size.

[sdsdv10 @ Jan 13th 2006 12:27PM]

hmurchison,



Here are the specs from the Sony website:

-------------------------------------------

Intel� Pentium� D Processor 920 (2.80GHz and 800 MHz FSB) and Intel� Pro/Wireless 802.11bg

Genuine Microsoft� Windows� Media Center Edition 2005 (English version)

250 GB (S ATA / 7200rpm) hard disk drive

1 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM (2*512 MB), maximum 2 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM

NVIDIA� Geforce� 6600 graphics card with 128 MB DDR SDRAM

Sound and Video Mastering Platform fully supporting the DSD Audio and HD Video standards

Super Multi Double layer DVD�RW drive

Wireless keyboard (QWERTY) with integrated touchpad and remote control bundled



From Newegg;

MS MCE 2005 - $130

NEC DVD-DL -$40

Intel CPU - $269

RAM(2x512DDR2) - $65

HD(250GB SATA) - $90

945P motherboard - ~$100

6600 video card(with HDTV out) - ~$150

Adds up to $844, that leaves ~$150 for a case, PSU and wireless keyboard. Maybe not exactly $1K, but pretty close.



One has to remember that $1760 is the price in the UK with VAT. Prices in the US are usually considerably lower, probably $1500 or less here.

[GeeksAreSexy @ Jan 13th 2006 12:34PM]

Sony Laptop/PCs/ YadaYada are overpriced, and frankly, I wouldn't even touch one from 100 miles away, just because of the company lack of respect toward their custommers.

[yournamehere @ Jan 13th 2006 12:44PM]

Horizontal is the new vertical.

[Kamalot @ Jan 13th 2006 1:19PM]

Does anyone still buy Sony?



I've had too many of their overpriced products fail on me to ever give them another cent.

[Joe @ Jan 13th 2006 2:41PM]

Will this have the specs to run the right version of Vista? Viiv feels pretty empty until the CableCard and D* HD tuners start to get integrated.

[Joe C @ Jan 14th 2006 12:56AM]

I've seen two of the older models hooked up to a Qualia 06 and a KDE-61XBR both running windows media high def movies. HD out from HDMI running 1080P is nicer than some half ass HD out from a dongle. The case to this machine is better than any $200 case I've seen for a component style ATX case. I just wish it had a second PCI-E slot.

[Stan @ Jan 14th 2006 11:07AM]

The next generation of this VAIO will have Blu-Ray and maybe 2 ATSC tuners, so I would wait... The DVD box does look huge, when I saw it in person. The Japanese model of this VAIO still rocks with 7 TV tuners!

[typer @ Jan 15th 2006 5:19AM]

I will give free xxx to whoever can tell me where to buy just that keyboard...it is sexy...!