Sony's new Vaio L series all-in-one desktop

Okay, NEC. So, you think you're so bad, now that you've managed to announce no fewer than 26 new computers in a single day. Well, all we can say is, don't mess with Sony. In addition to showing off its Blu-ray totin' RC300, the company is also dropping something like 41 other Vaio models, including upgrades to the H, V, F and S series, and a whole new line called the VGC-L series. We'll start the show with the L, an all-in-one desktop with a either a 19-inch 1680 x 1050 or 15.4-inch 1280 x 800 LCD display. The line comes with a range of processor options, including a Core Duo T2300 at 1.66GHz or a Celeron M 420 at 1.6GHz. Sony also throws in a dual-layer burner, 200GB drive and FeliCa port (these are Japan-only models, remember). The keyboard is designed to fold up on top of the display, leaving just enough displayed to allow access to audio controls via the included remote. And although Sony's including XP Home (we would have liked MCE as at least an option), Sony is certifying these as "Vista Capable," making them among the first new boxes out of Japan to carry that shiny new sticker. Prices range from ¥160,000 (about $1,350) to ¥220,000 ($1,855), depending on configuration.

[andy @ Apr 12th 2006 8:59AM]

looks like a dodgy 80's films interperetation of a future computer haha

[zverg @ Apr 12th 2006 9:32AM]

I definitely like the design, it looks good with the computer "floating" in the plexi frame like that. I'd like it more if it were a darker color and the glass was perfectly clear (which the glass may be, it could just be the way the picture is).

[doug @ Apr 12th 2006 9:40AM]

zverg, they probably made the picture like that so that you could tell the display is supported by the glass and not by some column in the back, maybe.

[BobbyW @ Apr 12th 2006 10:09AM]

reminds me of that 20th anniversary Mac that Seinfeld had on the set for a few years. Nothing to see here.

[SHOCKWIRE Sports @ Apr 12th 2006 10:15AM]

Wow this is an awesome new computer. It is great to see the technological advances that continue in the world.

[bob @ Apr 12th 2006 10:30AM]

that keyboard looks very flimsey and cheap

[Vas @ Apr 12th 2006 10:57AM]

This is what I have been expecting from Vaio since I saw the floating design Wega TV). Finally they made it. Another plus point about this design is you can detach the keyboard unlike the W and M series, which gives the user more flexibility. And a built-in Motin Eye for those Visual Communicators, and the 15" PC looks very slim too
I am disappointed about the spec especially the 512RAM and no BluRay Drive:-(

8.5/10 for the Design :-)

[daschupa @ Apr 12th 2006 3:44PM]

Nice looking, though if it were raised a bit it would get a few more points for usefulness. Thanks to sony for being a company that actually has a good design style.

[ocellnuri @ Apr 12th 2006 4:06PM]

I LOVE Sony's design... they are always top notch. However, does anyone else think that the mouse included with these systems looks like something from the mid-90's? It just ruins the whole vibe to me.

[glacia00 @ Apr 12th 2006 9:26PM]

Good looking design although all-in-ones are time bombs waiting to die because of heat. The move to the wide format screens are really scaring me also. To get a descent (not great) vertical usability you have to get up around 24" and at that point it's a horizontal monster on your desktop. But anything smaller just feels vertically cramped for regular computer use.

[Pip @ Apr 13th 2006 11:12AM]

So its uglier and more expensive than an iMac.

Why bother?

You can buy an iMac that runs OSX and XP, or buy this, that can only run XP.

Gee, tough choice!

[glacia00 @ Apr 13th 2006 12:07PM]

Pip, It's all about personal preference and we all simply have to accept it. You may love the way something looks and someone else hate it but it's all just oppinion.

You may love the look of an imac while I think they're ugly and there's simply to arguement because it's personal preference.

[glacia00 @ Apr 13th 2006 12:16PM]

Typo...

"Simply 'no' arguement." Simply 'to' is what usually happens here. ;)

[wisnu @ Apr 22nd 2006 9:21AM]

Hi all,

I just dropped in at Yodobashi camera today and I must say, I love this model a lot, compare to all the other PC models announced by other vendor. This thing is stylish, screen looks sharp. Really looking forward to owning this one soon. The only issue I have is the fact that it only takes analog TV, something that will be eliminated in Japan by 2011!

[dznylvr @ Apr 30th 2006 11:49AM]

I just returned from Japan and stopped by the Sony buildiing and played with this thing for a half hour.
The screen is amazing and with the keyboard flipped up it still leaves a portion of the screen visiable with the time, calendar, and a "to Do" list on it.

If I could have got the thing to run english windows I would have brought on home.

The price at Laox was about 150,000 yen for the low end version.

[Vas @ May 11th 2006 5:37PM]

If they added Blu-ray it would be nice. Because when it arrives to America and Europe it would be outdated. People will be looking for the next generation of DVD. Just a thought Sony.

[NineTailedFox @ May 12th 2006 11:14PM]

Saw these the other day. VERY nice. Shame there aren't higher-spec versions available, but the Japanese market seems heavily geared towards internet and multimedia rather than more demanding tasks, and the usual spec reflects that.

zverg, the glass is clear.

doug, it doesn't look as sleek from the sides or back (it's not as flat as an iMac), but when you're in front of the computer, it does appear to "float".

bob, I was concerned about that, but it feels pretty solid in the flesh. Incidentally, while the smaller model's keyboard is integrated and flips up, and includes a built-in touchpad off to the right, the larger model (pictured) has a separate wireless keyboard and mouse. They're quite different designs (or seemed to be. It might just have been the way they were being displayed, but the smaller model looked very much like a W, and the larger one more like a V).

daschupa, I agree about the height issue. I didn't see any obvious answer to it.

glacia00, I find "tallscreen" displays horizontally restrictive now... ; ) The displays on these look great, and have quite high resolution, so it feels like they've got extra space to the sides, rather than as if they've had the tops sawn off. The bigger one, especially, would easily accomodate two windows side-by-side.

Pip, I'm a fan of the iMac design, but looking at it after examining these machines, it looks a bit bloated and frumpy (from the front, anyway). It also doesn't have the TV tuner, which makes it less of a genuinely all-in-one solution for a tiny Japanese apartment.

wisnu, 2011 is a long way away in computer years. That's about the point at which you'd be getting desperate for an upgrade anyway, isn't it?

Vas, they'll update the specs on later versions, presumably.

[NineTailedFox @ May 12th 2006 11:20PM]

More pictures.

http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/L1/gallery.html

[Bashar Mezher @ Apr 3rd 2007 9:56AM]

Just Great.
I would very much appreciate you telling me the price and when it should be out in the middle east markets. thanks.

[Robin Gabl @ May 18th 2007 4:41PM]

Bashar,
This is an old friend, Robin Gabl. I have been thinking of you recently and thought I would try to "google" you. It worked! I hope all is well. By your question, I suspect you are in Lebanon. Are you? Are you practicing now? I hope you write back and catch me up on things. My e-mail is [e-mail]. I look forward to talking to you!

Robin