Sony Vaio VGX-TP1 announced, loaded up with HDMI out, DVD burner

We're not sure how many people will go for the whole oversized-hockey puck look, but Sony seems to think that folks will definitely be into the new Vaio VGX-TP1. However, the Vaio isn't just a pretty face, it's filled to the brim with an HDMI out port, a DVD burner, a memory card slot, and the rest of the standard stuff like USB ports and audio out. There's a corresponding wireless keyboard that takes a note from Apple's white hardware line. It's due to hit in March for $1,600.

[Sonyc @ Jan 7th 2007 7:00PM]

Four years after iMac G4 ...

[Shell @ Jan 7th 2007 7:03PM]

Wow! Sexy design. I wonder what the specs and price tag are like.

[David @ Jan 7th 2007 7:11PM]

Everything that's white and hardware these days "takes a note from Apple. Puh-lease!

[... @ Jan 7th 2007 7:13PM]

So now anything that is white copies apple?

If I am not mistaken, all computers were white until a few years ago when companies started releasing black/siver...

oldschool maybe, but not apple

[eliasgreydrummer @ Jan 7th 2007 8:02PM]

You idiot,

The computers released were a beige type color (cream at best, but not white) and flat. Apple's newer hardware (and this new vaio entertainment PC) is a bleach-white lacquer.

[Buck Jones III @ Jan 7th 2007 7:17PM]

I agree, white products are not all designed by Apples. There is a reason that other manufactures use black and silver. I do like the look of this media center pc though. It's good to see some new designs launched with Vista.

[Brian @ Jan 7th 2007 7:28PM]

Kinda reminds me of one of the old PS3 concepts: http://games.tiscali.cz/specials/zaoponou14/ps3.jpg

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 7th 2007 7:33PM]

You can't say they didn't 'borrow' the minimalist Mac Mini approach. That- they definitely did.

Very portable looking, simplistic desktop computer. Great work on Sony's part. I was almost certian they'd be the ones to do something like this for Winblows.

Chirs

[Scott @ Jan 7th 2007 7:35PM]

I'm looking for a MCE box, so I will definitly be reading the reviews for this. I like the small size, but keyboard looks cheap. Would also be better if it came in black.

[icepop4who @ Jan 7th 2007 7:39PM]

i rather have a black one, just like the PS3, for a home device, as it will not sort of glow in the dark when playing a movie, theatre style. don't argue that you can hide it behind something or whatever, i'm still down with the black color, instead of white.

i don't really like the round design as it takes up more room than it should in your tv shelf or whatever. the keyboard and remotes look really hot though. i would like to know if the keyboard and remote are RF, IR, or bluetooth. i'm guessing that this doesn't come with a monitor.

[Chris @ Jan 7th 2007 7:39PM]

If you took a minute to get past the fact that he said that the keyboard was white, it also looks almost exactly like the keyboard for the new Macbooks. Yeah, jeez now it dawn's on you, doesn't it, you idiots. Stop criticizing the writing and just post about the product. So yes, he is right, it looks like they took a page from the Apple Product Design Book (C)

[Chris @ Jan 7th 2007 7:42PM]

dawns*

I added an apostrophe out of anger.

[farmok @ Jan 7th 2007 8:59PM]

I do think that they took a hint from apple since while you could argue that white has been around for a while with PC's, its apple that made the color hot.

Speaking on the system itself, the specs sound cool(whats been released), but i'm not a big fan of the design. If it was the only thing there, it would be ok, but trying to match it with other hardware does add some problems. It also seems like something you would find in a girls college dorm. It is a nice step in the right direction though, but i would wait to see what else they are squeezing in there to see if the purchase is worth the price they are asking. (and I think they should release in multiple colors)

[dave @ Jan 7th 2007 9:07PM]

Dudes, you have short memories. What, are you ALL 12 years old??

As someone else notes above, all generic PC's used to be beige. Then Apple came out with their candy-color iMacs, and people started going nuts with color. Then, Apple came out with the first flat-panel (iLamp) iMac, in white with clear acrylic trim around the edges of the screen. Lots of people thought at the time that a white computer was antiseptic- but there you go. Now, Apple's new ones are glossy white. That was '03, remember.

Here's your new Vaio, glossy white with what looks to be acrylic edges, with the Macbook's flat, square chiclet-style keys- again, the fanboys hated them til they actually tried them and discovered how well they work.

Oh, and Sony's fancy new all-in-one computer? White flat-panel display with an acrylic frame around it.

Dudes. Give me a break.

[potato @ Jan 7th 2007 9:17PM]

$1600 better come with a full system (monitor and all)... For a mini system $1600 is *ludicrously expensive* - certainly when the Mac Mini can be had for $500.

I do think Sony borrowed a page from Apple, but that's fine. Sony can do whatever they want, and I do like the look of this machine... but honestly, even with an HDMI out that the Mac Mini doesn't have, I don't see anything worth $1600.

[Michael @ Jan 7th 2007 9:22PM]

That looks so much better then the PS3.

[cuby @ Jan 7th 2007 11:30PM]

does it make me old that my first reaction to this was "hey, a sony hat-box!"

[Axiom @ Jan 8th 2007 5:57AM]

I have always wanted a pizza-stand.
so here it is....

[Endeavour @ Jan 8th 2007 9:59AM]

@ dave
"Here's your new Vaio [..] with the Macbook's flat, square chiclet-style keys- again, the fanboys hated them til they actually tried them and discovered how well they work."

Actually, Apple copied the MacBook keyboard from the 2003 VAIO X505 Extreme
http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/PCG-X505/Images/wallpaper_3_2.jpg

[mrsalty @ Jan 8th 2007 10:37AM]

Hey, it's a toilet bowl, I'm gonna put my wifes old ibook ontop of that and maybe use this as a portable john.

[black @ Jan 10th 2007 3:26AM]

white sux.

[Chalex @ Jan 10th 2007 11:36AM]

That would be super hot if it had Blu-ray.

[Bob @ Apr 27th 2007 10:52AM]

Surely it's a bit stupid having HDMI output with no BluRay in place?

[dom @ Feb 1st 2007 10:39PM]

I think everyone is missing the point here, its round white, a totally different look, but what about the hardware. its still just a regular pc. damn I'm sayin.... When can we get one of those holographic joints up in here?!!! All I'm saying is if I pay 1600 for some @#$ That looks like it fell out of the starwars universe.... it better live up to its look until then I'll stick wit my alienware

[Jeffrey @ Feb 6th 2008 7:50AM]

Points:
1) Until power management improves, I'd stick with a High-Def DVR for viewing and recording TV. I'm not aware of any PC's that can turn themselves on, record a show then turn off again and Sony just bundles existing parts.

2) At this point, combo BluRay/HD-DVD/DVD players for computers are getting cheaper. I'd build a system around this instead, like the LG GGW-H10N. I'm waiting for a $200 BD/HD burner.

3) Another important issue is the CableCard. Yeah, my Sony HDTV has its own tuners too but you are missing some information that a Cable/Satellite box provides. Also, you either have to leave your PC on to watch TV or purchase/rent a standalone box. Once computers idle at 25 Watts or less it's less of an issue.

If you can hold off there's some great things coming. ATI and NVidia already have hardware video decoders on inexpensive graphics cards, but ATI's working on a solution to allow automatic toggling between an efficient video chip and an add-on gaming card; this solves the main problem with putting a gaming computer in the living room as well as reducing fan noise.

[Dr Mcr @ Jun 26th 2008 11:05AM]

What is it about technology companies insistence on using letters and numbers to name their products...

VGX-TP1

very catchy.

All this says to me is that there is no permanence to the product, and will receive numerous increments to itself should it survive more than a couple of months. Playstation is an exception to the rule for Sony, but proves that good names work. Can you imagine the original Playstation launching with a name of

FXR-EM7

or something equally as daft.

If this product is anything other than a bog-standard PC in a drum shaped case, then why not call it Mediacenter or Mediastation. Having said that, this is probably a bog standard PC in a drum shaped case so maybe VGX-TP1 is fitting!