A Critical Product Review of the Sony VAIO VGC-LT16E Desktop 22" PC/TV All-In-One

Somewhere between a laptop and a desktop comes these all in one offerings. A number of manufacturers have started to release these space saving devices but more often than not these are mediocre computers bound with great monitors because let's face it, a great screen will sale a computer. With that being said I have my hands on Sony's 22" VGC-LT16E behemoth, and I'm going to let you know how it fares. Let me start with some of the basics.

Hardware:

Display: 22" XBrite flat pannel

Processor: 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500

RAM: 2GB (DDR2, expandable up to a 4GB maximum)

Optical Drive: CD R/RW with integrated double layer DVD +/- R RW

Storage: 320GB (SATA Hard Drive)

Imaging: Integrated Web Cam (1.3 MegaPixels)

Graphics accelerator: Integrated Mobile Intel Graphics X3100 (shares memory with system ram)

In the Box: Wireless keyboard and mouse, IR Remote

The first thing you notice aside from its striking spacing saving slim stature is the 22 WSXGA LCD screen cranking away at an ultra crisp and bright resolution of 1680 x 1050. This has to be one of the better displays available in the all-in-one market, only to be compared to the Apple all in ones. The processor is fairly strong but the 2GB of RAM makes it feel a little sluggish. Vista is notorious for its hogging of system resources. I would recommend upgrading the RAM, you have the ability to expand to as much as 4GB which would be my recommendation. Also do this yourself or have someone other than Sony install it, they'll charge you a fortune.

Second is the trial ware they place on this thing. It is absurd, there is so much it seriously lags the computer at start up and as these programs continue to run in the system try they really suck away some of this all in one's power. Sony is notorious for this, and the worst part is that the majority of these programs are completely useless!

Connectivity:

WiFi (to connect to your LAN wirelessly)

1 Ethernet Port

Surround sound audio out

Memory stick / SD card readers

1 Composite out / in

S-Video in / out

5 2.0USB ports

1 standard audio out / mic in

Expresscard 32

1 Modem port

The connectivity is a little paltry for a desktop but since this is a Vaio (essentially a laptop with a huge screen) then I guess it is decent. This desktop is almost more television than PC. I'm getting more enjoyment out of it that way then anything. This is a great option for those looking to save space or to kill some time at work. The screen is fantastic the computer itself is mediocre. The graphics card is a joke so don't expect to do a whole lot in the way of gaming, plus its integrated so you won't be upgrading that. For the money it is probably on target thanks to the killer display but it isn't worth it to me.