New Computer - Sony VGCV2M?

[Marmite]

Ok, going to buy my first home computer ever! Im 25 and have never had one of my own so i think its about time. However, im starting to make it a cmoplicated purchase already - i was going to just get a decent dell for around 500-600 quid. But then i went down to Tottenham Court road the other day and starting seeing some very nice Desktops. And now ive kinda fallen for this Sony http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/CatalogueItem_22532.html

Its pretty expensive and to be honest i dont really need the TV functions. Despite this though, im sort of still looking at it thinking how nice it would look in my room. So i ahve two questions:

a) does anyone have one or know if its a good computer (reliabilty, speed etc - im not exactly clued up on what the specs really mean, apart from the basics sucjh as hard-drive and RAM).

b) Would it be possible to use that lovely screen that comes with it to hook up my consoles and DVD player, therefore using it for all my home entertainment? You see, im trying to justify the extra cost, and the screen is very nice!

Anyway, any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[Ciaran]

I think that is way over priced. You could buy a much higher spec PC for that if you bought the parts yourself or off dell.

You could play your DVD/consoles through the screen but it will look terrible and only accept composite or Svideo.

[Marmite]

Oh, misery. Guess thats out the window then!

[Ciaran]

Do you want to play pc games on your PC?

Are you willing to build your own?

[Marmite]

Games, im not sure about. Id like to have the option and ability to, but it doesnt necessarily have to be a pre-requisite. Building my own is a no-no as i have zero experience in this area.

[Ciaran]

Heres a dell that is similar price to the Sony and will play any current game at full detail with no problems. (i don't know if this link will work)

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D02847&rbc=D02847&s=dhs&sbc=ukdhsrsdimen_8400_1#bottom_anchor

EDIT: the link didn't work, just add the more expensive graphics card and take away the 3year support and you should get a price of about ?1238.

[simoran1]

id agree that is very over priced but what your paying for there is the style. what youve got to balance up is how beneficial style is over power. if the look of the computer is a big factor then you could always go for one of those cube pc's. again your paying more for the style of the computer but you can still get some pretty good specs, way better than that sony anyway. if its out an out power then for the same money id be looking at: -

amd 64 3800 or p4 3.6
1gb or ram, maybe crucial or some other high quality name
200gb at leaste, 300-400gb if you dont want one thats that fast
a nice sound card, mayber audigy zs
either 6800gt or x800 xt/pe graphics card.

personally id go for the power route as pc power moves so quickly nowadays that your better off getting the most powerfull pc that you can afford from the off. obviously if your only intending to browse the web, some word documents/basic office applications then you wont need the spec above and could save yourself easily ?600-700 but again it all comes down to what you want, style or power. hope this helps

[Shimmyhill]

Also bear in mind these are unrepairable unless you send them to Sony for repair. Out of warranty and your talking mega bucks. We repair the Sony range, PCV-W and the one before this one and they are a nightmare to work on !

[gIzzE]

Does it have to be a PC?
If you want a funky unit why not get a Mac Mini and one of the apple widescreen displays and their wireless keyboard and mouse.

[FelixofMars]

Do you know anyone who could custom build a PC, get it stuck in a nice case like this one, if your a style freak

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/asusventoblue.jpg

[gIzzE]

That's hideous!

[Ginza]

Maybe a shuttle or a micro PC of some sort. There are hundreds of different ones you can get now. Have a look at www.steinervision.com for the ultimate in micro PC's.

Having said that though there are ones that you can get for ?3-?400 which is pretty bargainous. Even a Mac Mini is reasonably priced (ish). Same spec or similar to the one you posted but a heck of a saving.

[FelixofMars]

So its proved at last Mac owners have no sense of style

That's hideous!

[Marmite]

Hmm, im not too keen on a mac, mainly cos i am familiar with PC's and wouldnt be too happy (or confident) with something different. Im sure it wouldnt be that different and that i would get used to it, but i really dont want to make the process any more difficult than it needs to be.

Im thinking of just going the dell route again now. It would be nice to have something that looks as nice as the Sony, but i realise that it is overpriced and probably a bit of a bitch to get repaired/upgrade in future.

[Marmite]

Maybe a shuttle or a micro PC of some sort. There are hundreds of different ones you can get now. Have a look at www.steinervision.com for the ultimate in micro PC's.

They are really nice. The price tags are not so good though!