Sony VAIO VGC-LV180J

The display fared better on high-definition content, but its viewing angles weren't generous, nor did I find the saturation strong enough to do movies justice. In darker scenes I definitely noticed the bleeding of the LCD backlight on the edges of the screen.

Upgrading the VGC-LV180J is certainly possible, but the method is a little different from the standard procedure you'd use with a common desktop PC. You can only replace the memory and add an extra hard drive, though the system's ExpressCard reader allows for laptop-style upgrades such as a solid-state drive, network card, TV tuner, sound card, or FireWire 800. We love that the system has a spare internal bay for a second hard disk (the HP TouchSmart IQ816, for example, merely lets you replace the single drive that's already in the system). However, we'd still like to see all-in-one PC makers be more sensitive to how complex a task it is to take apart a chunk of the machine just to install a new drive--in the case of the VGC-LV180J, such disassembly will require some glances at the manual for even the most experienced PC enthusiast.

Once set up, the VGC-LV180J sits on a single huge base, looking as if it were a standard monitor. It doesn't have any flashy features like ambient lighting, but it does include helpful elements such as a 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi toggle on the side, directly underneath its slot-loading Sony Optiarc BC-5600S Blu-ray reader and DVD burner. Three USB ports, a Memory Stick reader, and an SD Card reader also sit on the sides.

Two more USB ports and a single mini-FireWire 400 port are on the rear of the case, joined by an optical-out connection for your audio, a gigabit ethernet port, and inputs for S-Video, HDMI, digital cable, and analog cable. The VGC-LV280J isn't just an all-in-one PC; it's a television set, too.

The VAIO's included keyboard is perfectly suited to multimedia-heavy, all-in-one PC use. The thin, wireless keyboard packs in volume controls, a mute button, a sleep button, and a jump-to-media-center button, among others. Beyond that, a touchpad and two-button-mouse combination is built into the lower-right side of the keyboard. It's a great addition that helps you minimize the clutter on your desk (or coffee table) if a mouse isn't to your liking. A boxy, four-button mouse is also included.

Although it lacks the storage capacity and touchscreen capability of some of its peers, the VGC-LV280J is a powerful all-in-one PC due to its additional connectivity and upgrade-friendly options. If you can stomach the loss of the touchscreen--and the ability to play current games--the VGC-LV280J is a solid choice if you aspire to own an all-in-one.