Sony Sony VAIO MXS10 Series minitower computer

WHAT'S HOT: Saying that Sony's VAIO PCV-MXS10 is different from the run-of-the-mill PC is a bit like saying that the Space Shuttle is somewhat more advanced than a Boeing 707. Sony did not simply graft on a few extras to convert a PC into a home entertainment system, it merged the two system types into one stylish and highly functional unit.

One of the first things you notice on the VAIO PCV-MXS10 is a large green LED display placed right in the middle of the front panel. It serves as the information center for the built-in TV tuner, FM Stereo receiver (no AM, oddly enough), a music equalizer, and a variety of other functions.

Less obvious is the VAIO's near glut of I/O ports. Hiding behind a sliding front-panel cover are ports for USB and FireWire devices, headphone and microphone jacks, a Sony Memory Stick slot, and even a Type II PC card socket.

The rear of our system contains more ports than the front. There's an additional IEEE 1394, plus optical, S-Video, and composite-in and -out, and VHF/UHF-in for television tuning.

Sony also covers nearly all of the latest removable media bases. In addition to an 8X/4X/24X CD-RW and 2X/1X/4X DVD-RW combination drive, the PCV-MXS10 has a built-in MiniDisc player/recorder. The Pioneer DVR-103 DVD-RW drive can burn DVDs that will play in standard home theater DVD players--a convenient way to send your latest digital videos to friends and family.

Using NVidia GeForce2 MX graphics, the VAIO PCV-MXS10 includes both VGA and DVi ports: If you use Sony's PCVD-15XD3 15-inch LCD monitor, it connects to the system digitally, producing crisp images (although colors looked mediocre in our image quality tests). The display also includes a four-port USB hub--convenient for plugging in MP3 players, digital cameras, and other peripherals.

Sony bundles a mountain of audio-video editing software with this VAIO. But one of the more interesting applications is Giga Pocket Personal Video Recorder, a program that lets you record and play back TV shows on your PC.

WHAT'S NOT: The 15-inch LCD isn't a good display for gaming. Colors appeared too bright and cartoonish during our gaming tests at its native (and highest) resolution of 1024 by 768.

For such a multimedia-capable system, we were surprised to see our VAIO arrive with only one set of two speakers. Granted, the 20-watts-each Sony PCVA-SS1 speakers pumped out full, crisp sound, but they lacked good bass. Two speakers just can't compare to a four- or six-speaker set with a subwoofer.

Removing the aluminum-lined plastic side of the tower requires only pinching two plastic clips, but it was quite difficult to line up every edge of the panel properly to reattach it. The interior is almost completely full--there's barely enough room to see inside. To reach the single open PCI slot, you must remove the speaker ports; luckily, this can be done without tools. The single open internal drive bay slot is only slightly easier to reach.

Sony, never known for bargain priced products, adds a stiff markup for all of the VAIO PCV-MXS10's features: As configured, this system sells for $3399.

WHAT ELSE: All of the home entertainment goodies aside, the VAIO is still a PC. It scored 93 on our PC WorldBench 4 tests--about average for other 1.7-GHz Pentium 4 systems with 512MB of RAM but significantly lower than many other systems in its price range.

Sony provides quite extensive documentation. In addition to the helpful quick start and getting started guides, the overall user's manual--specific to this model--contained thorough information on setting up the system, using the software, and troubleshooting.

In addition to the variety of multimedia applications, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere LE, Sony includes Corel's Word Perfect and Quicken 2002, plus a smorgasbord of utility apps.

The basic gray Sony keyboard has five programmable hot-keys and is fairly smooth to type on, though the keys click a bit.

UPSHOT: If your thinking tends to lump entertainment with personal computer, the PCV-MXS10 is a marvel. But like all things Sony, it won't come cheap.

SUMMARY

Sony VAIO PCV-MXS10 PC WorldBench 4 score of 93, 1.7-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of PC-133 SDRAM, Windows XP Home, 80GB hard drive, 8X/4X/24X CD-RW drive and 2X/1X/4X DVD-RW combo drive, GeForce2 MX graphics card with 32MB of SDRAM, 15-inch LCD Sony VAIO PCVD-15XD3 monitor, Sony Digital Audio System sound board, Sony PCVA-SS1 speakers, network adapter, V.90 modem, Minitower case; Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premier LE, ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000, Corel WordPerfect, Quicken 2002. One-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited, 24-hour toll-free tech support. $3399 800/571-7669 www.sony.com/vaio