The Sony Vaio VGC-RB64G desktop entertainment PC comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. Convert your VHS or 8mm home videos to DVD discs to share with the whole family with the amazingly easy-to-use Sony Click to DVD software via the dual-layer, multiformat DVD burner. Store hundreds of hours of your music collection on the extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive. You can also watch and record your favorite TV programs (via the built-in TV tuner) using the Giga Pocket personal video recorder (PVR).

It features a hyper-threading 2.8 GHz Pentium D dual-core processor for powering through work as multiple applications hum along simultaneously and without stress. Enjoy thrilling graphics performance with the ATI Radeon X300 graphics card with 128 MB of video RAM. This multimedia PC also features 1 GB of installed RAM, a multiformat memory card reader compatible with the most popular digital camera formats, Microsoft XP Media Center Edition 2005, a wide assortment of pre-loaded software titles, and included remote control and speakers along with a keyboard and USB optical mouse.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: This entertainment-centric desktop is loaded with a 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive, which offers higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0--than typical ATA hard drives.
  
• Processor: The 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium D 920 dual-core processor is one of the strongest processors currently available, and it resides in the middle of the speed spectrum for this line as of February 2006. An Intel dual-core processor delivers additional computing resources and help expand the PCÕs capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. Each core has 2 MB of L2 cache onboard (for a 4 MB total), and the two cores share an 800 MHz front-side bus.

  A hyperthreading processor helps a PC run several demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (parts of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance, such as faster reaction times in gaming applications, and enhanced multitasking.
  

• Memory: The VGC-RB64G comes with 1 GB of installed PC2-4200 DDR RAM (533 MHz). This is a good start, but you'll want to max out the 2 GB capacity (which is a bit small for such a multimedia powerhouse) for your 3-D gaming and video-editing needs.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 16x write/6x rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 16x write/8x rewrite speed. For double-layer DVD+R, it has a 6x write speed. For CDs, it has a 40x write/24x rewrite speed. It also has a separate DVD-ROM drive with 16x DVD read speed and 40x CD read speed.
  
• Included Peripherals: It comes with a standard Vaio keyboard (PS/2) and a USB optical mouse. This package also includes a pair of stereo speakers (VGP-SP3), remote control, and IR blasters for controlling a TV or cable/satellite box.

Graphics and Sound
Video and graphics are powered by the ATI Radeon x300 card, which delivers enhanced visual quality and performance for todayÕs and tomorrowÕs graphics-intensive digital photo, video, and gaming applications. It also supports the newest PC architecture standard--PCI Express--enabling it to send and receive data simultaneously at twice the speed of current AGP 8x solutions. It features 128 MB of video RAM and composite AV, S-Video, VGA, and DVI video ports. It also features the integrated Intel High Definition audio chip (Azalia), featuring THX certification and 8 channels for full Dolby 5.1/6.1/7.2 surround sound with Dolby Pro Logic IIx.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the VGC-RB64G has two 5.25-inch half-height external bays (occupied), one external 3.5 -inch bay (occupied) and four internal 3.5-inch bays (one occupied), two PCI slots (occupied), and one x16 PCI Express (occupied). It comes with the following external connectors:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports (1 6-pin in rear, 1 4-pin in front) for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 DVI video output
• 1 S-Video input
• 1 Composite video/audio input
• 1 RF coaxial video input (VHF/UHF)
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone, 1 line-in
• 1 audio line-out
• 1 subwoofer input
• Multiformat memory card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro/Duo, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port for a 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems.

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether itÕs live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house.

It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: GigaPocket (personal video recording) Click to DVD (DVD creation), SonicStage (digital music), Vaio Media (network file sharing), DVgate Plus (digital video), and Image Converter (for PSP transfer). Other pre-loaded software includes Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Microsoft Works 8.5 (with word processing, spreadsheet, and calendar), Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), Intervideo WinDVD, Roxio DigitalMedia SE, and SpySubtract.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 7.13 x 16.9 x 15.24 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 25.35 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the VGC-RB64G desktop PC, two stereo speakers, keyboard, USB optical mouse, remote control with IR blaster, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited hardware warranty.