Computing: Sony Vaio VGC-LA38G Lifestyle Panel PC – 57

Kiwis are simple folk. We like things to fit nicely into two boxes. League or Union. Right or wrong. Australian or human. This, until recently, was the case for computers too. We had desktop PCs and we had laptops. If you owned a computer it was one or the other. Now Sony has gone and thrown a lightweight polycarbonate spanner in the works.

The new VGC-LA38G Vaio shelters under the nondescript label of ‘Panel PC’. Resembling a Sony Bravia X series LCD TV that has shrunk in the wash, looks are not a problem. Even with the bottom-mounted keyboard, it is still aesthetically pleasing and would not look amiss in a stylish modern home.

Music quality is surprisingly good, and with the keyboard in the up position the PC is pleasing to both eyes and ears.

The Panel PC does come to play, though, armed with the latest Core Duo 2 processor, a gig of ram and 120GB of hard drive space. There is space to upgrade the RAM to 2GB, and using a bit of forethought Sony has made sure that the 1GB that is already in there occupies just the one slot, as the pre-installed Vista consumes that without breaking a sweat.

The built-in webcam is good, and is adequate for quality video calling. Music quality is surprisingly good, and with the keyboard in the up position the PC is pleasing to both eyes and ears. It is very solidly built and has a quality, sturdy feel to it. The touchpad is smartly positioned to the right hand side of the keyboard, which feels a lot more natural than the usual laptop position.

While it a has useful carrying handle and is marketed as a portable PC, unless you are going take the power lead with you from room to room, you’d better not dally for more than a couple of hours as the battery will run out.

My major issue is that it doesn’t seem to know what it is. It definitely isn’t a laptop, as you can’t use it on your lap… well, not without making grooves in your legs. It can masquerade as a desktop, but there aren’t too many of those that come with a carrying handle and weigh less than 5kgs.

The specs may impress the techies out there, but they won’t be the ones handing over their hard-earned wonga for this. The homes that will be welcoming the Vaio will take it as a piece of art that looks great on a shelf, or a desk that doesn’t get used, and when you aren’t admiring its beauty and appreciating the jazz that’s being piped through it, you can check your email, or look at ‘artistic’ erotica.

WILL HAWORTH

Sony Vaio VGC-LA38G Lifestyle Panel PC $3299

CONTACT
www.sony.co.nz

SPECIFICATIONS

- Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5600 (1.83GHz)
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- 1GB DDR2 SDRAM memory
- 120GB HDD
- 15.4-inch (WXGA 1280 x 800) TFT colour display
- Built-in MOTION EYE camera
- NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 GPU
- DVD+-RW/+-R DL/RAM drive
- Integrated wireless LAN – IEEE 802.11b/g
- Memory Stick slot
- 2x 3W audio speakers

PROS

Funky concept
Sony styling
Future-proofed

CONS

Not sure what it is

VERDICT

Style hounds may love it; the rest of us are a little confused

Aesthetics: 92%
Performance: 86%
Features: 85%
Functionality: 84%
Price Value: 87%

Overall: 87%