| Sony VAIO VGC-RA842G Desktop PC (Intel Pentium Processor 830 (Dual-Core), 1 GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, Dbl Layer DVD+R/DVD+/-RW Drives) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 2 reviews)
Sales Rank: 2625
Category: Personal Computer
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
Brand: Sony
Label: Sony
Hardware Type: Desktop Computer
Media: Personal Computers
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 3
CPU Type: Pentium D
Processors: 1
System Bus Speed: 800
System Memory: 1
Memory Type: DDR SDRAM
Secondary Cache Size: 2
Keyboard: VAIO Keyboard
Hard Drive Size: 500
Floppy Disk Drive: 1.44 MB, 3.5-inch floppy disk drive
Graphics Card: NVIDIA Graphics GeForce 6600
Graphics RAM: 256
Case Type: Tower
Modem: 56 Kbps
Network Interface: 10Base-T/100Base-TX Fast Ethernet
Free Memory Slots: 1
Special Features: Intel Hyper-Threading, Giga Pocket MPEG2 Realtime Encoder board with TV Tuner
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Shipping Weight (lbs): 34.2
Dimensions (in): 15.6 x 15.3 x 7.4
MPN: VGC-RA842G
Model: RA842G
UPC: 027242676114
EAN: 0027242676114
ASIN: B0009HOQCW
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| Features:
| • | 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium D 820 dual-core processor with 800 MHz front-side bus and 2 MB L2 cache | | • | 500 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (4 GB maximum), dual-layer DVD+/-RW burner | | • | Seven USB 2.0, two Firewire, one VGA, one headphone, one microphone, one PCMCIA, multiformat memory card reader, composite video, S-Video | | • | Built-in 10/100 Ethernet; 56K (V.90) modem | | • | Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Includes: wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, 5.1 channel speakers, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, & more. Sony VGC-RA842G VAIO(R) Desktop PC - This desktop computer features the latest advancement in processor technology. The Intel Pentium D. What makes this processor amazing, is that it has two processor cores inside. So it's like having two CPUs in one! This desktop also features the ability to view and record television and movies, play some of the latest in 3D games, burn DVD movies, and much more! 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM 2 RAM Slots (0 available) Two 250GB SATA HDD Double Layer DVD Writer - supports Double Layer DVD+R, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, & CD-R/RW media DVD-ROM Drive Giga Pocket MPEG2 Encoder board with TV tuner NVIDIA GeForce 6600 graphics card with 256MB of RAM Built-in Memory Card Reader - Memory Stick, Compact Flash Type I/II, Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC), & xD Picture Card 3.5 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, DVI-D, VGA, S-Video, USB Unit Weight - 34.17 lbs.
Amazon.com Product Description
The Sony VAIO VGC-RA842G Digital Studio PC provides the multimedia muscle for your next-generation A/V entertainment demands. Edit high-definition camcorder video, master your own music recordings, and turn your home movies into high-quality DVDs. The Intel Pentium D dual-core processor delivers robust performance for running multiple, demanding applications simultaneously. You can also watch and record all of your favorite shows with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, enhanced by Sony's Giga Pocket engine. The VGC-RA842G features massive 500 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), a multiformat, dual-layer DVD/CD burner, multimedia memory card reader, and a wealth of preinstalled Sony multimedia software. It also features Sony's revolutionary liquid-cooling system and advanced noise-reduction technology, ensuring premier performance without the heat or noise of traditional PC designs and cooling fans. A unique liquid-flow heat pipe draws heat away from the processor, while air-intake from the desktop tower's mid-section maximizes air flow and optimizes Acoustics. The result: cool, quiet and reliable performance. The Basics
- Hard Drive: The massive 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) is one of the largest hard drives available in a desktop PC, offering a seemingly limitless amount of storage space. Nevertheless, you'll most likely find ways to fill it, with stored TV programming and digital video ported in from your camcorder.
- Processor: The 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium D 830 dual-core processor is one of the strongest processors currently available (as of May 2005). The next generation in PC computing performance and power, dual-core processors can easily handle demanding multitasking multimedia needs, from high-end video editing to the most processor-intensive immersive 3D game. Each core has 1MB of L2 cache onboard (for a 2 MB total), and the two cores share an 800MHz front-side bus.
- Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM is quite speedy (PC2-4200, 533MHz), but you'll want to maximize the 2 GB available total (which is a bit small considering the horsepower of this PC).
- CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the VGC-RA840G multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 16x DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 6x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds. This desktop also has an additional 16x DVD-ROM drive.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an infrared wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse.
Screen, Graphics and Sound
Video and graphics are powered by the powerful NVIDIA Graphics GeForce 6600 card, which is suitable for intense, immersive 3D gaming and for running one large virtual screen across two displays. It features a massive 256 MB of dedicated video RAM, S-Video and the higher-fidelity DVI connections out, and PCI Express x16 support, which enables graphics to process faster. 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
The VGC-RA842G has three PCI expansion slots (all occupied), two external 5.25 drive bays (occupied), 1 external 3.5 drive bay (occupied), 3 internal 3.5 drive bay (2 occupied), one HP Personal Media Drive bay (available), two standard PCI slots (one available), one PCI x16 Express slot (occupied), and the following external ports: - 7 USB 2.0 ports (4 in rear, 3 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
- 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
- 1 VGA monitor port
- Composite video, S-Video, and audio inputs
- 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 includes an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 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. Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder (PVR) powered by Giga Pocket Engine, which makes it easy and convenient to record upcoming programs and entire series via on-screen program listings and navigation. Create a digital library for personal viewing whenever you want to watch. It also comes loaded with a bevy of Sony multimedia software: Click to DVD (DVD creation), PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), SonicStage Mastering Studio (audio mastering/remastering), Vaio Media (network file sharing), and DVgate Plus (digital video). Other preloaded software includes Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop Album, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Microsoft Works 8.0, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Intervideo WinDVD, Sonic RecordNow, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day subscription), and Intermute SpySubtract (with 30-day subscription). Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 7.4 x 15.6 x 15.3 inches (WxHxD). What's in the Box
This package includes the VGS-RA842G Digital Studio desktop PC, surround sound speakers, IR remote control, IR blaster, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and power cord. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Refurbished Sony Vaio Computer VGC-RA842G Desktop PC January 9, 2007
Elecsurf Computers provided me with this excellent computer -- it is more adequately powerful, even, than what I had expected; and the price was more than reasonable. Also, the computer is in nearly perfect condition. And, when I requested another GB more ram, the company immediately provided it prior to ship date at a pretty decent price! I definitely will buy from Elecsurf again. The quality of the merchandise and excellent service provided were outstanding!
 Awesome PC, just takes some time to iron out wrinkles September 11, 2005
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I got this PC after trying the RA-834G, which Sony doesn't make anymore. The only difference is that this machine has the 3.0 Ghz Dual-Core Pentium D, compared to the 3.6 Ghz Pentium on the 834G, and this one has 100 GB bigger hard drive.
I was very pleased with this PC straight out of the box. I could tell that the processor is a little bit slower than the 3.6 Ghz Pentium on starting up applications, but when running multiple applications it really pulls ahead, and in my opinion, outperforms the 3.6.
This computer is very quiet. I keep it on the floor under my computer desk, and the only time that I hear it is if I restart it or if one of the DVD drives is spinning. I like the styling of the VAIOs, but I think that the little flip down doors that cover the DVD drives seem kind of cheesy and cheap. I guess they blend in with the sleek black style of the PC, but one of the doors wasn't working when I first opened the box. It was just a spring out of place, though, and easily fixed. Also the slide-down door that covers the floppy drive is kind of awkward and takes some getting used to. I don't like the door that covers the USB ports, since I have my PC on the carpet it's hard to open all the way since it swings down. It wouldn't be a problem if the PC was on a desk or a hard floor, since it wouldn't sink down like it does in the carpet. These are minor complaints, though.
One complaint that I have had with this computer is with the software that came pre-installed. I had a glitch develop where anytime I tried to shut down, log off, or restart the PC, like after installing updates, it would take almost 10 minutes to shut down. It would just hang for a long time, like an application wasn't able to close. I got two different registry cleaners, I uninstalled a bunch of programs, and I tried system restore, all to no avail. I finally traced the problem to Norton Internet Security, which comes pre-installed with a 90 day trial. I uninstalled this program, and the problem was alleviated. I just got a different antivirus program and it works well. I was having another problem with the blue screen of death and 'fatal' errors, but it turns out that it was my HP printer software and a faulty driver causing the problem.
One final complaint I have is that the DVD drives, both the DVD-ROM and the DVD-RW wouldn't work at all when I first booted up the PC. I tried uninstalling and re-installing the hardware, downloading new drivers, troubleshooting, and none of it worked. I finally had to search online and found an obscure forum posting that talked about deleting a random registry value that would fix the problem. Something to do with CD/DVD burning software. I followed the instructions and it worked, but I had to reinstall the Sonic burning software.
Overall I am really happy with this PC. You really can't find anything else with these specs for such a cheap price. I got a Dell laptop a couple months before buying this PC, and I have had absolutely no problems with it. I looked at Dell desktops but couldn't find one for the right price, and I'm not sure how they measure up. If you're looking for a PC that you can take out of the box and use with minimal problems, this may not be the machine for you. I may have just gotten a little bit of a faulty specimen, Sony did just start making this model. I would recommend this PC to anyone who has plenty of time and patience to work out all the kinks.
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