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4 stars, 'couse mouse is no good and I cann't install SP2 for Vista It is realy not bad. Much better than my Dell.
So they said ship it back for repair.A week later we got it back and the log said "diagnostics ran fine, you need to have your computer hooked up to the internet for the turner to work."So needless to say, their tech guys are morons cause in my paperwork I sent in, I explained the problem and told how I had to get on the internet to download the forms to fill out to send to him.So I paid extra for a "feature" to not work and I'm getting crappy service on this crappy product.Personally, I'll pretty sure I'll never by another Sony anything again.If you don't trust me, just ask yourself why there is so many referbs of these things on the web. Buy anything else but this.I will never buy another Sony computer ever.11/30/08 Update:I was in the market for a new desktop and choose this over an Apple based on the built in TV turner.I received it, set it up and had it working and then one day the Sony Vaio updater crashed my system. I had to system restore (not windows, sony) and everything was fine but the TV Tuner wouldn't work with MS Media Center anymore.I called support and after several calls, trial, downloads of drivers they determined it was a faulty tuner and sent a guy out to replace it.Well the tech couldn't get the "new" one to work after 5 hours on trying on his own and being on the phone with Sony's techs. This computer is a POS. (Something I wish I asked prior to spending my money with Amazon to buy this). The hook up for TV is a POS.I hate this computer. The Sony support is a POS. Don't waist your money.
Our new Sony VGC-LT29U would not play HDTV. Every time I switched from a digital to an analog channel, or the opposite, my picture would freeze, and then show me the error message "tuner not found." Sony blamed it on software incompatibility, and after 2 months I sent the whole mess back to Sony.
Basically this desktop is not compatible with the tuners that Sony sold with it as a packaged deal. They are now, of coarse, refusing to refund our money.
My husband recently tried to buy us a new Sony desktop and a pair of hybrid (analog and digital) TV tuners from Sony. I called Sony for 2 months, asking them to please fix my new expensive computer.
the above is about a new Sony VGC-LT29U running Vista Ultimatea pair of ATI TV Wonder digital cable tuners model A636 "certified for Windows Vista" networked with a Net gear WNR 3500 router compatible according to the Microsoft websitethe cable modem from Time Warner is by Arris If you do not care about HDTV, you may like it, as far as I could tell the other programs and applications worked. It was the worst electronics decision we have ever made.
Our local cable company rewired our house, twice, tried at least 3 cable cards.
If you don't like the brightness level, just lower it. Fussy and others who reviewed this computer and said the tv tuner didn't work are wrong. I really like Sony products and especially like their support, always friendly and helpful. When I read Fussy's review, I think he must work for a rival computer company. I hooked is up to my rooftop antenna and got HD content with no problems. Battery life is just fine with the mouse and keyboard, and how can a monitor be too bright.
Got XP software and expect it to run with Vista. Stock up on AA batteries: you'll need them.All controls and connections are inconveniently located in the back of the PC. It's as irritating as Windows ME. It's the worst audio system on a computer that costs as much as this one costs. To put it as simply as I can: I do not like this computer and I regret buying it.It is a sluggish performer, mostly (I presume) from the bloated Windows Vista OS, which sucks up all the memory.
It's a lie, and I suspect Sony's fuzzy claims about HDTV and this computer were entirely intentional.I am back to using my old computer, which this all-in-one was supposed to replace.Two thumbs down for this computer.ADDENDUM: If you've going to vote "not helpful" on this review, then have the brass to explain why in the comments section.and DO tell us if you work for Sony or Microsoft. It's not HDTV, does not receive over-the-air HD signals, yet Sony insists on giving the impression that you'll be watching HDTV once you connect your cable-TV cord. And you have to buy over-priced proprietary external speakers if you want to slightly upgrade the audio.The wireless mouse: Turn it off when not in use, because it stays on all the time, sucking battery power 24/7. Human eyes were not meant to be subjected to such dazzling brightness.And forget the insinuations that you can watch HDTV on this computer. Think back to the mid 1960s and transitor radios. Just wait until you have to do it.The monitor is so bright, so irritating, I had to put a tinted screen in front of it to tone it down. Somebody here commented on how great it is.that's just not true. You imagine this is a minor inconvenience.
This isn't a review of Vista.but RUN, don't walk, from it. Learn to get up and look behind the computer each time you make a headset connection, insert a disc, eject a disc.everything. This computer is a major rip-off to anyone who wants to use it for purposes other than surfing the web. Last laugh is on you.The audio system is terrible. No bass, no audio controls, no nothing except tinny, weak sounds.
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