Sony Vaio VGC VA1 review

Windows Media Center combines all the best points of Windows XP and of Sky+, allowing you to watch and record TV on your computer, as well as do everything you'd normally do with a PC.

The VA1 is one of the first computers from Sony to use it - but it's also the first 'HD ready' PC we've seen.

The whole system is built into one unit, with the PC fitted into the stand and the back of the screen. The VA1 is compact enough to fit on a desk and be used as a normal PC, but at the same time the screen is still large enough to be used just like a normal TV. You can comfortably stick it in the corner of a room and operate it using the remote control. There's also a stylish wireless keyboard and mouse set included. That's in addition to a remote control for operating the Media Center functions.

Powerful PC

With one of Intel's latest dual-core Pentium processors inside, the VA1 packs enough power to do whatever you need. This means it can run lots of demanding programs at once without slowing down - perfect if you are watching a DVD while recording a TV program, for instance. There's also 1GB of RAM, which helps keep everything running smoothly.

Overall, the VA1 scored 111% in our 2D benchmarks - an excellent result - and we were particularly impressed that it notched up this kind of performance without making a racket. The VA1 uses slow running fans and passive cooling to keep noise levels right down. Sony has fitted an ATI Radeon X700 Mobility graphics card into this system. It's not particularly powerful, but will let you play some of last year's games at low settings.

The 20in widescreen display is attached to the main unit with a hinge and has a resolution of 1366 x 768. This means it's 'HD ready', so you'll be able to watch HDTV when it finally reaches the UK, but only the 720i or 720p standards. Although the first HD channels will be broadcast at these resolutions, users won't be able to watch TV at the 1080i or 1080p resolutions that are expected to follow. We'd have liked to have seen a higher resolution to equip the VA1 for the future.

As one of Sony's X-Black screens, it uses a special type of anti-reflection filter to provide a much glossier picture. It displays excellent brightness and contrast, with blacks looking rich and velvety, even when you're watching a film in a darkened room.

Media Center

The TV tuner installed into the side of the unit is a hybrid card that's able to pick up both analogue and digital Freeview TV signals, as well as FM radio. Unfortunately, it can only perform one of these tasks at a time and without a second tuner, you can't record one programme and watch another, which rather defeats the purpose of having a Media Center PC in the first place. You could add a second USB tuner for less than £50, but you'd have to choose it carefully to be compatible with Media Center.

There's a lot to like about the VA1, particularly how easy the VA1 is to set up - attach the TV aerial and infrared receiver, plug it in and switch it on. With a second TV tuner, this would be a great Media Center PC. As it is we recommend you buy the Elonex Artisan in our Best Buy guides - it's not 'HD ready', but it does come with two TV tuners.