eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
Sony unveiled its newest Vaio desktop June 8, an all-in-one, touch-enabled PC for living rooms and kitchen nooks that pairs Intel Core processors and a choice of Windows operating systems with a family-friendly price tag.
Silver and sleek, with a wireless keyboard and mouse, the J Touch All-In-One, part of a J Series, measures 20.7-by- 15.7-by-7.3 inches. The touch screen is 21.5 inches (on the diagonal) with a resolution of 1,920-by-1,080 and the ability to view content in high-definition. On select models, a Blu-ray Disc drive can be included.
Other entertainment-geared features include a Webcam, face-tracking technology and a microphone, for easy video messaging and Web chatting. (Think: Catching up with far-away cousins and friends.)
Looking to simplify matters for a family without an IT team, Sony has included three dedicated buttons on the J Series. A Vaio button opens a user’s Media Gallery, for images and music; an Assist button launches Sony’s Vaio Care software, which walks users through maintenance procedures, such as backing up files; and a Display Off button rather obviously turns off the display without putting the PC into hibernation mode.
Processors vary, but options include an Intel Core i7 with 4MB of L3 cache and a Nvidia GeForce 310M GPU with 512MB of dedicated video RAM. On the OS front, users can choose between Windows 7 Home premium and Windows Professional 64-bit.
Additional goodies include an adjustable stand for easy viewing, read/write CD and DVD drives, an SD memory card slot, a multimedia card reader and 802.11 b/g/n in addition to Ethernet connectivity. The J Touch is also Energy Star 5.0 and RoHS compliant.
“The J Series changes the way consumers interact with their PC enabling them to tap, drag, zoom, rotate and engage with their content and entertainment like never before,” Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Sony’s VAIO business, said in a statement. “And with its attractive price point, this cutting-edge technology will reach a whole new audience.”
That attractive starting price point is $900. The J Touch is now available for preorders on the Sony site, and will arrive on retailer shelves in early July.
On May 20, competitor Gateway likewise introduced a pair of all-in-one consumer desktops geared toward family spaces or dorm rooms. In addition, Hewlett-Packard in April did the same. HP’s all-one-in similarly features a 21.5-inch touch display, WiFi and video-chatting features.