News 

The all-in-one device combines PC, TV, DVD and music playing functionality. Featuring a 17- or 20-in display (XGA 1024 x 768), with Sony's X-black LCD technology for improving contrast, the V3 runs on a 3.4GHz Pentium 4 HT processor, and for graphics there is an Nvidia GeForce FX Go5700 with 128MB of Video RAM.

Also inside is a 250GB hard disk for recording TV programs or downloading movies and a Dual-Layer DVD burner (capable of reading

ADVERTISEMENT

and writing in both DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW formats), which provides up to four hours of DVD quality video or 8.5GB of data storage.

For the audio side of things, there is support for Virtual Dolby Surround effects.

The V3 series also comes with a remote control to use with the VAIO Zone interface, for operating the machine from your armchair or sofa.

'It's designed to look good wherever you put it,' claimed Sony's Product Manager for Desktops, George Sebastian. 'It's designed to be versatile enough to do what you want, but also to be simplicity itself to set up and use. That's what's behind the badge - real design values that put the user first.'

For all Sony's focus on multimedia support, note that the operating system is Windows XP Home Edition rather than the Media Center Edition, and other bundled software includes Microsoft Works and Adobe Companion Pack.

The V3 series will be available in mid May with estimated retail pricing of £1,799 for the 20-in VGC-V3S and £1,499 for the 17-in VGC-V3M.