Sony VAIO VGC-JS230J/B 20.1-inch All-In-One Desktop PC

Jul 7 2009 - The Sony VAIO VGC-JS230 is essentially the same unit as the previous VGC-JS130. It carries all the some base components and features. The only real difference is the lower price tag of $999 and real world prices closer to $900. Performance is good thanks to the desktop Pentium Dual-Core E5200 processors. The screen is really the part that puts the Sony above many other all-in-ones. It just would have been nice to see them improved the stand and the wires on the keyboard and mouse.

Jul 7 2009 - Sony's VAIO VGC-JS230J/B all-in-one is essentially the same system as the previous VGC-JS130J/B with a few minor software tweaks. This means that it has the same advantages and disadvantages of the older system. One advantage the new model has over the previous one though is price. The base price has dropped below $1000 and can be found in the market for just above $900.

Like its predecessor, the VAIO JS230 is based around the Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 processor. This gives it a performance advantage over the majority of all-in-one systems that rely on mobile parts. The system still uses the DDR2 memory standard which is a bit more dated now with more and more desktops moving towards the DDR3 memory. It isn't much of a disadvantage though as most all-in-ones still rely on DDR2.

Storage remains the same with features that are pretty much standard for the all-in-one market. The 500GB hard drive used to be quite large but it is now more in line with offerings from other companies in similarly priced systems. The dual layer DVD burner helps it playback and record CD and DVD media.

Thankfully Sony did not touch the very bright and colorful 20.1-inch display in the JS series. This is one of the better screens available in the 20-inch sized all-in-one systems. Sony did not change the simple stand that helps hold the system upright. This stand does not allow for any angle adjustments for getting the optimal viewing angles.

One other area that Sony didn't address was the keyboard and mouse with their extremely short cords. This makes it difficult to use from any distance away from the screen. With more companies moving to wireless keyboards and mice, Sony should have also done the same with the VAIO JS230.