Sony Vaio VA1

Since Microsoft introduced the concept of the Media Center – a type of PC specifically designed to integrate with your living room – many PC manufacturers have put their devices into boxes and formats that sit happily next to existing home entertainment hardware. This Media Center PC from Sony merges the computer gubbins directly into a 20in widescreen monitor, so it’s less about integration and more about replacing your tatty old equipment with this magnificent screen.

Features
The screen is the undoubted star of the show, featuring a range of technologies to ensure that its colours are bright and vibrant, and its black is super-black. Frankly, it’s the most stunning screen we’ve ever seen on a PC. Built into the back and base is the computer, complete with 2.8GHz Intel processor, 250GB hard disk, 1GB of memory, DVD rewriter, memory card reader and a host of other options. The device has a digital (Freeview) TV tuner, which you can use to watch or record digital programmes, and comes with Wi-Fi wireless networking built-in and ready to go.

Performance
The performance of a PC is mostly down to its internal components and this has a lower internal specification than you might expect for the price. However, it’s more than capable of fulfilling its entertainment role in the home, not least because of its screen. Perhaps the greatest problem you’re likely to encounter is that its unique shape means that it’s difficult to upgrade. 1GB of memory is enough for now, but might start to feel inadequate in a year or so.

Ease of use
Windows Media Center has a simple interface for working with images, music, video and TV from the supplied remote control. You can still dig deeper into a Windows XP-style interface for proper PC work, and there’s a bundle of extra Sony tools to enhance your media experience further, such as software to help you stream music, video and photos between networked devices. For creative types it’s also well stocked with Adobe Elements titles for editing video and photos.

Value for money
You could certainly get more PC for your £1,500 if you compromised on screen and shape, but this is a unique piece of kit that’s worthy of its premium price tag, especially for the screen. Although a 20in model is unlikely to consign your existing family-sized TV to the scrapheap, it would be ideal for kitting out a smaller room from scratch.