
Sony let me take the Vaio TP1 media center PC (aka "Roomba or High-Tech Wheel of Cheese") out for a cruise today, and boy do I want a second date. As you'll see in the photo gallery below, it's got WLAN, an SD slot, two USB 2.0 ports, MagicGate and i.Link on the front. The backside includes HDMI, VGA, VHF, two more USB 2.0 ports—oh just look for yourself. It'll be out in March for $1,600.
Advertisement
Sony Vaio TP1 Spec Sheet [Product Page]



G/O Media may get a commission


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement


Advertisement

DISCUSSION
Right now the highest-end Mac mini is $800. The Sony TP1 has 2GB RAM ($250 from Apple), a wireless keyboard and pointing device ($100), a 300 GB HD (Apple offers a 160GB drive for $200), a Core 2 Duo processor (not available on the Mac mini), an HDMI output port (N/A), and an NTSC/ATSC TV tuner (N/A).
$1600 for the Sony vs. $800+250+100+200=$1350 for a comparably-equipped Mac mini with a worse processor. At least they can both play iTunes DRMed tracks.