What stands out about Sony’s new desktop computer is what’s not there. The hole in the side of the VAIO R series desktop represents a generational leap in cooling and acoustic technology, while leaving room for top-level performance.

The sophisticated black tower not only looks cool but acts cool. The dynamic airflow design, liquid cooled heat exchanger and efficient fans allow the unit to take on high-intensity processing without breaking a sweat. Also with air intake in the middle of the PC instead of the front, the noise level is drastically reduced, allowing for AV enjoyment without the interference of internal noise.

The new, top-of-the-line VAIO VGC-RA810G desktop, available next month, will also support the next generation of Intel Pentium processors with Hyper-Threading technology and can accommodate up to 1.6 terabytes of storage to take on the most demanding video editing tasks or an extensive music library.

“We’ve created the ultimate blend of form and function with this striking desktop PC,” said Mike Abary, general manager of VAIO PC marketing for Sony Electronics. “The design elements are not just aesthetically pleasing, they also contribute to performance enhancements that will have enthusiasts drooling.”

Remote-Controlled DVD Burning

Built for entertainment, the desktop features a full complement of Sony-exclusive multimedia software and runs on the Microsoft® Windows® XP 2004 Media Center Edition operating system. Now, right from the Media Center interface, you can create a DVD using Sony’s Click to DVD professional DVD burning software and the DVD+R Double Layer/DVD+/-RW drive.

TV viewing capabilities are powered by the Giga Pocket™ Engine, Sony’s TV tuner and MPEG2 encoder hardware. With it, and the multiple analog inputs on the R series desktop, you can easily convert analog video to digital format for editing or burning to DVD. SonicStage™ Mastering Studio software allows for the conversion of analog music such as record albums and cassettes, to better than digital CD sound quality. Numerous pre-tuned Sony Oxford Labs settings and filters help discerning audiophiles create sonic masterpieces.

High-end graphics cards, GigaBit Ethernet, high definition audio, multi-card flash memory reader and a plethora of ports make this machine an entertainment powerhouse. The entry-level VGC-RA710G model will be sold for about $1,600 after a $100 mail-in rebate. The high end VGC-RA810G unit will cost about $2,400. Both will be available at retail and online at www.sonystyle.com next month.