The all-in-one PC is a strange beast. The concept is sound enough - build everything into the back of a TFT monitor so you don't have a big, ugly box to find a home for - but for some reason it doesn't seem to have set the world on fire.

OK, there are some pretty naff ones out there (no names, no pack drill) but there are also some stunning ones around; Dell's XPS One, for example. Sony's latest VGC-JS1E isn't a bad looking job either, and it joins a comprehensive line-up of VAIO all-in-ones.

Built around a 20.1-inch panel, the VGC-JS1E/S we reviewed has more than a hint of Apple about it, being thin and elegantly stylish. The design uses a single foot that runs the length of the screen with a small metal arm on the back for added stability, which can also be used to adjust the viewing angle.

Get the latest Dell Coupons and other computer coupons at CheapStingyBargains.com.

The JS1E comes in three colours; a brushed metal silver finish (the /S part of our review sample's name), black (JS1E/B) and, wait for it, pink (JS1E/P). But before you run screaming to the hills, it is a subtle pink tone, or at least it looks that way in the photos. Sony wisely kept that one away from us.

Anyway, back to our more mundane, silver finished VGC-JS1E/S. At the heart of it sits an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 processor running at 2.53GHz and backed by Intel's G45 Express chipset with 3GB of PC2-6400, 800MHz, DDR2 memory. Performance is akin to a mid-range desktop, something confirmed by the scores from PCMark 05 (5,102) and PCMark Vantage (3,280), so it will perform the everyday tasks you ask of it without any problems and will do them very quietly.

The one thing you will struggle to do with the VGC-JS1E/S is to experience any meaningful games playing experience. Powered by Intel's integrated GMA X4500HD, it really struggles with any of today's leading games, as proven by the 11fps average frame rate score using the built-in benchmark of World in Conflict.

You'll be pleased to learn that the 20.1-inch screen upholds Sony's tradition of high quality displays. The WSXGA+ panel has a 1,680 x 1,020 pixels native resolution, with sharp colours and excellent contrast, although the screen's glossy coating does reflect office lighting.

For home use it will be fine and it's ideal for watching movies on. But only DVD ones, as just a standard DVD burner is installed, not a Blu-ray drive (then again, offering a basic drive does help keep the cost down). Built into the top bezel is a 1.3-megapixel webcam complete with dual microphones.

Sitting under the screen are two speakers which are without doubt the best built-in monitor speakers we have heard, mainly due to Dolby's Home Theatre virtual surround sound. They are perfect for watching movies.

There are plenty of ports to support whatever you want to plug into the VGC-JS1E/S; there's a Memory Stick port with a separate SD card reader, five USB ports, three audio ports, on/off switch for the WiFi (802.11b/g/Draft-n), mini FireWire, LAN port for the Gigabit Ethernet and finally an optical S/PDIF port. Rounding out the package is a colour co-ordinated keyboard and mouse.

For storage you get a 500GB hard drive and, as is usual with a Sony system, this is preloaded with enough software to get you started. For the audio side of things there is Sony's VAIO Music Box and SonicStage Mastering Studio 2.5, for photo editing you get Picture Motion Browser and VAIO movie story (which also helps you work on your video files) along with WinDVD 8, and to burn them onto disc there is Easy Media Creator 10.

Although many people will spend the money on a separate PC and monitor, the stylish and compact VGC-JS1E/S deserves a second chance, offering reasonable all-round performance with a lower than expected price tag.