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Forget MACBOOK get SONY VAIO NS series Laptop- New-Sony: Entry-level Vaios are best

There are lots of notebooks better specced than the air. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter, as they all do everything I'd ever want from an small, light, portable machine. They give decent screen size and keyboards as well.



It's not really fair to compare this new Sony with an old MacBook design that's nearly EOL (end of life) and about to be replaced by an entirely new machine. It would be issue if the new Macbook had specs that didn't match up well either.
 
apple2E said:
vaio-aw-10-01-08.png


Taken from engadget:
Sony's 18.4-inch Type A VAIO laptop was already impressive enough when it made its debut in Japan earlier this month, but it looks like the slightly revised VAIO AW just announced for the UK has now taken things one step further. Of course, there's not much room to upgrade that 1,920 x 1,080 18.4-inch display, but you can expect to get a slightly speedier T9600 Core 2 Duo processor and, most notably, a 128GB SSD drive that's joined by a 500GB SATA drive in a RAID arrary, something Sony describes as a "world's first." Also, it looks like prices for this monster actually start at a fairly reasonable £999 (or just over $1,700), but you can pretty safely bet that any "world's first" features will demand a hefty premium.

Man, give me an 18.4 inch macbook pro with similar specs and 8 gigs of ram and I'm sold! :D
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If that screen is an 8-bit IPS screen with RGB LED lighting I might seriously be tempted. The RGB backlighting is about a 624 dollar upgrade I think though, for that type of money I think it would be an oxymoron to pair a TN panel with RGB lighting but Sony has done wierd things before.
 
mosx said:
Meh, forget Sony.

Head over to HP.

$1128.99 will get you a 13.3" notebook, 6 cell battery with similar REAL WORLD battery life compared to the MacBook, 2GHz Penryn Core 2 Duo on the Montevina platform (something HP has been offering for months now, why hasn't Apple moved up?), 3GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, 512MB GeForce 9300M GS, memory card reader, fingerprint reader, ExpressCard, VGA, HDMI (HDCP certified!), 3 USB, backlit keyboard, and 1 eSATA. Just a few dollars over $1100 without the backlit keyboard. Tack on an extra $100 if you want a LED backlit display.
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The specs are great for the price.

Unfortunately HPs consumer laptops have all the aesthetic quality of something you'd expect to find in a cornflakes pack.

Whilst everyone's tastes are different, in my eyes Sony is way ahead in terms of industrial design. The VAIOs are built from high quality materials have sleek lines and an understated elegance. The HP looks shiny, cheap and tacky.
 
elppa said:
The specs are great for the price.

Unfortunately HPs consumer laptops have all the aesthetic quality of something you'd expect to find in a cornflakes pack.

Whilst everyone tastes are different, in my eyes Sony is way ahead in terms of industrial design. The VAIOs have sleek lines and an understated elegance. The HP looks shiny, cheap and tacky.
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Consumer HP laptops are cheap pieces of crap. If your going to go PC, the best thing to do with any brand is go to their business section and order from there, like Lenovo Thinkpads (the best PC laptops, IMO), HP 651x series or higher, or Dell Latitudes.
 
polaris20 said:
Consumer HP laptops are cheap pieces of crap. If your going to go PC, the best thing to do with any brand is go to their business section and order from there, like Lenovo Thinkpads (the best PC laptops, IMO), HP 651x series or higher, or Dell Latitudes.
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Sound advice, although none of the above would tempt me away from the Z Series (budget permitting) or the SR Series if I was in the market for a PC Laptop.
 
It's a nice Laptop in all but if it can't run Leopard then it's not worth it. Sorry dude I'm not a fanboy, I just know what I like.
 
DSG said:
Get a life! Does the sight of it upset you? Are you scared you might give in and buy a computer that, shock horror, you can justify for reasons other than just that it comes from Cupertino?
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Look at the sections and hierarchy here:

This is a section for Apple Hardware, specifically MacBook and iBook models. It's not for non-Apple hardware. Sure, we might discuss other hardware from time to time, but not as the primary purpose of the thread.

Why do you think this forum has different sections? To give it focus. Why not just put all of the threads into one big section where people start threads about iPhones, MacBooks, Digital Photography and the Taliban all in one section? Because that would change the focus of the board. Same rule applies here.
 
DSG said:
Get a life! Does the sight of it upset you? Are you scared you might give in and buy a computer that, shock horror, you can justify for reasons other than just that it comes from Cupertino?
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By the way, I have a whole e-waste cemetary of dead PCs as well as a few working ones in the house, so it's not like I haven't been buying other stuff. Do I bring my MacBook questions to the overclocking section of HardForums, or to the Sony Vaio fanboy site equivalent of MacRumors? NO.
 
It's a nice Laptop in all but if it can't run Leopard then it's not worth it. Sorry dude I'm not a fanboy, I just know what I like.
 
bplein said:
Look at the sections and hierarchy here:

This is a section for Apple Hardware, specifically MacBook and iBook models. It's not for non-Apple hardware. Sure, we might discuss other hardware from time to time, but not as the primary purpose of the thread.

Why do you think this forum has different sections? To give it focus. Why not just put all of the threads into one big section where people start threads about iPhones, MacBooks, Digital Photography and the Taliban all in one section? Because that would change the focus of the board. Same rule applies here.
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And this is a thread that is comparing Apple hardware with other manufacturers' products. It highlights where and how Apple might be expected to advance their own product line. While I am sceptical as to how much attention Apple pays to the outside world, one would hope that they do at least try to compete.
 
DSG said:
And this is a thread that is comparing Apple hardware with other manufacturers' products. It highlights where and how Apple might be expected to advance their own product line. While I am sceptical as to how much attention Apple pays to the outside world, one would hope that they do at least try to compete.
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When Jobs introduced the PowerBook G4 (which re invigorated Apple's Notebook designs) he compared it on stage to a VAIO.

When he introduced the MacBook Air this year he compared it to the TZ Series (and stressed the TZ was a “really good notebook”).

I think Apple know exactly whose tails they are chasing and have done for some time.
 
elppa said:
When Jobs introduced the PowerBook G4 (which re invigorated Apple's Notebook designs) he compared it on stage to a VAIO.

When he introduced the MacBook Air this year he compared it to the TZ Series (and stressed the TZ was a “really good notebook”).

I think Apple know exactly whose tails they are chasing and have done for some time.
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Umm Apple's sold more notebooks than any other single manufacturer so I don't think Apple is chasing Sony, but obviously there is competition. Also, lets not pretend like other manufacters aren't copying Apple. It's because of Apple that intels special chip is being used in more laptops than just the air.

Anyways, TN screens and RGB LED backlighting is kinda an oxymoron to me. I haven't seen anyone comment on what type of panel technology is in the AW RGB screen, but I've heard that no TN panel can currently reproduce 100% Adobe RGB so theres hope that its an IPS screen. If it is and Apple doesn't come out with an RGB IPS screen to counter then they just lost me to Sony. A blu-ray 100%RGB ips panel would make one mean movie watching machine.
 
comparison between SONY VAIO NS and Macbook

mosx said:
Meh, forget Sony.

Head over to HP.

$1128.99 will get you a 13.3" notebook, 6 cell battery with similar REAL WORLD battery life compared to the MacBook, 2GHz Penryn Core 2 Duo on the Montevina platform (something HP has been offering for months now, why hasn't Apple moved up?), 3GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, 512MB GeForce 9300M GS, memory card reader, fingerprint reader, ExpressCard, VGA, HDMI (HDCP certified!), 3 USB, backlit keyboard, and 1 eSATA. Just a few dollars over $1100 without the backlit keyboard. Tack on an extra $100 if you want a LED backlit display.
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Isnt the Sony Vaio NS entry level laptop got better spec then that?

3Gb Ram and 320Gb hardrive, your HP only has 160Gb hardrive.

Anyway its all about Mac or Sony. HP cant compete.

Im quite surprised the amount of responses iv received from this thread. Hope people can just stick to the title of the thread. Comparing the SONY VAIO NS series with Macs. Ok then Sony VAIo with Macs ill allow.

Thanks guys for your comments. It just makes a bit more easier to decide which one to get.

I notice people are denying the sony vaio if it doesnt/ cant run Leopord or OSX. And that the Sony vaio doesnt have HDMI capabilties but has blue ray.

Ummh nice reasons why NOT to buy the sony vaio. But then you save 1000 pounds approx 2000 dollars not having those features. So its an alright comprimise. Unless someone can figure out how to install leopard or OSX (never used these softwares before- never had a mac- but have played with them at the apple store- didnt like the trackpad when you had to drag or highlite something- proper annoying- but other then that macbooks are cool). Anyway back to the point if Sony VAIo could add HDMI capabilties and can have leopord osx installed then would you guys consider the entry level sony vaio NS series?

What do you reckon of the style / material of the NS series? crap, good? compared to macbooks

Ill wait till your responses.

Thanks
 
According to this reviewer "the AW has versatile viewing angles; we were able to tip the screen far forward, and could watch at nearly 180-degree angles." - http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/sony-vaio-aw-series-vgn-aw180yq.aspx

This is a killer feature for me because it means that this is the only laptop that currently offers something other than a TN screen, besides a few other 12" tablet pcs, and you get amazing color reproduction.

The reviewer isn't very knowledgable though, which makes me really wonder how these people even get jobs reviewing laptops because not once did they mention that the killer feature on this notebook is the adobe rgb color reproduction which is probably why Sony went with an IPS screen and which is why this laptop has 180 degree viewing angles (IPS screens have much better color reproduction than TN panels).

Anyways I heard a rumor Apple was going to release adobe RGB screens. I really want a mac so I'd be super happy if they had a similar offering for the same price, especially in a 15" package.

If not that "brick" Apple is talking about is really going to have to impress me.
 
i have a sony vaio and i got it 2 years ago. This laptop is a piece of crap. I am a college student and all i use it for is to write paper, surf the internet, and listening to music. The fan broke, the mouse button and the part where you rest your wrist to type is worn down to the white plastic (used to be silver). The machine is slow and there was so much useless crap pre-download on it. It is windows XP and i dont think i would buy a sony agian ( i think they are probably 100 times better now but still, i would go with a Dell XPS if i wasnt going with the Apple Macbook!). just my .02 cents
 
zotes24 said:
i have a sony vaio and i got it 2 years ago. This laptop is a piece of crap. I am a college student and all i use it for is to write paper, surf the internet, and listening to music. The fan broke, the mouse button and the part where you rest your wrist to type is worn down to the white plastic (used to be silver). The machine is slow and there was so much useless crap pre-download on it. It is windows XP and i dont think i would buy a sony agian ( i think they are probably 100 times better now but still, i would go with a Dell XPS if i wasnt going with the Apple Macbook!). just my .02 cents
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Well problem is that you can find people with both Dell XPS systems and Apple Macbooks complaining about all sorts of problems. I don't think anyone manufacturer is immune to defects. THe problem is we don't have any solid numbers to go by to see which computers are more reliable.

I heard some of Apple's computers are built in the USA and I believe Sony's high end models are exclusively built in Japan. I would trust the workmanship from Japan and the USA a lot more than something being built in China. If you have a low-end Vaio then it was most likely built in China and even though it is a Sony, the Japanese made Sonys are on another level.
 
MVApple said:
Well problem is that you can find people with both Dell XPS systems and Apple Macbooks complaining about all sorts of problems. I don't think anyone manufacturer is immune to defects. THe problem is we don't have any solid numbers to go by to see which computers are more reliable.

I heard some of Apple's computers are built in the USA and I believe Sony's high end models are exclusively built in Japan. I would trust the workmanship from Japan and the USA a lot more than something being built in China. If you have a low-end Vaio then it was most likely built in China and even though it is a Sony, the Japanese made Sonys are on another level.
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I could be wrong, but I doubt any of the Macs are made in the US. Maybe the Mac Pro, but I highly doubt it. I'll find out in Dec though.

As for high end Sonys made in Japan; that's interesting. Do you know which models? I am a bit skeptical, because it seems everything is made in China these days.
 
riz78612 said:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=SONY+VAIO+ns&scoring=n

Sony: Entry-level Vaios are best ever

Sony: "entry-level Vaios to compete on price"

Aggressive pricing but 'still aspirational'


Bringing up the budget rear is the NS series. Think of this as your "Tesco Value" to the AW series "Finest". It does pack a steady load of features not to be quaffed at, including 4096MB of memory, a motion eye web cam and runs on the latest Intel Core processor. For the pretty poultry price of £499 the 15" screen is pretty impressive and compared to the price of other budget notebooks, VAIO's done good.


http://www.t3.com/news/sony-launches-a-raft-of-new-vaio-laptops?=36835
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I'm fine with it when people say they don't like Macs. Or that they were disappointed by their Mac. Or that they chose Vaio/Thinkpad/whatever. Even when they say those are better. That's freedom of opinion.

Another matter entirely is the sort of advertising you're doing now. Even if your post is because is some sort of Vaio-lover's campaign and you do not gain from it, it's still SPAM. IMO it should be treated as exactly this. The fact that this managed to evolve in normal discussion doesn't change anything.
 
polaris20 said:
I could be wrong, but I doubt any of the Macs are made in the US. Maybe the Mac Pro, but I highly doubt it. I'll find out in Dec though.

As for high end Sonys made in Japan; that's interesting. Do you know which models? I am a bit skeptical, because it seems everything is made in China these days.
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Assembled from parts from China, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and who knows where else...... haha
 
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