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MacBook Pro or Sony Vaio?

V

vraman0513

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 9, 2010
3
0
Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a new laptop and have been a long time PC user that's still on the fence of whether to convert to a Mac or not. I've been debating whethert to get the MPB 13'' or a Sony Vaio EB or F series. I've just had bad experiences with PC laptops in the past (slowing down, windows crashing, applications basically not working right) with different machines like Dell, Gateway and HP.

My dilemma is that I can go with a Sony Vaio -- which i've read mostly positive reviews about, and get a machine with a faster processor and some additional accessorial features. If I go with the Macbook 13'', it's the older Duo Core processor and I'm paying a bit more.

The question is for for PC users who switched over to Mac, do you find that much of a difference? Is it worth it? I'm not sure I want to spend the money to get the 15'' MBP with the higher processor, but if the machine lasts quite awhile then I do not mind. Every PC I have had has slowed down within 1-2 years of my purchase.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I've been a PC user all my life and currently have a Sony Vaio FZ series. I just bought a Macbook Pro 13' because of a lot of the reasons/problems you have mentioned. I think I am finally one with Windows...for now. My Macbook is currently on its way. So I'm hoping I would be as satisfied as many other people that have switched over have been.
 
Intel Core 2 Duo is a very good processor, in my opinion. I've been a long time PC user myself and I made the switch back in 2008 and I can tell you that I'm never going back to PCs. Apple computers have everything. Speed, smoothness, applications, safety, and most importantly, you can have both Macintosh AND Windows installed on them - best of both worlds, as they say.

I'm using an early 2008 MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz and 2GB of RAM and I've had absolutely no major problems with it whatsoever. The only downside is that my optical drive failed on me in a short period of time, which is the case with a lot of people I know who use Macs. However, an external optical drive or a replacement will do you fine. Or if you can take care of the optical drive, hopefully nothing will happen to it.

I recommend buying a MacBook since you can afford it, and you'll see what I'm talking about. I was hesitant about it at first and I actually installed Windows the first day I got it, but then I started getting used to the Macintosh OS X more and it is my primary OS now. I've had zero problems with the Macintosh side, and some minor problems on the Windows side - simply because it's by Microsoft. :)

I'm not forcing you or anything, but I am telling you that MacBooks are beautiful in every aspect.

Tell us how it works out for you. Good luck!
 
I would go for the MacBook Pro on the basis that you can get the best of both worlds. I have a MacBook Pro and I use Windows 7 as my primary OS to boot from. I have no problems using Windows on it whatsoever. In fact, I think it's a better Windows computer than other manufacturer (though, I do like Vaios).
 
Thanks for the input. Yes, I've been to the Apple store a couple of times recently and was very impressed with the smoothness of the Mac OS along with the display. Seems like the built in mouse is much more responsive as well -- another problem with the PC laptops is I always have to wind up hooking up an external mouse because the internal one never works properly.

Do you feel the 13'' screen is too small for your use? I'd like the 15'' but it's quite a bit more costly esp w/ the newer processor.
 
I use a 13" MacBook Pro and I am very happy with the size of it, though I do forget how small it really is until I go to an Apple Store.

The 13 inch is the perfect size for me because I move around a lot, going to and from university lectures, so I need something that's pretty portable.
 
I would go for the 15" if I were you. The price difference isn't ridiculous but you'll notice a big difference.
 
Depends. I love my SZ Vaio but Sony has zero support. All the times I called them, I was smarter than the person I was calling in regards to fixing a computer and a few times, they basically told me "Really? You are having problems. Thatsucks....oh well, good luck! *click*"

I even called them for a simple 'Where can I find xxx part to fix my computer'. Their answer was either no idea, I cant do it or just look on the website *somewhere*
 
If u are curious give mac a chance. Its worth the extra money.
And go for the 15.4 mbp if u can afford it.
 
Tarek said:
Intel Core 2 Duo is a very good processor, in my opinion. I've been a long time PC user myself and I made the switch back in 2008 and I can tell you that I'm never going back to PCs. Apple computers have everything. Speed, smoothness, applications, safety, and most importantly, you can have both Macintosh AND Windows installed on them - best of both worlds, as they say.

I'm using an early 2008 MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz and 2GB of RAM and I've had absolutely no major problems with it whatsoever. The only downside is that my optical drive failed on me in a short period of time, which is the case with a lot of people I know who use Macs. However, an external optical drive or a replacement will do you fine. Or if you can take care of the optical drive, hopefully nothing will happen to it.

I recommend buying a MacBook since you can afford it, and you'll see what I'm talking about. I was hesitant about it at first and I actually installed Windows the first day I got it, but then I started getting used to the Macintosh OS X more and it is my primary OS now. I've had zero problems with the Macintosh side, and some minor problems on the Windows side - simply because it's by Microsoft. :)

I'm not forcing you or anything, but I am telling you that MacBooks are beautiful in every aspect.

Tell us how it works out for you. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'm doing almost the exact thing with a 2007 15" MBP 2.16ghz machine that has 3gb of RAM. Runs Windows XP via Parallels just fine. I also use a program called You Control Desktops along with an external 32" monitor. This allows me to have separate 'desktops' for each program running. I have one setup for Mail, one for Safari, one for Windows XP (via Parallels), and one for Photoshop. Works great.

Try it...you may like it. Also, if you end up not liking the MBP, they do hold value pretty darn well the first year, so resell shouldn't be too much of a problem.
 
That is cool, I might give You Control Desktops a try since my MacBook Pro is connected to another monitor also.
 
vsighi said:
Dude, go with a PC ...:D
You on Mac Forum and ask everyone about a PC...that is so evil.:eek:
Click to expand...

That's okay to ask. It's actually better to ask Macintosh users whether he should switch or not, because a non-biased, experienced Macintosh user will give him reasons why Macintosh is better and is an upgrade not a downgrade from being a PC user. Plus, he can always use Windows if he wants. As I said before, it can and does have best of both worlds on one machine.
 
I came to the Dark Side...

...and have no regrets.

Seriously, I made the switch back in April when Photoshop CS5 was announced. Purchased one of the new 15" MBP's.

Sony's might get good reviews, but...Sony has a reputation of locking you into the OS that the laptop ships with. Many of their laptops are locked into using Win7 Home Premium. On many of Sony's laptops, they've essentially locked their drivers to work with their version that's installed on the laptop. So...if you wanted to upgrade from Home Premium to Win7 Ultimate to take advantage of things like Bitlocker and such...you can't.

I used to think that the claim about the "Apple Tax" was valid. I don't anymore. My PC laptop is an older Gateway. It's nice, solid and works as it should. But...the MBP is actually a better built laptop. Better screen, better built body/shell. And...no shovelware.
 
I bailed on PCs and windows environment (after 20+ years of computers-remember DOS?) 2 years ago and Macs are the way to go. Forget the Vaio. As you can see by my signature I have a 15MBP. This my second one in two years. Only reason I bought a new one (and promptly sold my original one) was becasue I was getting mroe ehavily into photography and wanted a large HD and faster video card.
 
I made the switch to Mac from Windows in 2008. I started out with a lower-end MacBook, didn't want to spend too much before I was sure I'd stick with it. Anyway, I'm ready to upgrade now, and I have to say I'm not convinced that Mac's are worth the extra money. I like the Mac and OSX, but for me there's nothing that compelling to make me want to stay with Mac, except that I want a machine to do iPhone and iPad development. So I'm sticking with Mac because of that (and I just ordered a new 15" MBP!). But if it wasn't for the iOS development, I don't know that I'd spend the extra money.
 
I tell you what If you can hold out a few months more wait for the refresh 13" Macbook Pro with with at least a core I3-etc. Try to go into the future not back to the future. I've been using a core 2 duo for sometime now with out any problems but I can see where it's headed, just like Tiger OS 10.411. you only want to be a step behind when using anything apple. Hence the first generation ipod users-now labeled the forgotten ones. On that note I won't bash the Sony Vaio line they have taken a step up. Take your time and research. This is a big step, a major move. Good luck with your choice.
 
I was at the same position than you around 2 months ago when I decided to buy a laptop (since I used to hate, but I really needed it). I used Toshiba and HP before, had problems with both of them so I think'd about other brands as Sony (with the cool Vaios - that personally I love), Alienware (with are way expensive than Mac's even the MBP 13" I bought for 11"), ASUS and of course, Apple.

Went to BestBuy, Apple Store, Fry's, etc; I was computer technical before so I know about hardware, seen some computers with i3 and i5 even with i7 less than 1000$ USD, but I felt in love with the Macbook Pro 13" the size is just the necessary, the autonomy of the battery is incredible and the aluminium body pwns. The disadvantages where noticeable, the processor, the glossy screen, so so the RAM and the OS (since I am BSD and Linux user, but not too geek for being one of the ones that hate Mac's). I knew I could run any of those OSes so I bought it.

At the begin was like "this is fast", "i love how it awakes and goes to sleep, is very fast", "yeaaaah since is a BSD-based OS it got console :D", but still I think that if the OS make me have a problem I will change it. But I made the best decision at buying this piece of obsolete-hardware (not that obsolete, it got DDR3! :p) is just that it looks so-killer :) even though I would preferred to buy a 15" with i7, I hope I can afford one in a couple years without making any sacrifice hehe :)

And about Sony VAIOs, are cool but at Sony Style shop the screen seems to be very weak although the body feels strong. :)
 
Macbook Pro 100%.

My Brother just returned a Sony Vaio FZ series because it felt cheap, poor screen, had a numpad and numbers which wasted a lot of space. The trackpad was left aligned so you had to kinda sit to the left of the screen (poor design). Battery lasts around 2.30 hours. Typical windows crashes/freezes and system bugs and security alerts.

He now has the base 15" Macbook Pro and couldn't be happier. I've showed him the basics but he's really excited and please about every aspect of it.
 
Vaio Z > 13" MBP > any other laptop

Want 13", buy Vaio Z; OK with 15", buy 15" MBP.
 
vraman0513 said:
Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a new laptop and have been a long time PC user that's still on the fence of whether to convert to a Mac or not. I've been debating whethert to get the MPB 13'' or a Sony Vaio EB or F series. I've just had bad experiences with PC laptops in the past (slowing down, windows crashing, applications basically not working right) with different machines like Dell, Gateway and HP.

My dilemma is that I can go with a Sony Vaio -- which i've read mostly positive reviews about, and get a machine with a faster processor and some additional accessorial features. If I go with the Macbook 13'', it's the older Duo Core processor and I'm paying a bit more.

The question is for for PC users who switched over to Mac, do you find that much of a difference? Is it worth it? I'm not sure I want to spend the money to get the 15'' MBP with the higher processor, but if the machine lasts quite awhile then I do not mind. Every PC I have had has slowed down within 1-2 years of my purchase.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

The MBP enjoys very long battery and few OS issues, if you need Windows you can install it, but you might forget you have Windows installed (I did)
 
Hey i am not a pc user, my whole family is, but my very first computer i purchased was a 2007 macbook, it was amazing for the 4 years i owned it, but it couldn't play star craft 2... other then that it still runs amazing, i gave it to my sister inlaw and i didn't tell you what i did to that beats you would think it was a 1 month old laptop =D and that was just the old macbook with the plastic case, i now own a 15" mbp with 2.66 ghz i7 and it is AMAZING, SO fast it makes me wonder wtf is wrong with the rest of the world >_< haha i love it so much, and the OS is just flawless, it is so easy to get into and setting up every program for your uses. Yes i am very bias, my parents own 2x hp desktop my between my brothers there 2x hp laptop both 17", 1 homebuilt pc desktop and one dell laptop, and i dread the seconds i spend on them once and a while showing them something on star craft >_<
 
I've been in the IT support field for 12 years. I bought a Macbook Pro for my Photography. At home, I spend as little time as possible using our desktop pc, and most of my time on my Macbook. It's no contest once you've gotten used to it.
 
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