Macbook vs. VAIO reliability

[Macula]

My sister works for an international humanitarian organization and needs a small (<=14 inch LCD) laptop to take to a third-world country with virtually no service & support resources.

Therefore, HARDWARE RELIABILITY is for her the TOP priority.

How does the Macbook fare in that respect compared to SONY VAIO models?

Are there any statistics around?

Thank you for your feedback.

 

[netdog]

I've had four Vaio laptops (all high-end). All four cost a bomb and all four died an early death. The MacBook is a rugged little beast, but not as light or as thin as the best Vaios.

 

[heatmiser]

I'll say this once:

if she wants reliability, she should get a Thinkpad. Not a Macbook. Not a Vaio. Good luck with the rest of the thread.

 

[acearchie]

well counting out hardware reliability what about general rugedness...

Dont get more rugged than the toughbook!

 

[mpw]

Panasonic Toughbook sounds perfect for her needs (shame about the OS), but between Vaio and Apple I'd be torn, every Apple notebook I've had, three, have had serious problems. The two Vaios never faltered, but Apple wouldn't let me load OSX, **n**.

 

[twitter]

Panasonic Toughbook sounds perfect for her needs (shame about the OS), but between Vaio and Apple I'd be torn, every Apple notebook I've had, three, have had serious problems. The two Vaios never faltered, but Apple wouldn't let me load OSX, **n**.

i know a guy that had a Panasonic Toughbook and after a month the hd
broke and it took forever to get it fixed

 

[lil'homunculus]

Panasonic Toughbook sounds perfect for her needs (shame about the OS), but between Vaio and Apple I'd be torn, every Apple notebook I've had, three, have had serious problems. The two Vaios never faltered, but Apple wouldn't let me load OSX, **n**.

i'm with this opinion. if i was out in the field, i'd want a machine that is guaranteed to withstand a 4 foot drop, then i'd put unbuntu on it. Man, mac can be so stubborn!
You'd think they'd figure this proprietary crap out already. Or is this the 'really big announcement' coming out in January, could you imagine??? Put a Leopard on your PC. I think i just peed myself with the possibility of that!

 

[mpw]

i know a guy that had a Panasonic Toughbook and after a month the hd
broke and it took forever to get it fixed

I know somebody who had three MacBook Pros in a row that were faulty out of the box, my MacBook was faulty on purchase.

Read some of the testimonials of Panasonic Toughbooks and I'm sure you'll agree they're generally f***ing tough, much moreso than anything from Sony or Apple.

Component failure is possible from any manufacturer, but in light of the conditions this user sounds like she'll be using it I still say the Toughbook would be the best option.

 

[PDE]

I'll say this once:

if she wants reliability, she should get a Thinkpad. Not a Macbook. Not a Vaio. Good luck with the rest of the thread.

Agreed! Thinkpads have in my experience been extremely rugged and reliable, the kind of machines you can grab, throw in your bag and never think about whether they'll get damaged. Tanks!

 

[DJJONES]

Vaios are awesome and MacBooks are great too .
No laptop is free of hardware defects. I would say macbook they look aweigh for woman.

 

[skye12]

I'd go Macbook. Been through bike wrecks with mine and it never missed a beat.

 

[Neil321]

Of course your gonna get the answer MB here,go ask in a windows forum bet the answers Vaio,a Thinkpad is what the OP needs

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

I must recommend the Thinkpad too.

 

[BoostFab]

we have a fleet of 60 toughbooks CF series here at work, are being used on the field atleast 8 hours daily, construction environment is pretty rough. unless it was ran over, it was rated for withstand 90 drops to the pavement.

but if just want a durable & slick laptop, Apple & Thinkpad got my vote. I never like Sony that much due to the failing more in my track record. parts and hinges falls apart after 2 years of use let alone paint chipping.

 

[Skystar]

I would also vote toughbook/thinkpad. Since most laptops share the same common hardware components internally, those components are just as likely to fail no matter what notebook model. It's how those components are protected from the elements and environment that make a difference in hardware reliability.