New MBP versus Sony Vaio F series

[Charlie Croker]

Can anyone with a keener eye for detail explain the pros and cons between two machines for me? I know this is a Mac forum but I am looking for a balanced response from someone in the know. I speculated that I would buy the Sony Vaio F Series if the new MBPs were not that exciting. It will be used 80% of the time near a power outlet. I don't mind weight.

FIRST ITEM: Latest Apple Mac Book Pro 15"
SECOND ITEM: Sony Vaio F Series VPCF11X5E http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-f-series

MBP £2279 inc vat
Sony £1429 inc vat

OSX Snow Leopard
Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate

2.66GHz Intel Core i7 dual-core ???
Intel® Core(TM) i7 Processor Quad Core 1.6Ghz-2.8Ghz ???

500 GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm
500 GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm

8 GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
8 GB 1333MHz DDR3-SDRAM

DVD super-drive
Blu-ray Disc writer

15" LED, Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display 1680x1050
16" LCD, 1920x1080

NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M 512MB ???
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M 1GB

SD card slot
SD and MS card slot

No HDMI
HDMI output

Battery life up to 8 hours
Battery life up to 3 hours

A quick comparison of these stats seem to give a lead to the Sony if you are not bothered about the Apple brand. As I said, the battery is not enough of a reason compared with everything else you lose out on. I am a little concerned about the exact spec of the i7 dual versus the i7 quad, as I am not certain what 'type' of i7 is in the Mac. Is it massively better than the Sony offering, or just the same? Can you spot any other weak links in the Sony offering? I have read of some issues with the USA Sony Vaio but none of these issues have occurred on the UK model (fan noise, for instance). Thanks for any help.

Great video review of UK user experience of the Vaio.
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW5LKOuAkr8&feature=channel
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja0h_oiDWWQ&feature=channel
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEvJCu06cg8&feature=channel
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5r4rG69m18&feature=channel

 

[Charlie Croker]

The final outcome (for various reasons) on this was the MBP won out.

 

[bt22]

Not sure if this is your first Mac. I don't think you will be disappointed with your decision. Mac's have this great community. Welcome to the club...

 

[GS17]

The final outcome (for various reasons) on this was the MBP won out.

Wow the final outcome is that the MBP dual core won over the Sony Quad Core?? in what areas? Apple brand and battery life? I have a late 09 high end (2.8 ghz) 15" MBP and when you first unplugged it from the wall it will calculate estimated battery life between 6 - 7 hours (if left alone with minimun illumination and not running anything, no wifi etc) in reality will give me around 2-3.5 hours depending on workload.

I will say that all specs are well better on the sony. It will not make you popular or make people stare or be as pretty as the mbp but it's a lot more powerful and give you more option (BR) than apple.