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New Vaio vs. (supposed) new Macbook

parkeyb said:
Hey guys, long time reader first time poster. Basically needed a little advice from anyone willing to help.
Basically I head to college in late September and sold my old HP to make room to take a MacBook to college, then I got completely caught up in rumors and forums describing the possible upcoming update and decided I would wait it out. I told myself I would never get a Windows machine again but then after researching for months and being tossed around by Apple's tendency to play things close to the belt I'm wondering if I should just get the new Vaio SR which, even to macrumors folk, is an amazing machine at a very low price.

2.4 ghz
120 Mb
2 GB
nice radeon graphics card
BD
fingerprint reader
LED
4lbs

less than 1600$

and much more that would cost 2600$+ in a comparable mac. Anyone have an argument as to why I should continue to wait it put for an update that may not happen? Thanks in advance guys.
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Maybe it's just me, but I don't think this Vaio is THAT great. Just comparing it to the Blackbook, for example. List price for the Vaio is $1449 (Newegg price $1299), Blackbook is $1499 (Refurb store $1299), so pretty similar. Both are 13.3" WXGA. The Sony has a higher FSB (1066MHz), and 800MHz RAM, whereas the Mac is 800MHz FSB and 667MHz RAM. The Sony also has a dedicated GPU (but only 128MB, is the HD3470 really that much better than the X3100? I don't know, just asking). The Sony also has a fingerprint reader.

On the other hand, the Mac is 2.4GHz compared to 2.26GHz, it has Gigabit ethernet (not just 100Mbps), AND it has OS X.
The MacBooks are also likely to be updated in the near future.

Just personally, I run Vista Ultimate (64-bit), XP, Linux and OS X at home, I'd take OS X on slightly inferior hardware any day of the week. I also don't like the look of that Vaio much (my subjective option), there are other PC laptops I'd go for, but I guess you wouldn't have posted if you didn't like that design. :)
Ultimately do what you think is best, after all, it's you that will live with the decision. Go to a Best Buy and try them both out, if you have one near you that does Apple.

NOTE: I wrote this using the Newegg specs someone posted. Reading your message again it looks like you're looking at a version with BD. You can get a MacBook Pro refurb for $1649, probably less with student discount. That would have a 256MB graphics card and bigger screen (15.4"), backlit keyboard, et cetera. Are BD and fingerprint scanner worth more than OS X? Only you can answer.
 
Something i guess i forgot to mention, although i'm currently a PC user i have a whole lot of experience with macs, and OS X as a whole, so a learning curve really shouldn't affect the argument. But yes, Vista does hog a whole lot of memory, is there any news on how far 7 is?
 
auggie2k said:
Haha think you just broke your own rule. Oh definitely, XP for as long as possible or until Windows 7 comes out (hoping that the good Windows / bad Windows routine is still running). It's just so much better its crazy, only Microsoft would release an OS in 2007 that can't compete with one from 2001.

95 / 98 / NT / 2K / ME / XP / Vista / 7
:confused: / :eek: / :( / :rolleyes: / :eek: / :D / :mad::mad: / :)
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Is this picture familiar to you?

n511012432_1162099_3226.jpg
 
parkeyb said:
Something i guess i forgot to mention, although i'm currently a PC user i have a whole lot of experience with macs, and OS X as a whole, so a learning curve really shouldn't affect the argument. But yes, Vista does hog a whole lot of memory, is there any news on how far 7 is?
Click to expand...

Windows 7 is a ways away. Don't let MS fool you. XP was delayed, Vista was delayed [and had a number of things stripped out to avoid even further delays]. Also, don't expect radical design changes in 7. It'll look like Vista, and I'd almost guarantee that...

MS is saying 2009, with an OEM/RTM date of 1.2010. That said, I'd expect it closer to Summer 2010 to be finished, with a Fall/Winter 2010 OEM/RTM. By that time Snow Leopard will be well entrenched, and Vista/7 will be treading water. Chances are everyone will need new PC's for 7 too, because it'll probably need 8GB RAM to run Word and Excel...LMAO

Oh, and those thinking that Windows 7 will be a major rewrite? Think again. The biggest edition to 7 is Multi-Touch, and some new Hypervisor stuff. The look will be the same. I really see it as Vista .1, not Windows 7. But MS will add something goofy like a new Gadget feature, or a lame Game and say it's a "Major Release".
 
the sony vaio is the benchmark for new apple notebooks.

they will have to reduce the weight of the MB from 5 to 4 pounds
they will have to offer the 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz CPU's
LED screen is very likely

in order to beat the vaio the need to reduce the screen becel to make the MB a bit smaller.

since apple usually doesn't throw features in their MB's (like finger print reader, wimax, FW800, dedicated GPU, 4GB) they will have to reduce the prices a bit.

also since the specs between apple and PC notebooks will be very similar the design will make the difference (besides OS X) of course. therefore my guess is aluminium case.
 
Sony vaio really is a competitor to apple. it was hard for me to decide whether i should get a sony vaio of a macbook. OS X took me in. besides that style, performance, price of sony is very much equal to or better than mac. although i don't think they're other gadgets(mylo) won't be a worry to apple.

as far as windows 7, i saw a video of a new feature. photosynth, looks really cool. imo i think there will be new features to it that are probably not necessary with some modifications.
 
I'd go for the Macbook, though the vaio z series makes me drool =D

I wouldn't count on windows 7 being a drastic improvement over Vista and I'd much less recommend waiting for it. You'll probably have to wait another year for a service pack that makes it run decently too. Pre-SP1 XP wasn't the best OS to work with, either. Pre SP1-Vista obviously isn't either.

If I got the Vaio I'd delete the Windows OS off the disc and install UBUNTU Linux, one of the more user / beginner-friendly Linux distros. I'd kick Windows OS alltogether, tbh.
 
tmelvin said:
Nice Lazy Eye...LMAO
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Sadly that was cropped out of my Grade 10 school photo lol

auggie2k said:
Ah one of my best pieces of art work to date :cool: How the hell are you BM? Long time no chat. You still bouncing around ZP?
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I am doing great. I was browsing through this thread and saw the name Auggie2k and then saw the location as Ireland and figured it could only be one person. I havent been around zeropaid in quite some time after the whole trading forum fiasco many moons ago I have mostly been around www.cheapassgamer.com recently. How are things going for you?
 
zainjetha said:
I suggest just running XP --- vista will crash on you 24/7 -- and waste your precious time...
(no rudeness or sarcasm intended)..
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But plenty of ignorance displayed. I have more Vista machines than Leopard in similar categories and the Windows machines have been consistently more reliable this year.

I'm all about the new Z's. Will potentially replace both my TZ's and SZ's, which will make me very happy in my quest for simplification. Unless of course they come out with a must-have replacement for the TZ...
 
Sony have better hardware than Apple in terms of laptops. But since switching to OS X after ten years of Vaio, I'd not go back to Sony as Windows does suck a lot.

but the other major factor is Sony Vaio Support - it sucks like you would not believe - get an idea here: http://www.sony-vaio-support.com/
 
Tallest Skil said:
Especially since there's NOTHING to learning OS X.
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There was a time when learning OS X was worth the bother. Now it isn't. Vista matches it in terms of features and in my opinion is also far more stable than Leopard.

Get the Vaio.
 
neiltc13 said:
There was a time when learning OS X was worth the bother. Now it isn't. Vista matches it in terms of features and in my opinion is also far more stable than Leopard.

Get the Vaio.
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LOL...That's funny. Really...my sides hurt.

To the OP, DON'T TAKE neiltc13 advice, you'll be truly disappointed. I did Alpha testing thru RTM on Vista, including SP1. It's the biggest POS ever created. Leopard is FAR more stable than any Vista machine made [DELL, HP, whatever]. For every one person saying Vista is rock solid, there's a line of 75 people behind them yelling and screaming how terrible it is.

Get a MB, and don't look back.
 
Started looking at the new Vaios as well.
I need something small, light, express card slot and bluray burner.
The vaio (I think) has all of this.
I'll wait and see what Apple offers- I hope they match it.
 
Bokes said:
Started looking at the new Vaios as well.
I need something small, light, express card slot and bluray burner.
The vaio (I think) has all of this.
I'll wait and see what Apple offers- I hope they match it.
Click to expand...

Can't see the new MB having a Blu-Ray Drive to be honest..anyone agree/disagree?
 
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