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You're on crack if you think nothing from the PC side beats a MBP. As others have said, Sony has been on fire with their designs. Especially the Z and F series. In fact, if Apple can't get their act together soon, that's where I'm heading, along with plenty of others behind me.
 
I think at 17 inches, the original poster is right. If you want a nice form factor, nothing comes very close.

however, in 13 inch. the sony Z has it beat...
also, what about adamo at 13 inches?

MacBook pro 13s are cheaper than Sony z series though and much cheaper than adamos. The sony's though are at least better speced, even after new MacBook pros are released.
 
You're on crack if you think nothing from the PC side beats a MBP. As others have said, Sony has been on fire with their designs. Especially the Z and F series. In fact, if Apple can't get their act together soon, that's where I'm heading, along with plenty of others behind me.

But you're still hanging back for Apple. Oh the irony. :rolleyes:
 
The Sony Vaio Z is every bit the build quality of the Macbook Pro's and the Asus UL series continue to push the extremes of design/performance/aesthetics in laptops.

They might be, but as far as I'm concerned, most people buy a Mac due to OS X. At least I know I will never be able to go back to a Windows machine.
 
But you're still hanging back for Apple. Oh the irony. :rolleyes:

Only to see what they come up with. I have a strong feeling I'm going to be disappointed.

Remember, I don't NEED a computer now. I WANT a new one. Big difference. I can afford to wait. In fact, for what I do on my notebook, I don't actually NEED a computer until my MBP completely dies. ;)
 
It seems that the major argument isn't about specs or build quality, but rather the OS. People say the experience of a Mac is OSX... have any of you used Windows 7?

I am a Mac, and my girlfriend is a PC. We have a few computers in the house, but only my MBP is a Mac, the rest are PCs running windows 7. She is not at all tech-savvy, but was able to figure out how to stream recorded TV from our HTPC to her laptop using Windows 7 HomeGroup sharing. If that isn't a real life example of how much more user-friendly Windows 7 is compared to earlier versions, or even OSX, I don't know what is!
 
A Thinkpad is like a tank, it's able to take lots of abuse such as tossing it around and pouring orange juice in it and it'll still work. The MBP may be able to withstand more damage compared to cheap plastic laptops, but it's nowhere near the durability of a Thinkpad.

My experience is quite different. I have a late-'06 MBP and a slightly newer ThinkPad T60p, and its three-year-older predecessor, a T40p. The MBP looks and runs like new. The T60p takes about ten minutes to boot up (no lie), no longer sleeps or hibernates, and its casing is festooned with cracks around the edge of the bezel. The T40p looked worse at the same age, but Lenovo agreed to replace great hunks of its casing (along with its keyboard, for the third time in three years) just before the extended warranty expired. For the T60p, they declined to do that. So it sits here, cracked and falling apart, while the older MBP on which I'm writing this post shines like a showroom floor model.

Two top-of-the-line Thinkpads, one MBP. Both Thinkpads cracked and needed extensive freshening. And both have horrific software issues necessitating a bare-metal wipe.

None of that with the MBP. In fact, it's funny you don't mention any software aspects of ThinkPad ownership. In addition to their boot issues and general bit-rot, both my ThinkPads no longer update from Lenovo's site automatically anymore.

When I need Windows compatibility (which I do daily), I've taken to using virtual machines on the Mac.

Also, with regards to the Vaio Z and the MBP, the Vaio Z completely beats the entire Mac notebook lineup. The best model (VPCZ11Z9E) comes configured with a Core i7-620M processor and Nvidia 330M, and a 1920x1080 resolution on a 13" screen. All this, and yet it only weights 1.45kg. Even the MBA which is completely out of the Vaio Z's league in hardware is heavier than it at 1.65kg. (oh, and the Vaio Z can be configured with an internal Blu-Ray drive) With it's carbon fibre casing, I'm pretty sure it can withstand a hit just as well, if not better than the unibody Macbooks. So, in short, it's more powerful than a Macbook Pro 17" yet lighter than a Macbook Air, while having a similar build quality.

Again no mention of software, and again it's not at all evident you've ever owned either a ThinkPad or a Vaio (I've personally owned two of those, too... fleeing to the ThinkPads after terrible software and support experiences).

Your post bears all the marks of someone reading spec-sheets with no appreciation for what an actual user goes through in living with any of the machines in question.
 
Only to see what they come up with. I have a strong feeling I'm going to be disappointed.

Remember, I don't NEED a computer now. I WANT a new one. Big difference. I can afford to wait. In fact, for what I do on my notebook, I don't actually NEED a computer until my MBP completely dies. ;)

Most people buy Macs not because of the hardware but for the software. You don't need Mac OS X ? Even if you want to run Windows (ofcourse I do too to play games), its possible, but not the other way around..
 
Also, with regards to the Vaio Z and the MBP, the Vaio Z completely beats the entire Mac notebook lineup. The best model (VPCZ11Z9E) comes configured with a Core i7-620M processor and Nvidia 330M, and a 1920x1080 resolution on a 13" screen. All this, and yet it only weights 1.45kg. Even the MBA which is completely out of the Vaio Z's league in hardware is heavier than it at 1.65kg. (oh, and the Vaio Z can be configured with an internal Blu-Ray drive)

With it's carbon fibre casing, I'm pretty sure it can withstand a hit just as well, if not better than the unibody Macbooks.

So, in short, it's more powerful than a Macbook Pro 17" yet lighter than a Macbook Air, while having a similar build quality.

The MacBook Air is 1.36kg, lighter than the Vaio Z. Other than that, the Z looks pretty cool. What is the pricing on that model?
 
MacBook pro 13s are cheaper than Sony z series though and much cheaper than adamos. The sony's though are at least better speced, even after new MacBook pros are released.

an adamo is $999, I dont know wtf you are talking about
 
Again no mention of software, and again it's not at all evident you've ever owned either a ThinkPad or a Vaio (I've personally owned two of those, too... fleeing to the ThinkPads after terrible software and support experiences).

Your post bears all the marks of someone reading spec-sheets with no appreciation for what an actual user goes through in living with any of the machines in question.

My previous work laptop was an older Vaio Z that was loaded to the hilt and cost about $2,300.00. The laptop was awesome and I never had an issue with it. I downgraded to XP Professional from Vista and the carbon fiber shell was sweet. The newer Z line is going to be one of the best laptops available when it drops.

What we are forgetting here is that Windows 7 is a heck of a leap forward from Vista. It is what Vista should have been to begin with. I think some of the fanboyism is starting to come out in these posts as OSX is awesome but Windows 7 is covering ground rapidly.

The key issue is if you are tied into OSX software. Then you will have to deal with subpar hardware compared to the rest of the market and that will only last for so long when you have to drop and chunk of cash with Apple every time to catch back up.

Apple can't afford to miss the mark with their next laptop line or they will be relying on the iPad and iPhone for all of their revenue (which already makes up a large chunk).

Awesome Specs + vastly improved OS = Windows 7

So-so specs + Amazing OS = Apple

Take your pick.
 
I'm amazed at the positive comments on the Sony Z ... obviously there's a big difference in how people determine quality .... the Z has the latest components yes, and a clear very legible screen but from our experience with a few of them that's as far as it goes. We noticed a difference from the 13.3 to 13.1" screen too, the later is shorter and 'squatty' just enough to make you want to plug into an external monitor to read a long email for example.

After that, heat, noise, overall build quality - No where close to a MBP, imo...
 
I'm amazed at the positive comments on the Sony Z ... obviously there's a big difference in how people determine quality .... the Z has the latest components yes, and a clear very legible screen but from our experience with a few of them that's as far as it goes. We noticed a difference from the 13.3 to 13.1" screen too, the later is shorter and 'squatty' just enough to make you want to plug into an external monitor to read a long email for example.

After that, heat, noise, overall build quality - No where close to a MBP, imo...

The early reviews on the new Z point to little to zero heat, low noise, and quality build. How many people complain on here that their MBP's are burning their legs off? Again, I think the overall sentiment is that many people wish Apple would step up their spec game. Looking at how they are raping the gen 1 iPad (spec-wise) doesn't help that cause either. The competition is catching up with Apple especially with the Core-i tech. Apple needs to separate themselves again once they drop the new MBP's in a timely manner.
 
The early reviews on the new Z point to little to zero heat, low noise, and quality build. How many people complain on here that their MBP's are burning their legs off? Again, I think the overall sentiment is that many people wish Apple would step up their spec game. Looking at how they are raping the gen 1 iPad (spec-wise) doesn't help that cause either. The competition is catching up with Apple especially with the Core-i tech. Apple needs to separate themselves again once they drop the new MBP's in a timely manner.

well said, sir.
 
not sure what you're referring to, but i (and several others i know) have an old Z (~1 yr old) at work and i(we)'ve never had problems w/ the heat, noise or overall build quality. the 16:9 form factor isn't great, but the resolution of 1600x900 still gives you more pixels than the 15" MBP! i guess it's a problem if you have difficulties w/ your eyesight, but i don't have any problems w/ it.

the new version will have the option of a i7-620M in a 13" form factor - a processor we can only hope to have as an option in the 15" MBP. it also weighs a pound a half less than the 13" MBP.

you are correct when you say the MBP and Z are no where close, though...

...from our experience with a few of them that's as far as it goes. We noticed a difference from the 13.3 to 13.1" screen too, the later is shorter and 'squatty' just enough to make you want to plug into an external monitor to read a long email for example.

After that, heat, noise, overall build quality - No where close to a MBP, imo...
 
If Sony made a 16.4in Z-series with a proper firewire 800 port, I'd already have ordered it.
 
I just went into a best buy.

The closest thing really was the envy 13 and 15.
If they just had a 17 inch with a backlit--we'd have an alternative.

the vaio f was okay and looks nice from the outside but it honestly felt a little plasticky. truth be told tho--if there is no update next week--it's likely gonna be the 16.4 inch vaio f as I need a new laptop
 
There are thinkpads, dell precision M and Vaio Z's that I like. Unfortunatelly they are priced similarly as the Macbook pro.

Given that I work 90% with unix and only need windows for Excel and Access at times, buying a mac seems reasonable enough.
 
It's interesting reading some posts from people disappointed there's no MBP updates yet and in turn are going to buy a PC notebook .... for better / more up to date spec's.

But, why? I can't think of a PC even with better spec's or more ports or whatever that is overall 'better' to use. Sure, maybe some are better on paper -but- do you really even notice it for 95% of the tasks most people do.

If you aren't going to buy a MBP, what are you going to buy, a Latitude, Thinkpad, HP? They're nowhere near the quality of the MBP's from a day to day user experience, keyboard, screen quality, build quality, weight etc, there is no rival to the MBP in the PC world...

After using Thinkpad's and Latitude's for years and now owning a number of Mac's there's no way I'd ever buy a new released PC over a MBP that hasn't been updated for 8 months, to do so would be a major downgrade, imo. Unless I'm missing something, there's no new pc notebook yet that's a reasonable alternative, not even the new T510/410's or the Latitude Z's, I'd take the current MBP hands down even though it's 8 months since an update. All this isn't considering the OS of course, add that in and it's an easy decision I'd think?


clearly, you aren't thinking hard enough.

perhaps taking off your apple-tinted glasses might do you some serious harm...ignorance is bliss, after all.
 
I'm amazed at the positive comments on the Sony Z ... obviously there's a big difference in how people determine quality .... the Z has the latest components yes, and a clear very legible screen but from our experience with a few of them that's as far as it goes. We noticed a difference from the 13.3 to 13.1" screen too, the later is shorter and 'squatty' just enough to make you want to plug into an external monitor to read a long email for example.

After that, heat, noise, overall build quality - No where close to a MBP, imo...

the heat is ridiculous on a mbp, if you read the review for the vaio z they said it ran cool...I dont know how you use your mbp but its hotter than my dell xps
 
there are rumors of a hp envy coming. perhaps it comes at cebit.
that would hit the spot for me
cebit is early march
 
I agree. and sure it is true that some recent laptops are nearly as solid, but these companies are only starting to release these products because they are realizing they need to compete with apple on the laptop front, so people are starting to copy.

I am an avid gamer, mostly online role playing games, which tened to be quite stressful on computers. I go on forums and people are complaining that they are getting tons of lag on their games. They post their pc specs and sure on paper they look a bit more solid than my MBP's, but my laptop still outperforms. They are just super solid, clean, great looking, long lasting machines. Cant beat em.
 
Im currently running an HP pavilion laptop from a year ago, its on vista still and it sucks..... it runs too hot even to put on my lap...
ive also recently upgraded my desktop to a windows 7 gaming pc... im happy with it... except windows 7, sure its better than vista (which wasnt exactly hard).... but its nothing on os x..... not even close
i used to use macs at work last year and am going to update my laptop... well now... however im sticking around for mbp refresh, going to get a 17inch...
7 is still awful... and im done with windows, if my desktop wasnt brand new id be upgrading both.....
 
I agree. and sure it is true that some recent laptops are nearly as solid, but these companies are only starting to release these products because they are realizing they need to compete with apple on the laptop front, so people are starting to copy.

I am an avid gamer, mostly online role playing games, which tened to be quite stressful on computers. I go on forums and people are complaining that they are getting tons of lag on their games. They post their pc specs and sure on paper they look a bit more solid than my MBP's, but my laptop still outperforms. They are just super solid, clean, great looking, long lasting machines. Cant beat em.

wow this is a load of horse **** if I ever saw one where, where do you see anywhere that a mbp beats a windows machine in terms of gaming. You need to compare equivalent gpus obviously a 9600 is gonna be better than an intel igp. every site always says equivalent mbp running bootcamp will always be slower than an equivalent windows machine
 
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