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Sony Vaio VS Mac Book Pro
- Thread starter JW8725
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They keyboard layouts on PC and Mac laptops are slightly different. The spacebar on a Mac isn't exactly centered, if I'm not mistaken.
As I stated before, on the VAIO, the trackpad is centered where it should be.
6th gen iPod? You're a lucky man
what can i say, having steve jobs in my rolodex has its priviledges.
I have a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ110, which looks similar to this model. I was initially sold on the looks of the Sony, but I can tell you that, at least my model, is chintzy and seemingly not sturdily built: parts rattle on the inside, the battery lock easily becomes unlocked (resulting in the battery sliding and shutting off the machine), the Vaio marking on the frame of the lcd is starting to wear off, and the camera doesn't work well with XP and keeps the it from sleeping.
A different model, but after this experience, I can't recommend Sony. I'll be selling it in the summer and moving to a MBP. I'm not expecting huge resell-value either...
A different model, but after this experience, I can't recommend Sony. I'll be selling it in the summer and moving to a MBP. I'm not expecting huge resell-value either...
I have a mbp, and my friend has that exact vaio. i can say that it is a fantastic computer, i found it to be very sturdy (she travels with it constantly and treats it badly...but it keeps on going!), and a much better portable than the mbp. spec wise the two are very similar, so i suppose it comes down to osx...i wont go over to windows, its just too much hassle on that side of the fence, but if it (hypothetically), ran osx, i would pick it over my mbp!
there is one place where the mbp fails severely imo compared to the vaio, and that is with the keyboard. every mbp keyboard that i have come across is atrocious, my 12" powerbook's keyboard is infinitely better, as is that on the vaio!
there is one place where the mbp fails severely imo compared to the vaio, and that is with the keyboard. every mbp keyboard that i have come across is atrocious, my 12" powerbook's keyboard is infinitely better, as is that on the vaio!
Personally I prefer the plunky feel of the VAIO SZx and the HP nx keyboards. The MBP feels insubstantial and overlight.
The upper-end SZ - and the VWN in particular - is miles ahead of the Macs, both in terms of engineering and the way it's put together. If you choose the cheaper models, yes I would say they're put together to a more ordinary standard. The only major issue is the Sony Crapware. You'll have to spend about an hour removing some the stuff they fill it up with - but after that it's smooth sailing, or at least it has been for me.
Ah.. the grass is always greener. Hopefully the Jobs Reality Distortion Field will bamboozle you enough not to notice that the Apples probably have more hardware issues in comparison to the Sonys
The upper-end SZ - and the VWN in particular - is miles ahead of the Macs, both in terms of engineering and the way it's put together. If you choose the cheaper models, yes I would say they're put together to a more ordinary standard. The only major issue is the Sony Crapware. You'll have to spend about an hour removing some the stuff they fill it up with - but after that it's smooth sailing, or at least it has been for me.
Ah.. the grass is always greener. Hopefully the Jobs Reality Distortion Field will bamboozle you enough not to notice that the Apples probably have more hardware issues in comparison to the Sonys
Ah.. the grass is always greener. Hopefully the Jobs Reality Distortion Field will bamboozle you enough not to notice that the Apples probably have more hardware issues in comparison to the Sonys
Having owned many PCs and Macs (both desktops and laptops), I feel somewhat immune to the distortion field, on either side. I just felt disappointed with what I was expecting to be a superior PC manufacturer. I'm sure people have similar Apple stories. I'm at the point of consolidating completely to the Apple platform where I can comfortably run UNIX and Windows on a single hardware platform.
And so far Apple has not disappointed (after 14+ years and 10 Macs).
I don't agree with this at all. Apple and Sony use the same CPU's so when the MBP is updated, the Vaio isn't far behind and I wouldn't doubt if the Vaio isn't updated before the MBP. You're not going to lose much by getting a MBP now vs a newly updated one. The current models are some of the fastest notebooks on the market.
You can't compare an iPod to a Mac buying experience. They just simply aren't the same!
Sony is a pain in the butt when things go wrong. I work as a PC technician (yeah, yeah I know!) and recently had a customer bring in a 2 week old notebook with a bad stick of RAM as determined by us and confirmed by many RAM testers which all said it was bad. Called up Sony to get a replacement sent to me and they said I had to ship the notebook in because they won't let me replace the RAM. Thats simply unacceptable!!!!!! Then to setup a repair depot you have to fax them a receipt, wait 24-48 hours for them to approve of the repair depot and then you can call them back once again and setup a repair. They send you a box in which YOU have to assemble which I also think isn't acceptable. Plain and simple....Sony's tech just plain sucks! This something Apple would almost never do. Also if you get a Sony...good luck with Vista!
nicely stated about the distortion field; however, i doubt anyone who writes in the macrumors forum isn't biased a bit toward apple.
Personally I prefer the plunky feel of the VAIO SZx and the HP nx keyboards. The MBP feels insubstantial and overlight.
The upper-end SZ - and the VWN in particular - is miles ahead of the Macs, both in terms of engineering and the way it's put together. If you choose the cheaper models, yes I would say they're put together to a more ordinary standard. The only major issue is the Sony Crapware. You'll have to spend about an hour removing some the stuff they fill it up with - but after that it's smooth sailing, or at least it has been for me.
Ah.. the grass is always greener. Hopefully the Jobs Reality Distortion Field will bamboozle you enough not to notice that the Apples probably have more hardware issues in comparison to the Sonys
Apple notebooks are the most reliable computers on the market. And, if they do have an issue, are far easier to fix and at least Apple would ship you a friggin' stick of RAM for christ sakes, a pre-assembled box if needed, and none of this waiting for their records to update for proof of purchase. Personally, I think Sony's are far from Apple's hardware and are the Microsoft of PC hardware. They try as hard as they can to copy Apple, but fall short every time. And no, this isn't Mac fan boy talking. I'm a PC tech and I see this stuff everyday. I use OS X, Windows XP, and Vista every single day and I see a lot of stuff the most people here don't. Just because you never have problems, or your friend who also doesn't have problems, doesn't mean they're perfect. And, thats not to say that Macs are perfect either. Its designed circuitry with moving parts attached, its going to have problems, Apple just has less of them. Just qualifying my remarks here.
I don't agree with this at all. Apple and Sony use the same CPU's so when the MBP is updated, the Vaio isn't far behind and I wouldn't doubt if the Vaio isn't updated before the MBP. You're not going to lose much by getting a MBP now vs a newly updated one. The current models are some of the fastest notebooks on the market.
You can't compare an iPod to a Mac buying experience. They just simply aren't the same!
Sony is a pain in the butt when things go wrong. I work as a PC technician (yeah, yeah I know!) and recently had a customer bring in a 2 week old notebook with a bad stick of RAM as determined by us and confirmed by many RAM testers which all said it was bad. Called up Sony to get a replacement sent to me and they said I had to ship the notebook in because they won't let me replace the RAM. Thats simply unacceptable!!!!!! Then to setup a repair depot you have to fax them a receipt, wait 24-48 hours for them to approve of the repair depot and then you can call them back once again and setup a repair. They send you a box in which YOU have to assemble which I also think isn't acceptable. Plain and simple....Sony's tech just plain sucks! This something Apple would almost never do. Also if you get a Sony...good luck with Vista!
like i said in post #25, i was talking about the looks of the MBP. i dont doubt apple will keep up in the intel chips since the switch.
and tell me why i cant compare an ipod vs laptop buying experience. you declare my faux pas without providing reasons? well, there are many similarities for which you conveniently ignored, so i shant lay them out.
Sony is a pain in the butt when things go wrong. I work as a PC technician (yeah, yeah I know!) and recently had a customer bring in a 2 week old notebook with a bad stick of RAM as determined by us and confirmed by many RAM testers which all said it was bad. Called up Sony to get a replacement sent to me and they said I had to ship the notebook in because they won't let me replace the RAM. Thats simply unacceptable!!!!!! Then to setup a repair depot you have to fax them a receipt, wait 24-48 hours for them to approve of the repair depot and then you can call them back once again and setup a repair. They send you a box in which YOU have to assemble which I also think isn't acceptable. Plain and simple....Sony's tech just plain sucks! This something Apple would almost never do. Also if you get a Sony...good luck with Vista!
I half agree with you. Sony's paid-for support is as bad as Apple, and certainly not on the same level as I'm used to with HP or Dell with equivalent flagship-grade hardware.
You can't compare the iPod to the computer buying experience because its simply two different animals. There's not going to be anything significant changed on the MBP like there would on an iPod that would restrict a users experience. For example, the iPod is a music player that all of sudden gained video and photo capabilities with your experience. This was a major change that made it a totally different iPod. The MBP or any computer for that matter won't see any significant capability changes that will make it that much different. The hardware features in the MBP are pretty much set. The only changes you'll see is possibly a faster CPU, better graphics, and maybe a larger hard drive but thats doubtful.
Sesshi said:
As a frequent caller of Dell and HP, they are no where near Apple's tech support. First of all, I will speak with someone from America, not India. Apple no longer has Indian tech support as far as I know. They have tech support centers in California and Texas for US customers. They are better trained and have always given me better service. And to go with statics, Apple has by far the best tech support of any computer company as supported by independent consumers.
I wouldn't mind seeing a design change of the MBP. The current design is quite old and could use an update. The current design probably stayed the same to get the Intel notebook shipping. They stuck with a design that they know works, but I would agree that its time for a change. I will say though that I love the feel of the keyboard on my MBP.
True. However, this point is uninterestingly obvious, at best. There are very few purely objective commentators regardless of where they choose to post their thoughts.
My only point was that I have personally invested in both sides of the equation and continue to use PC and Mac platforms by both choice and necessity. Now, where I have a choice, I'm moving (back) to Mac.
its like a black and white macbook
Honestly, I'd probably go with the Sony if I were in your situation.
I just sold a 11.1" Sony VAIO (to help pay for my 17" MBP!) so I have first hand knowledge of both.
The reason I'd go with the Sony is that your buddies probably have access, ahem, to the software you need.
With a Mac, you'll buy it all and it gets pricey. Also, I'm sure that your college publishes everything in PC format because it is 90% of the market.
The VAIO is BLOATED with BS software and utilities though. And Sony really is into kludging so reformatting the HD with a clean XP and then adding all the Sony stuff is a REAL PITA!
Trust me. If you don't install their proprietary drivers in the right order or before certain XP updates, it will lock up and you have to start the XP INSTALL all over again (unless you create an image of the disc with something like Acronis).The Sony machine is very fragile. Go to a CompUSA and witness how many keys are missing from their display models.
That said, if you are gentle on machines and can deal with pre-installed AOL, Symantic this and that, Napster, Netscape, and whatever else they toss in, as a student the VAIO is a better fit.
Once the school has failed to turn your brain to mush and you still have some independent thought, then I'd by the Mac.
The reason I'd go with the Sony is that your buddies probably have access, ahem, to the software you need.
That's not true, you can get pretty much anything from the various communities of friends scattered around the internets...
That's not true, you can get pretty much anything from the various communities of friends scattered around the internets...
Well, if your friends are Mr. Torrent and Miss Usenet I can see what you mean!
Just make sure your nosey neighbors aren't Dr. FBI or that over-the-hill Ms. RIAA.
Well, if your friends are Mr. Torrent and Miss Usenet I can see what you mean!
Just make sure your nosey neighbors aren't Dr. FBI or that over-the-hill Ms. RIAA.
big LOL
I actually considered the sony Vaio before the MBP but then I fell in love with the MBP. It is unbeatable. You can't get any better than the MBP. I am actually running my MBP with OSX and Vista Home Premium edition. I personally feel that my MBP runs Vista much faster than my home PC does. I would actually say that my MBP might run Vista as fast if not faster than it does OSX. My home PC has almost the same specs as my MBP. Its a little slower CPU but other than that it is identical. I wouldn't buy anything but the MBP now. I would also look at the Macbook.
Sony Vaio VS Mac Book Pro
well, if you ask me, the answer you'll find here are little bias. It's like going to a ford enthusiast site and ask if you should buy a mustang or a camaro. jeez i wonder what they going to say.
If it's for business and you going to Latin America, trust me, get the Vaio. You do not want to show up at meeting and being the only guy with a mac. They'll see you as a kid.
well, if you ask me, the answer you'll find here are little bias. It's like going to a ford enthusiast site and ask if you should buy a mustang or a camaro. jeez i wonder what they going to say.
If it's for business and you going to Latin America, trust me, get the Vaio. You do not want to show up at meeting and being the only guy with a mac. They'll see you as a kid.
Oh dear. Are you comparing apples to discounted pears like a good fanboy? With the flagship products including paid-for support which are price-comparable with Apple as I qualified, you get to talk to American (and in my case, Irish - which is arguably not much better than Indian in terms of intelligibility
) staff. Although the distinction seems to be becoming blurred - sometimes my account manager puts me through to very knowledgeable second-tier staff presumably in India.As I said, Sony is about as bad as Apple. But at least their equivalent of Applecare is a little cheaper and in my area they offer on-site support now.