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MacBook vs. Vaio 13.3-inch

Cooknn

Cooknn

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Aug 23, 2003
2,111
0
Fort Myers, FL
This might surprise you.

I configured both notebook computers as closely as I could.

Configuration:
13.3-inch 1280x800 'XBrite/Glossy' Display
Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz processor
512MB SDRAM (256x2)
60GB Hard Drive

As configured the Sony Vaio only has a CD-RW/DVD Drive, but it does have a Hybrid Graphic System - nVidia GeForce Go 7400 and the Intel GMA 950. The MacBook as a DVD±RW/CD-RW Superdrive and Intel GMA 950.

s.jpg
Price: Sony Vaio $1908.99

a.jpg
Price: Apple MacBook $1299.00

Oh, I forgot to mention - the Sony runs Windows XP and the Apple runs OS X :D
 
So somehow Sony managed to fit two GPU's in their laptop, and Apple only put one... Weak sauce Apple!

And what are the sizes and weights of the laptops?
 
Cooknn said:
This might surprise you.

I configured both notebook computers as closely as I could.

Configuration:
13.3-inch 1280x800 'XBrite/Glossy' Display
Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz processor
512MB SDRAM (256x2)
60GB Hard Drive

As configured the Sony Vaio only has a CD-RW/DVD Drive, but it does have a Hybrid Graphic System - nVidia GeForce Go 7400 and the Intel GMA 950. The MacBook as a DVD±RW/CD-RW Superdrive and Intel GMA 950.

s.jpg
Price: Sony Vaio $1908.99

a.jpg
Price: Apple MacBook $1299.00

Oh, I forgot to mention - the Sony runs Windows XP and the Apple runs OS X :D
Click to expand...


Ok, I would go with the macbook. Sony is quite new to computers, so I would give this some time. You use a Mac, so you pobably prefer OSX to WinBlowsUp.:)
 
Capt Underpants said:
So somehow Sony managed to fit two GPU's in their laptop, and Apple only put one... Weak sauce Apple!

And what are the sizes and weights of the laptops?
Click to expand...
Apple MacBook:
Size and weight
  • Height: 1.08 inches
  • Width: 12.78 inches
  • Depth: 8.92 inches
  • Weight: 5.2 pounds
Sony Vaio:
Size and weight
  • Height: 1.5 inches
  • Width: 12.5 inches
  • Depth: 9.3 inches
  • Weight: 4.07 pounds

Hmmm. They got the 2nd GPU in there and for less weight! But for $600+ more money and a crap OS. I'll stick with my MacBook, thank you! :D


OT: imacintel What Airline do you fly for? :eek:

imacintel
macrumors regular
Location: Piloting a 747 while visiting MR
 
iGary said:
Oooh, cool, Dave - you got a MacBook - how are you running PTMac et al?
Click to expand...
I'll let ya know. Don't have it - quite yet! Eagerly anticipating for sure :) I already know that the Intel Mac's run the pano stuff fine. It's just a matter of speed - I'm very curious to see how the MacBook does...
 
Cooknn said:
I'll let ya know. Don't have it - quite yet! Eagerly anticipating for sure :) I already know that the Intel Mac's run the pano stuff fine. It's just a matter of speed - I'm very curious to see how the MacBook does...
Click to expand...

Cool. I just tried out PTBatch on the Quad and it did all 6 stitches in like 1:30 with all four cores working...then it hit Enblend...80% and 3 minutes. :rolleyes:

Congerats, bud. Let us know how you make out. :)
 
iGary said:
Cool. I just tried out PTBatch on the Quad and it did all 6 stitches in like 1:30 with all four cores working...then it hit Enblend...80% and 3 minutes. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Just crunched 7 nodes on my Dual 2GHz. 12 minutes 45 seconds with Enblend. Not bad! The MacBook will be good for a node here and a node there - just to show off what I do. That and the fact that I'll *finally* be mobile - and with OS X! I never bought into the web on a cellphone thing. Waited patiently for this iteration of the consumer laptop. We'll call it a prosumer laptop. Yeah, a dedicated GPU would have been nice. And the <cough> glossy screen might be unecessary, but it's a damn good deal, and I can't wait to pack it in my Tamrac's secret pocket with my D70s. I think I'm gonna have to get another bag though - just for the MacBook :eek:

dmw007 said:
Go with the MacBook! Do you really want a PeeCee? :eek: :confused:
Click to expand...
No way! This information was posted so that others might see the light ;) I was actually quite surprised to see that Apple was very competitive with their price!
 
Cooknn said:
No way! This information was posted so that others might see the light ;) I was actually quite surprised to see that Apple was very competitive with their price!
Click to expand...


Sorry, now that I went and reread your post, I see you were not actually considering buying a PeeCee. :eek: I knew that you were smart enough not to go and do a thing like that. :) :) :)


And yes, Apple is competitive with their pricing! :)
 
Ooh I've heard of this notebook! You can switch between graphics cards to save battery life!! Don't knock Sony so much, they are really solidly built. However do NOT buy from Sonystyle.. it's a huge ripoff. Go to futureshop/bestbuy and wait for a sale if you want to go with the Vaio.
 
Please don't forget that the sony is just half weight as the macbook
and it has a decent graphic card

these two alone worth the price differenes

only sad thing is it doesnt run macosx.

darn
 
stefan15 said:
Ooh I've heard of this notebook! You can switch between graphics cards to save battery life!! Don't knock Sony so much, they are really solidly built. However do NOT buy from Sonystyle.. it's a huge ripoff. Go to futureshop/bestbuy and wait for a sale if you want to go with the Vaio.
Click to expand...

So the graphics cards operate one or the other, and switch on the fly? Or are they capable of cooperating to boost performance, or having one run the external screen, or something else like that?
 
iSaint said:
Oh, ok, I am familiar with that...surprisingly! thanks! Where do you do your work Cooknn?
Click to expand...
I work in Southwest Florida. You can see my work by clicking the link in my sig :)

mkrishnan said:
So the graphics cards operate one or the other, and switch on the fly? Or are they capable of cooperating to boost performance, or having one run the external screen, or something else like that?
Click to expand...
I think I read that it's one or the other. Performance or Battery Life for the most part.
 
you can pretty much do the same thing with the Macbook Pro i believe. compared to sony, apple is pretty cheep!
 
Sony Vaio

New boy here, please no flushing of heads...

The graphics cards on that Sony are not hot-swappable, you have to re-boot as soon as you flick the switch.

The Intel one is best for battery life, the nVidia is best for games.

Also, isn't it a bit unfair to do a price comparison with the fancier carbon fiber cased version of the Sony? They do a magnesium cased one for quite a chunk less...

Still, I'd go with the MacBook.
 
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