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MacBook vs. Vaio 13.3-inch

bumpy said:
They do a magnesium cased one for quite a chunk less...
Click to expand...
I missed that. It wasn't intentional :eek: Anyways, I think it's a nice change that Apple is finally competitive with their pricing. For so long they've been thought of as over priced - even though most of us haven't minded paying a little more for the design and style of Apple's hardware.
 
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...


Both are very nice laptops but on the PC side I prefer Toshiba laptops over Sony. Anyway, go to toshibadirect.com and you can configure Satellite m100 with similar specifications to those found on MacBook except that Toshiba has a 14.1 TruBrite screen with an ATI Mobility X1300 video card for $1390.


Toshiba (just like most of PC manufacturers) from time to time offers major rebates, I bougth a Satellite notebook with a $300 mail-in rebate which was a steal.

It may not look as attractive on the outside as MacBook but I, for one, don't really care about looks. It's all about performance and as much as people knock Windows XP here I don't have any problems using it nor does it cause any major problems. Windows ME was a horrible OS but XP is probably the most stable Win OS since Win 3.1.

All in all I like computers whether its a Mac or a PC, they are tools, as long as they are stable while also fast I could care less about anything else.
 
MacAficionado said:
If you want something lite. Why not get a PDA?
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Laptops need to be light... I can't believe how much it feels like is added to my backpack when I stick my PowerBook in... (and it's only 4.2 pounds or so).
 
bumpy said:
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...
Click to expand...

I think it IS the magnesium cased version. Sony's feature list for the VGN-SZ140 says "And with its durable magnesium casing, the VAIO® SZ Series is the portrait of sleek, contemporary style."
 
GMA950 is in the northbridge so it's not like it has two separate gpu packages like SLI laptops have.
 
Another comparison

The low end 1.83GHz MacBook costs $1099... a similarly specced Vaio costs $1589.99 (and that's with Windows XP Home, XP Pro would cost $79 more).

Pros of the Sony
NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7400 video card
built in modem
PCMCIA slot (in addition to ExpressCard 34 slot)
memory stick media slot :rolleyes:
lighter weight

Cons of the Sony
no OS X (there's the dealbreaker)
almost $500 more expensive
no Gigabit ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX)
no DVI out (VGA out only apparently)... MacBook needs a $19 adapter

Here's a PDF showing the Sony config and a link to Sony's spec sheet.
 
Got it!

Typing on my new MacBook :p This is a thing of beauty. Just showed up at CompUSA and I walked out with the first - from this store anyways. The display is perfect (no stuck pixels) and it's very bright! I'm sold on the glossy screen now. Wasn't too sure before. Even in my office under the flourescent lights it's crystal clear. Question for current Mac laptop owners - can I delete to the right of the cursor? Heh.

This baby is SWEET :D
 
blitzkrieg79 said:
All in all I like computers whether its a Mac or a PC, they are tools, as long as they are stable while also fast I could care less about anything else.
Click to expand...


Thank you for that shot of fresh rationality. I do prefer good designs on the outside of my computers, but I don't think Apple is the only one putting out good designs. I'm quite fond of the Thinkpads, and Sony does have some nice products.
 
Hey, don't bash the Sony. The Sony is made of magnesium while the Macbook is made of... drumroll ...plastic. The Sony is Made in Japan while the Macbook is Made in China. Those two issues is your price difference right there. Oh yeah and the Sony has a biometric reader too. I'd rather buy the Sony to complement my existing iBook over the Macbook any day of the week. If I didn't already have a Mac computer it would be a different story though. But since I do it's iBook for OS X, VAIO for pimpin magnesium Made in Japan quality.
 
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