***Sony Vaio FW*** Stone-cold killer on a Budget! It was Apple vs Sony for my money.

[wikoogle]

Lmao.

I'm not the one arguing that anyone who refuses to spend $2500 for a laptop with almost all it's specs outdated by atleast one year must be poor. I was one of the people here waiting for MBP refresh with a better gpu and blu ray. In the meanwhile, a better deal came along and thats what i went with.

I'm not the one insinuating that Macbook Pros never have problems or that a laptop you've never touched and that has recieved nothing but praise for it's build quality is shoddy quality because it's not made by apple.

I'm not the one insisting that a $700 laptop that already outspecs a $2500 laptop in 90% of the areas must outspec it in that last area as well.

And I'm not the one who fails to realize that the GPU and the rpm speed of hard drives are by far and away the two biggest bottlenecks for today's laptops.

 

[wikoogle]

Doublepost

 

[Gomff]

I'm not the one pathetically insinuating that Macbook Pros never have problems or that a laptop you've never touched and that has recieved nothing but praise for it's build quality is shoddy quality because it's not made by apple.

That's funny, because there's a few posts in this very thread from other people who talk about shoddy build quality, bad placement of power socket, dim screen, low res screen (not even 1080p, so why bother with blu ray?) and so on.

I'm not the one insisting that a $700 laptop that already outspecs a $2500 laptop in 90% of the areas must outspec it in that last area as well.

So where's the Magsafe on your laptop then? Unibody / aluminum case design? superior battery life? great screen? back lit keyboard? OS X?

I'm not the one arguing that anyone who refuses to spend $2500 for a laptop with almost all it's specs outdated by atleast one year must be poor.

No, you're the cheap PC laptop owner hanging out on a Mac forum trying to make themselves feel better about settling for something second rate. Why don't you just admit that this is about money and envy?

And I'm not the one who fails to realize that the GPU and the rpm speed of hard drives are by far and away the two biggest bottlenecks for today's laptops.

No, the biggest bottlenecks are bloated operating systems filled up with crapware, that take ages to start up and shut down after a few months because of having too many background processes running. Not to mention over the top security software to "protect" you from malware and ID theft, endless security patches and restarts, random hard drive spinning frenzies, DRM'd everything from web browsers to media players requiring constant "Genuine advantage" checks.

I've been a Windows user and as far as I'm concerned, you can keep it.

BTW, what's up with the double posts? Is the button on your track pad malfunctioning already?

 

[wikoogle]

No the wifi on my iPhone is malfunctioning.

Your post reeks of fanboyism and ignorance. And like I said, I'm a mac and windows user sick of apples crappy pricing and delays.

 

[Tanegashima]

Yes, but it has OS X? No? Thank you very much.

 

[opinioncircle]

Nice pick up . Looks nice as well !!!

 

[wikoogle]

Thanks. I updated my op a bit.

I'll take pictures of the laptop once my zagg skin arrives. I'm going to peel off all the stickers (Windows 7, Ati, Intel Inside etc) on the laptop, clean it from top to bottom and apply the skin and take lots of pics once I do.

Simply go to zagg.com and click where it says "Win a Free Apple iPad" in the bottom right corner of the screen.

They will email you a coupon code good for between 20-50% off. If they only send you the 20% off or 30% off coupon.

Use Hotspot Shield to hide your ip and submit multiple entries using multiple email addresses until you score an email with a 40% or 50% off coupon code.

 

[hd0]

...and the point of posting this in the Macbook Pro, PowerBook section was?

if you like and enjoy your new laptop, great, but i doubt anyone else cares. if anything, you sound like some salesman trying too hard.

and before you start whining about me being a fanboy, I use osx, win7 (gaming), and linux (work)

 

[wikoogle]

How is this any different than the threads about the Vaio Z or HP Envy. This isn't the official Apple forums. It's a fan site. We are allowed to talk about Macbook Pro competitors and alternatives here.

This laptop is a comptetitor to the MBP.

Read my posts, I was waiting for the MBP refresh and for Apple to implement features like Blu Ray and a better GPU like everyone else, and got sick of waiting.

This laptop met all of my needs and my wishlist, and I'm sure I'm not the only person here who's needs it meets.

If I was trying to sell you the laptop, I wouldn't tell you that it's worth it to get a zagg skin to protect the laptop because the original paint supposedly wears away over time and scratches easily.

 

[Raje]

Liking apple products isn't what makes you a fanboy. Posting detailed criticisms of a laptop you've never touched and that fly in the face of what the reviews by professional sites that actually used the laptop and posting false statements about windows 7 is what makes you a fanboy.

He doesn't have to touch it to realize the build quality is not as good, nor to see that the screen is not as good, nor to see that the RAM is DDR2 and not DDR3. As for the reviews those are short term not long term last year I bought two PCs; an HP laptop and a desktop I built myself. The HP was a very good computer for a few months then it started getting slow. By this time the Windows 7 RC was announced, so I built a desktop and installed Windows 7 on it. My desktop flew but after 6 months it started to become sluggish and now there are all kinds of minor issues and the speed is not where it used to be (looks like I'll need a clean install ) So I can honestly say Windows 7 is no Mac OSX.

But if you are happy with your purchase good, just don't come here and tell me that Windows 7 is as good as OSX. And don't try to convince me that I can get a laptop that will "kill" a mac for a third of the price. And right now Apples prices are super high but they should be justified by the specs soon. So enjoy your comp for however long it lasts.

P.S. Personally I think the design of the sony is ugly. Too thick in the back and the plastic makes it look cheap.

 

[wikoogle]

The newer Sony F series looks butt ugly. But this particular model (the FW) looks gorgeous. Also don't understand why you mentioned HP. HP is crap. Vaio is lightyears ahead of HP in terms of build quality and design.

Have you actually seen it?

I'll take my own eyes, over the claims of someone who admits to never having seen the laptop in person.

In person, the laptop and the screen look gorgeous and the build quality is fantastic. It doesn't matter to me how cheap it might look in pictures. In person, it actually looks better than the MBP in my honest opinion.

As for Windows 7 vs. OS X. It's all down to personal opinion. But to make the claim that OS X is objectively faster, or better than Windows 7 is stupid.

I hackintoshed this to dual boot both, and I honestly prefer Windows 7 by a good margin. Software on OS X is still quite some ways behind Windows 7. Yes, all the major applications and utitlies are there. But the more niche software products are still lacking a good bit. And lets not talk about games.

In terms of performance, if you know what you're doing, Windows 7 is every bit as fast or faster than Mac OS X. To achieve this, you need to do a fresh clean install of the OS to get rid of all the bloatware, download and install Microsoft Security Essentials (it's completely free and displaces the need for any antivirus or spyware programs), and maybe defrag your hdd once an year. Also important, prevent programs from starting up with windows.

The ONLY program that should startup with windows is Microsoft Security Essentials. Use ccleaner (it's a free program) to disable everything else from booting up with Windows. Do that, and a Windows 7 pc will run just as fast or faster than a similarly specced OS X pc. Yes, that is more maintenence work than with OS X, but it's really not a big deal. It's pretty foolish to build a new pc in 6 months rather than simply installing microsoft security essentials and disabling all other programs from starting up with windows.

 

[Raje]

The newer Sony F series looks butt ugly. But this particular model (the FW) looks gorgeous. Also don't understand why you mentioned HP. HP is crap.

I mentioned the HP to show that Windows does slow down.

Vaio is lightyears ahead of HP in terms of build quality and design.

Have you actually seen it?

Yes I have. At Best Buy. Personally, it did nothing visual for me and I did not like the feel of the track pad. IDK what it was about it but it did nothing for me. But to each is his own so if you like it that's cool but I don't.

I'll take my own eyes, over the claims of someone who admits to never having seen the laptop in person.

In person, the laptop and the screen look gorgeous and the build quality is fantastic. It doesn't matter to me how cheap it might look in pictures. In person, it actually looks better than the MBP in my honest opinion.

Like I said you are entitled to your own opinion but I feel differently.

As for Windows 7 vs. OS X. I don't really want to get into that discussion.

I hackintoshed this to dual boot both, and I honestly prefer Windows 7. Gaming on OS X is still years behind Windows and that's important to me.

In terms of performance, if you know what you're doing, Windows 7 is faster than Mac OS X. To achieve this, you need to do a fresh clean install of the OS to get rid of all the bloatware, download and install Microsoft Security Essentials (it's completely free and displaces the need for any antivirus or spyware programs), and maybe defrag your hdd once an year. Prevent programs from starting up with windows. The ONLY program that should startup with windows or run in the background is Microsoft Security Essentials. Use ccleaner (it's a free program) to disable EVERYTHING else. Do that, and it'll run as good as new always. Yes, that is more maintenence work than with OS X, but it's really not a big deal. It's pretty foolish to build a new pc in 6 months rather than simply installing microsoft security essentials and disabling all other programs from starting up with windows.

I have both of my computers set up like this clean install from day one, avera (for antivirus I prefer it over MSE), I have only avera running. I do not intend to build a new comp any time soon. I was just stating that it is starting to slow down. I do however intend to buy a MBP after the updates because like you said HP is crap.

 

[wikoogle]

Rather than getting a new computer.

Just download "ccleaner", and run that (it's free). Use ccleaner to disable all startup programs other than antivirus (ccleaner also lets you clean out your registry and delete junk to free up space). And defrag your computer once. It should run as good as new.

That's what I would do.

 

[Jamuke]

I can't wait to get my first macbook but I really can't stand the fanboys, it's actually really sad.

The sony laptop looks great and I was looking at them until I decided to get a macbook pro. If Apple doesn't refresh their pro's this month, I'll definitely get a Sony laptop.

 

[chocolate632]

In terms of performance, if you know what you're doing, Windows 7 is every bit as fast or faster than Mac OS X. To achieve this, you need to do a fresh clean install of the OS to get rid of all the bloatware, download and install Microsoft Security Essentials (it's completely free and displaces the need for any antivirus or spyware programs), and maybe defrag your hdd once an year. Also important, prevent programs from starting up with windows.

The ONLY program that should startup with windows is Microsoft Security Essentials. Use ccleaner (it's a free program) to disable everything else from booting up with Windows. Do that, and a Windows 7 pc will run just as fast or faster than a similarly specced OS X pc. Yes, that is more maintenence work than with OS X, but it's really not a big deal. It's pretty foolish to build a new pc in 6 months rather than simply installing microsoft security essentials and disabling all other programs from starting up with windows.

I personally don't like the computer from the pics that you posted, but I've never seen one in real life so I can't really say much about it.

Anyways, thanks for this advice! I only have an iMac, but my uncle has an older Sony Vaio thats still running Vista and all that crap that comes with it. I've been trying to convince him to let me install 7 on it and use something other than Norton, but he thinks I'm going to mess it up or something. I can see how slow it runs and how much garbage is on it, but he is completely oblivious to the fact.

When I eventually get through to him, I will use your advice

Thanks!

 

[Sn0wball]

Indeed, there's no need to use Norton stuff, period. Their software is entirely redundant.

Norton (Symantec) just get notebook retailers to bundle their stuff with it for unassuming people who don't know any better, in order to get subscriptions.

My uncle also had Norton too, until he became a bit more au fait with things and was happy to accept a few hints from me. Got him to uninstall everything Norton-based, install Avast in its place, and the laptop sprang into life, he was amazed.

I wouldn't be surprised if Norton was run by Apple to annoy PC users for no reason at all. jk

 

[chocolate632]

Indeed, there's no need to use Norton stuff, period. Their software is entirely redundant.

Norton (Symantec) just get notebook retailers to bundle their stuff with it for unassuming people who don't know any better, in order to get subscriptions.

My uncle also had Norton too, until he became a bit more au fait with things and was happy to accept a few hints from me. Got him to uninstall everything Norton-based, install Avast in its place, and the laptop sprang into life, he was amazed.

I wouldn't be surprised if Norton was run by Apple to annoy PC users. jk

Anyway I can convince mine?
He is completely clueless when it comes to anything other than browsing the web or downloading porn

 

[wikoogle]

Lol, you could always just infect it with a virus or crash the computer when he's not around. Nah, don't do that.

If u do get thru to him, you could also uninstall Internet explored and install firefox with the adblock plus and scriptblock addins so that there's no way he can get a virus no matter howmany porn ads he clicks on, and install google chrome as the alternative browser.

 

[August West]

And this is being posted on a Mac forum because.....?

I'm with you. I've never understood why people post this kind of crap on these forums. Now that he is in PC nirvana hopefully he'll scurry off to some Sony/PC forum somewhere and let them know what an outstanding decision he has made.

 

[macjonny1]

OK I have a 17MBP (SR 2.4GHz) from 2007, and a Sony VAIO VGN-FW465J/B as well. Bought the Sony last year as I got an amazing deal and I wanted the blu-ray, along with the ability to run the few windows-only programs I had without putting windows on my MBP. Anyway, here are two reasons why I hate using it regularly: The incredibly crappy speakers (can't even play a decent movie on it, absolute crap). Also, the very crappy scroll bar and buttons. This is where the fit and finish come in on the mac where you just can't compare to these plasticky computers. The Sony is a great deal, and the specs for the money blow away the MBP, but there are things beyond the specs!

 

[gwsat]

I'm with you. I've never understood why people post this kind of crap on these forums. Now that he is in PC nirvana hopefully he'll scurry off to some Sony/PC forum somewhere and let them know what an outstanding decision he has made.

I support the right of even the most virulent Mac haters to post here. it's the nature of special interest forums to draw contrary opinions. That said, I can't help but wonder whether the factor that most often draws the haters is whatever it is that prevents them from them buying a Macbook Pro or Macbook Air. It leads me to suspect that they are either too stingy to buy the best or can't afford to, and it has made them jealous and angry. That was a joke but there is nonetheless a core of truth there.

 

[chocolate632]

Lol, you could always just infect it with a virus or crash the computer when he's not around. Nah, don't do that.

If u do get thru to him, you could also uninstall Internet explored and install firefox with the adblock plus and scriptblock addins so that there's no way he can get a virus no matter howmany porn ads he clicks on, and install google chrome as the alternative browser.

I think he has firefox, he just never used it.

He was having a problem with a virus a few days ago. I said i'll backup his stuff and install Windows 7 for him. He said alright and I backed up his stuff. I put the computer to sleep and when I turned it back on, the virus popups stopped popping up and the computer seemed normal. He praised me for fixing it, even though I insisted that all I did was backup the files and hadn't really done anything yet, and that its still infected. He shrugged it off and opened Solitaire

Yeah, I don't think there's any getting through to him..

 

[wikoogle]

Lol, i don't why some of you guys have such a problem with any criticism of apple. I could just as easily argue that it's MBP users who are jealous of the high end components that PC users are getting that aren't available on PCs.

I'm not going to, because the fact remains, I still like Apple and OS X. Before Windows 7, I swore by OS X. Now though, I'm very impressed with what Microsoft put out. From what I've seen, Windows 7 actually outperforms OS X in Office, Photoshop and pretty much all the major applications (just as long as you're smart enough to do a fresh install of windows and use ccleaner and Microsoft Security Essentials (or Avast/AVG). And thus I switched back over to Windows.

It is a fact that Macbook Pros are severely outdated. It is a fact that even with the next upgrade, Apple will in all likelihood refuse to adopt blu ray or a cutting edge graphics card and thus the laptops will continue to remain outdated despite their very premium price tag (though not quite as outdated as they currently are).

It is a fact that a you could get a PC with the bleeding edge tech that outpaces the highest end Macbook pro for one third of the price.

If OS XI or whatever ends up leap frogging Windows 7 again, and MBP's finally catch up to PCs spec wise, I will probably switch back in an year or so. And if you know what you're doing, you can easily dual boot both OSX and Windows 7 on a hackintoshed PC computer without much work.

Similarly, when the iPhone came out, I was blown away by what Apple did with the iPhone OS and iPhone Safari and switched. But if when my contract runs out this year, I'm not impressed by Apple's iPhone HD and iPhone OS 4, I may very well switch over to a high end Andriod Phone like Sprint Evo 4G.

It's fanboyish to swear by one and only one company and only buy products from them, even when they fall far behind competitors. It makes sense to go with whichever company is producing the best products at the moment.

chocalate,

Perhaps you could convince him by explaining that Windows 7 comes with two different versions of Solitaire, both the current one that he loves, and also Spider Solitaire which is even better.

Seriously though, it seems like he is on the verge of letting you upgrade, esp now that all his stuff is backed up.

Just do the fresh install of Windows 7 next time (don't even put that thing to sleep). Put Microsoft Security Essentials and ccleaner on it.

And I'm guessing that even though you installed Firefox, you left internet explorer in the taskbar with the giant e. If you're not willing to uninstall internet explorer completely, you should remove the e from the task bar and the desktop atleast and put both firefox and google chrome in the task bar and desktop in it's place. Don't even tell him too much about Chrome, just show him how to use Firefox. He will automatically switch over if that's the only icon on the taskbar and desktop. Install the Adblock Plus and Script blocking add ons for firefox and make that the default browser.

Also if you can, teach him how to use ccleaner (esp to remove the programs that start up with windows on their own). It's a exceedingly simple program to use.

 

[chocolate632]

chocalate,

Perhaps you could convince him by explaining that Windows 7 comes with two different versions of Solitaire, both the current one that he loves, and also Spider Solitaire which is even better.

Seriously though, it seems like he is on the verge of letting you upgrade, esp now that all his stuff is backed up.

Just do the fresh install of Windows 7 next time (don't even put that thing to sleep).

And I'm guessing that even though you installed Firefox, you left internet explorer in the taskbar with the giant e. If you're not willing to uninstall internet explorer completely, you should remove the e from the task bar and the desktop atleast and put both firefox and google chrome in the task bar and desktop in it's place. Don't even tell him too much about Chrome, just show him how to use Firefox. He will automatically switch over if that's the only icon on the taskbar and desktop. Install the Adblock Plus and Script blocking add ons for firefox and make that the default browser.

Yeah im gonna have him come over one day and teach him how to properly use a computer

 

[kaiserben]

Specs on the paper mean nothing.