Mac Book or Blu-Ray Vaio

ec18

I'm buying a new laptop and I can't decide whether to get the 2.4 GHz White MacBook or a BLU-Ray Vaio.

Any recommendations?

zAbbo

Whats the models/specs of both?

Do you watch BR movies?

Voodu Child

Forget about blu-ray, what you need to decide is if you want OSX or Vista.

Not even going to touch on that issue here, there's tonnes of threads about it, and loads of info on the interweb if you search for it.

ec18

The specs are near identical, MACBOOK is 13" and the VAIO 15".....both have 2GB RAM and 2.4GHZ core 2 duo and similar size HD....The blu ray drive is the only reason why I'm considering the VAIO...I probably would watch BLU-RAY movies if I had the drive/player

ec18

Is Vista as bad as I hear?....I think I'd like to try OSX

kaisersose77

any point paying extra for a laptop blu ray drive considering the size of the screen? Its just having a blu ray drive for the sake of having a blu ray drive.

Maybe if it was a blu ray burner it might be worth having but even then its a waste of money as blank blu ray disks are a rip off.

ec18

I presume that i'd be able to connect it up to my HD tv and use it as a blu ray player....thats the main reason for considering it...

BanzaiBk

What will you use your laptop for? If it's dependant on the Bluray thing obviously just get that one. Most people get Macs for OSX.

ec18

I'd use it for programming and mathematical and physics simulations.....I think of OSX as a nice compromise between windows and linux....am I wrong?

zAbbo

In many ways OSX is a superior OS...

But I think you're a little unsure of what you want, and what the typical usage of the laptop will be.

Overheal

Never used a Mac OS but I have no real big issues with vista. It has its quirks but youll get that with any OS I assure you. What startles me is I've been running vista for 7 months now and not one blue screen of death If you're up to learning something else though might as well give osx a shot. If youre the stubborn type (like me) vista might be more your thing.

BanzaiBk

ec18 wrote: »

I'd use it for programming and mathematical and physics simulations.....I think of OSX as a nice compromise between windows and linux....am I wrong?

Are the programs you want to use Windows only or do they have Mac counterparts? If they are Windows only you will have to have use bootcamp or VMware/Parallels to run them on a Mac, aswell as an OSX licence. If they have counterparts thats great, but if the above sounds a bit hassleish I wouldn't bother with a mac.

ec18

BanzaiBk wrote: »

Are the programs you want to use Windows only or do they have Mac counterparts? If they are Windows only you will have to have use bootcamp or VMware/Parallels to run them on a Mac, aswell as an OSX licence. If they have counterparts thats great, but if the above sounds a bit hassleish I wouldn't bother with a mac.

They are all open source and mac versions are available for all of them

AlmightyCushion

Then it's really down to which you'd rather. A smaller, lighter laptop running osx or the bigger screen and blu-ray of the sony.

BanzaiBk

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Then it's really down to which you'd rather. A smaller, lighter laptop running osx or the bigger screen and blu-ray of the sony.

Exactly. MacBook won't let you down, neither will a Vaio though. I loved my TX

zAbbo

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Then it's really down to which you'd rather. A smaller, lighter laptop running osx or the bigger screen and blu-ray of the sony.

Without knowing the model, I think even the 15" vaio would possibly be lighter than the macbook.

AlmightyCushion

BanzaiBk wrote: »

Exactly. MacBook won't let you down, neither will a Vaio though. I loved my TX

Well asustek produce some of the mac range and last time I checked they also produced some laptops for sony so chances are they could both be built in the same factory by the same workers.

zAbbo wrote: »

Without knowing the model, I think even the 15" vaio would possibly be lighter than the macbook.

Very true, I naturally just assume smaller equals lighter, not always the case.

MDTyKe

I'll help you out - get the Macbook.

I bought a macbook in April past, and never regretted it - though on saying that it's down with Mactivate at the moment for repair, but nothing major; just wanted a little service since my 1yr warranty is up in April. Thinking of buying another 2 years (Applecare) for peace of mind

Go for it - you'll love it. On the macs, anything can freeze and nothing else is affected.. its very nifty; you will not forget it.. trust me. (Also get the black one for extra umph). Don't be sold by extra RAM; I got 2GB from 7dayshop.com for about 20 quid and its great.


Matt

ec18

MDTyKe wrote: »

I'll help you out - get the Macbook.

I bought a macbook in April past, and never regretted it - though on saying that it's down with Mactivate at the moment for repair, but nothing major; just wanted a little service since my 1yr warranty is up in April. Thinking of buying another 2 years (Applecare) for peace of mind

Go for it - you'll love it. On the macs, anything can freeze and nothing else is affected.. its very nifty; you will not forget it.. trust me. (Also get the black one for extra umph). Don't be sold by extra RAM; I got 2GB from 7dayshop.com for about 20 quid and its great.


Matt

Is the black one worth the extra money?....the only difference I can see is that it has a bigger hard drive

Also If I but my MacBook in the states can I just buy a European adapter for it or do i need a transformer?

ec18

Last question to use Wireless with a mac do you just need the necessary WEP/WPA key?

AlmightyCushion

ec18 wrote: »

Last question to use Wireless with a mac do you just need the necessary WEP/WPA key?

I haven't used a mac but I'd imagine it would be.

Hugh_C

ec18 wrote: »

Last question to use Wireless with a mac do you just need the necessary WEP/WPA key?

Whatever way the network is set up - if it's a WEP/WPA network, then yes, you'll need the keys.

For an overview of the MacBook wireless capabilities, look here.

Oh, and as a user of OSX since the day it came out, I personally find it great, not perfect though, like any OS.

ec18

Cool thanks a lot for the advice and recommendations...think I'll go with the MacBook