VAIO S/SZ Series vs. Macbook

This is an inquiry for the people who own or have had experience with both the Sony VAIO S & SZ Series and Apple Macbook:

What do you have to say about the build quality of both notebooks? Which one is better? Do the magnesium parts on the VAIOs make a difference?

How is the battery life in OS X and XP on the Macbook compared to XP on the VAIOs?

Any input on the other things, such as heat, performance, weight, etc.?

Much thanks for answering.

 

I was looking at the SZ Series as well, but I just can't justify the $800 price difference.

 

The macbook has fewer loose or moving parts. The only real moving part on the macbook is the lid's hinge. On the sz, I have the dvd tray, the hinge may scratch the notebook, the spacebar does not register in all places when pressed. That's all that I can think of right now. But with that said, the carbon fiber lid and brushed aluminum palmrest makes the sz feel very sold.

I also had a s580 and a friend with a s170 series. It is a very soldid notebook and his particular notebook is just as sturdy as the day he bought it.

I never truly tested the battery life on the sz, but I'm getting about 3.5 hrs I believe. I don't have the time to test the battery on the macbook, but I am getting the feeling that the battery lasts longer than the sz.

 

SZ also has dedicated gfx card,

not as heavy (i THINK the sz can be considered as an ultraportable?),

not as warm (i only own a SZ but i read in some magazines that macbooks run quite hot... whlie my sz barely ever runs hot)

 

^^ All true, the sz is like holding a stack of papers, versus holding a textbook like the macbook.

My macbook gets really hot only after ~45 mins of use. As for the gfx card, I really haven't needed it, but I can see how it can come in handy.

 

Oh yes, my sz160 gets really hot too (undernetah in the corner), but only after prolonged use.

 

If you are a Windows user that can afford the SZ, then by all means go for it. You will NOT be disappointed.

 

I'm a SZ120P/B user and was considering a Macbook until yesterday.
I also have an G4 iBook that I use in the studio.

Since the iBook runs kind of hot, I wanted to look at the Macbook.
As it turns out, the Macbooks run just as hot, or even hotter.
Macbook Pro runs even hotter.
It was a major turn off for me, because "hot" tends to slow things down.

On the other hand, the SZ runs very cool.
I have it on all day, and all night, and it does not get uncomfortable.
Yes, it is a bit more expensive, but I believe its one of the fewer models that are actually made in Japan.
I've had the SZ for about 2 weeks and have been using it in a business environment and have no concerns.

 

The SZ I played with at Circuit City left a little to be desired quality wise, wasnt expecting this from Sony. When you pressed on the back of the screen, it resulted in severe distortion.

 

The sz is more featured packed. The notebook doesn't feel as solid to me as the macbook, but I don't have any major complaints that would justify not buying the sz again. You can get a sz non premium now for around the same price as the macbook. You can't go wrong with either.

 

Right, the MacBook does and is, imo, more solid. But it all boils down to XP or OS X.

 

Sony is also known to have one of the worst customer service in the CE industry. Other than the screen flex which is a sign of poor quality, i have also noticed KB flex on the Sony lineup at my local BB and CC stores. Other than the solid build of a laptop, the after sales service/customer support is the most important thing IMO.