Any Switchers From MacBook Pro To Sony

I would like to find out if anyone on this forum has switched from a MacBook Pro to a Sony FW or AW laptop. I currently own a 15" MacBook Pro from a year ago. The Sony FW and AW series have a very nice screen especially the Full HD screen. I plan to use the laptop as a desktop replacement mainly for FileMaker Pro database, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, audio, and video. To me the most important features in a desktop replacement are sharp screen, and a cool and quiet CPU. The things I do not like about the MacBook Pro is the overheating issue which causes the spinning beachball, and the noisy fans to kick in. I am leaning more toward the AW series due to the larger screen and TV tuner. I have an opportunity to sell the MacBook Pro and purchase the Sony AW series. I like the Apple OS X but have used Windows XP. I noticed on this forum that there are ways to slim down Windows Vista by removing bloatware. Will this make Vista closer to OS X? Any words of wisdom. Thanks

 

I haven't switched but I WILL switch to SONY but going to Z series since its light and powerful...better than old macbook pros imo.

 

John what are your reasons for switching to Sony? Do you have a MacBook Pro? Any problems with the laptop? Thanks

 

exactly. The keyword here is old. You can't compare across generations. Any Mac or PC is better than Macs or PCs 3 years ago.

 

My MacBook Pro is one year old. It has the following: 2.2 Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB RAM, 120 GB HD, NVidea GeForce 8600 GT Does this make the comparison to the Sony any closer? The Sony AW 290 I plan to purchase has the following: 2.53 Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 400 GB HD, NVidea 9600 GT
My reasons for switching from the MacBook Pro to the Sony are hardware issues not for speed, or gaming. Thanks

 

My Macbook Pro was SR 2.2ghz 2gb ram with 8600m GT I sold mine in 4 months cause hand rest on the left was buldging cause of the heat and nvidia vid card had problems.

 

Does owning the previous generation MacBook Pro (MB134LL/A) for about 2 weeks or so before I returned it & bought my Z610 count as switching from MBP to a Vaio?

drpje, seeing that you are going to buy the Sony AW 290 with the following config: 2.53 Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 400 GB HD, NVidea 9600 GT, I was wondering why you don't want to consider the new unibody MacBook Pro (MB471LL/A). They are very good laptops, no?

 

I have 2 Macbook Pros (both 15" models), one 2.16 with ATI x1600 and on 2.2 with nvidia 8600 (logic board replaced one because of GPU failure). I still use them for work but bought this FW290 CTO because it has much more in the way of features (Blu-ray, FullHD display, ATI HD3650), cost significantly less and Vista plays all the games I like without the fans going crazy and the case feeling like it's about to melt!

Cheers,

 

The top end AW has a nicer screen, imo; its 1080p with LED backlight. And the same rez on an 18.4 inch screen is easier on the eyes than 16.4 inches.

The laptop is also HUGE with dual HDD bays for you to upgrade.

 

Thanks for the replies. My main reason for switching from the MacBook Pro to the Sony AW 290 is you get more for your money. The AW 290 I mentioned will cost me $1,500 with the 1080p LED backlight screen. The least expensive 15" MacBook Pro is $2,000 For $500 LESS I am getting better hardware, and a larger sharper screen. How is the build quality, reliability, and fan noise on the AW 290. How would it compare to a MacBook Pro. Any of you switchers have problems going from OS X to Vista? I plan to eliminate the bloatware and reinstall the OS as mentioned in these forums. Will this make Vista closer in performance to OS X Thank you all for taking the time to reply. It is making my decision easier

 

In terms of Vista performance.. ive been running Vista on my TZ (U7600 Core2 1.2 GHz, 2GB RAM, 32GB SSD) for almost 2 years. I have full Vista Aero on and RARELY max out my ram, if ever.. and only do so when i have many apps open (Office, Photoshop, Capture NX, Firefox, etc).

So, I dont see why there would be any issues in with performance with the AW, unless the app itself is optimised for OSx. One thing you might want to look into is upgrading the HDD to SSD or at least a 7200RPM unit.

 

I went from a MacBook Pro to a MacBook Air to a Sony Z series.

I switched to Air because of the portability factor and was quite happy with it. However, the 1280x800 resolution was too limiting as I've always used laptops with higher resolutions. I loved the 1600x900 screen on the Z and with Windows 7 on the way, decided to buy one.

Its a nice laptop but after using a Mac for the last 3-4 years, I can see quite a few things that could've been better. Build quality is definitely not as good as the Air or the Unibody based Pros- big difference. I also miss the backlit keyboard. Speakers are also quite crappy (my mono speaker in the Air sounded better). That being said, I will stick with the Sony until Apple releases a higher resolution Air.

@

 

I have to agree on this one. I feel that the built quality of Vaios are getting worse & worse based on personal experience. My opinion on the built quality of the Vaios that I have:

Better...........................Worse
SZ370 > SZ381 > SZ791 > Z610

Of course, this is just my opinion. Everyone in this Sony forum will most likely disagree with me, but that is fine.

 

You can definitely get it (MB470LL/A) for a cheaper price than that through the authorized Apple retailers.

Example:
Amazon.com - $1,868.98
MacMall.com - $1,819.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate)

 

Still way overpriced for what they offer! If you don't care about OS X, Sony is a better value, especially if you have or want to have Blu-ray and HD screen in less than a 17 inch format.

Charging over $1800 for a 1440x900 screen is awful. Apple should be ashamed. I have 2 Macbook Pros and can afford them, however, I just don't see the value in upgrading this time. Not enough difference between the prior models.

Bought this Sony and use the Macbook Pro for work and the Sony for play. Not enough play in the new MBP and I'm still mad at nvidia so no nvidia-based mobile Mac for me.

Cheers,

 

How Apple products are never listed with their processor model. I cant figure out which processor is in that MBP listed above. It better be a p/t9xxx series for that price.

 

Like you said, it depends on what one values to actually say what is overpriced or not.

Of course, in terms of price paid for the "same" hardware, Sony is of better value.... just like Dell or HP is of better value compared to Sony & so on....

 

MB470LL/A - Intel P8600 2.4GHz CPU
MB471LL/A - Intel T9400 2.53GHz CPU

Hope that helps.

 

I have used apples in the past, and I think I am one of the few people that will switch back to Windows.

Before the arrival of Sony Z, I swear by MBPs, but since Z, I have never looked back at apple.

Besides, I still prefer Windows over OSX, just a personal point of view.
I am not saying OSX is bad, just prefer Windows. (not a fanboy of either)

 

Thanks yuhu for the post. It is good to hear that there are people happy with the switch from the MacBook Pro to Sony. There has been so much negative talk about Windows Vista and so much hype about MacBooks and MacBook Pro's it was hard to get an idea. I can see Sony laptop owners staying with Sony, and MacBook Pro owners staying with Apple. When someone switches brands, that is another matter. On the Apple web sites they are constantly showing ads for switchers from Windows to OS X, now it is time for the other way around. My experience with OS X has been good but my experience with Apple hardware bad. I have an iMac as well as a MacBook Pro and both are having problems with the video card and logic board. On the Apple support sites there are LOTS of posts about this problem and Apple does nothing for us. That alone would be reason to switch not counting that you can get a Sony laptop for less and with more hardware features such as Blue Ray, and TV tuner. I also think the MacBook and MacBook Pro are very plain looking compared to the Sony. What do you all think? Thanks

 

I bought a MBP in Feb 06. I owned two in that period and parted with my MBP in March 07 with the intention of buying a powerful light weight 13.3 notebook. I bought a couple of laptops to tide me over and I ended ordering a Dell XPS M1330 in July 07.
The Aluminium MB was not out then of course. Pretty much everything i wanted in a 13.3 notebook then the AL MB has it now.
My needs have changed though so even if i was looking now i would not consider the MB or any other Apple notebook because none of the notebooks meets my needs.
I also used various notebooks after i parted with my Dell. I owned a MB the last gen one and a Samsung notebook.
I ended up getting my SZ in April 08 and i have stuck with it a little while now. I also own a Sony TX which is my travel laptop. I am not planning on buying another laptop this year anyway.

I'm also fine with Windows as well. Using dual operating systems is nice but it doesn't really bother me.

I have also tried out the current 15" MBP, MBA and MB models.

 

In my opinion, you should always take what you read on the forums with a grain of salt. Most positive or negative about Windows Vista, Mac OS X, MBP, Vaios, etc. are all subjective. What works well for you may not work well for others & vice versa. I would suggest that you go with what you feel is "right" for you & not bother too much about people's opinions on such matters. Good luck.