Where is Sony's Macbook challenger?

I know they had the Sony SR series (13.3") laptops but now that those are gone, what is filling the niche?

I really want some Macbook Pro alternatives since I really don't necessarily need Mac OSX.

Sure there is the Z but that is way too pricey and the CW is too big and clunky with poor battery performance.

 

there is an S series Vaio as well. If you are in the US, you can only get it at Bestbuy (I think). Europe and Asia have much better models available. US might get better options with the S during the next refresh (Spring I believe).

 

macbook pro = Z series

 

Z way too pricey? It falls right in the price range of the MBP

 

The Z is an oddball in the 13.1" category. It is way faster than the 13" Macbook and still beats the 15" Macbook spec for spec, even screen resolution.

This is of course noting that the 15" Macbook has a larger screen

Anybody know what Apple is doing with the 512GB SSD? $1,300 upgrade?? It better be a quad drive like in the Z, or that's just crazy.

 

I doubt it's a quad drive.

The price is indeed expensive, but not that dearer than the ones being sold here Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Hard Drives,SSD,512GB

 

Heck, if they put a PCI-based SSD in the laptop, I'd jump ship and use a Mac... and I don't like OSX

 

Yes.

My brother bought his MBP right around when I got my Z119. Compared to the Z it's heavy but it's got longer battery life.

 

Match it up with an extended battery and the Z will get similar life.

 

It looks like Apple are using the 512GB Toshiba 2.5 SSD.
Apple - Support - Discussions - SSD Manufacturer in the latest MBP ...

 

Apple's 13" product line is completely destroyed by VPC-Z11. No offense to flame but it's the truth...

 

at least if you buy a macbook you can keep warm during the cold season.

the s/z out performs any apple by far

 

The CW series has almost identical specs to the newest Macbook pro line. Except for the fact they have an additional USB port, Blu Ray, HDMI out, and can cost almost a grand less =)

 

Like said in the first reply, the S series is the natural competitor to the Macbook (not Pro).

 

...and don't forget that you can get Blu-Ray on a Sony

 

The Z series is around $1700...While the Macbook Pro is around $1199 to start...

So obviously Sony doesn't have a challenger.

 

Well, I compared both because I was seriously considering the MBP. Similarly outfitted they are very comparable in price. The setup I got sith the Z for $2500 was looking more like 3K on the MBP.

So I think that people mean: Comparing apples and apples (so to speak)

 

These comparisons are idiotic. Go buy a mac.

 

Someday I thought about buying MBP, but found that it have ugly screen resolution.

 

Not on price though. The 13 Macbook pro is reasonably priced at a base price of $1200, vs $1900 for the Sony. And the Mac support system of course beats the pants off of Sony, who in my experience, have a long history of being a "hit and run" type of company. So there are pluses and minuses. Sony has clearly targeted the extreme "specs" oriented customer and the "cutting edge" type of folks that dont mind paying a 40% premium for what is maybe a 10-15% performance lead.

What is more surprising for me, given what Sony did with the 13" Z series, is that they did not take the step further and produce a 14" or 15" with similar concept (very light lightweight and powerful). Something like a 14" Sony at 4lbs with a high quality1680 x 1050 screen would be a product that would have real chance at eating market share from not only the Apple 15" Macbook Pro, but also Lenovo's T410s.

 

That's why Sony has the S series. It's priced below the 13" MBP.

It has Core i3 and i5 options.

Somehow it seems to be available in US only through Bestbuy. In Europe there is more choice.

 

Apple - Mac - Which MacBook are you? - Comparison Chart

Unfortunately if you're looking at the VPC-Z1, Apple has nothing that can match it in size and specifications. The new Z simply murders everyone on the market. The closest is the +$2000 15 inch i7 Macbook Pro but a closer inspection reveals the video card has half the memory of the Z and probably weights a lot more. (15 versus 13 inch laptop) Heck the Z series with standard battery weights about as much as a MacBook Air for comparison. So sorry Apple fans, Sony's technology is far ahead.

 

Apple vs. Oranges as they say.

MBP has a C2D processor, a quasi-discrete GPU with far less VRAM, no SSD by default, etc.. if you add an SSD the price is closer to the VAIO Z.

I love the rigid keyboard of the MBP tho' - it's awesome.

 

The comparison is Sony Z and 13" macbok pro. So why keep shifting goalposts to add in some other laptop not in discussion? Besides that S series is really competing with the white Macbooks, not the pro.

Which is what I'm saying in the first place. Sony really doesnt have direct competitors to the 13" and 15" Macbook pros. They have chosen to not do that. In fact many in the industry seem to have chosen not to take them head on.

 

The Z is a direct competitor to MBP (well equipped) and shreds it. Z's are available for 1699 which is about price of well equipped MBP 13" (once you make it not suck so much ;-))

The EA would compete with MB as would S perhaps.

The F is the closest competitor to MBP and kills it spec/performace but perhaps MBP 15" wins from a design standpoint.

 

I thought MBP is a direct competitor to Z: the 1366x768 C2D VGN-Z...

After 1.5 years, the only thing the 2010 $1199.99 MBP has that is better than my Z540EBB's ($1400 with free productivity pack, MSRP of $370) is the graphics card and maybe the backlight keyboard...

 

If you read the first post of this thread you'll see that the OP is looking for a SR alternative and says the Z is way too pricey, the CW too clunky. So really the S series is the only answer.

Discussion about Sony Z and Macbook Pro, while an interesting topic, is not what he was asking for.

 

As in the 13" Macbook and no "pro"? why would sony need to challenge a netbook?

 

Z for me, I will have a new 117 in one weeks time

 

Congrats! You're going to love it...though it will ruin your experience with just about every other computer you touch.

 

The 13" Macbook (non-pro) is a clunky POS. EA competes well, as does the S. Not sure what more you need?

 

I feel that the S series with dedicated graphics is a good alternative to the MBP. However, you can't buy the S series with dedicated graphics yet in the US. There has been some speculation as to whether this may be sold in the US at a later point.
The dedicated card gets about 4-5 battery life and you also do have an option to buy the extended.