MacBook vs Sony Vaio

Who will win? MacBook Air vs. Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B, Macbook Pro vs. Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B, Macbook vs. Sony VAIO SZ280.

In today’s review we will try to compare almost identical in terms of their specifications notebooks from Sony and Apple brands.

MacBook Air vs. Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B

We’d like to start with much-talked-of MacBook Air and his opponent, Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B. Most people even do not put them in a row, since no one can come up with an ultra-thin Air. This is a market’s novation. Again, it is Apple, which reaches new heights. To begin with, I think, we should address their core specifications:

As one could see from the table, the Sony notebook is much more inferior to the similar device from Apple. In respect to advantages, the MacBook Air has come much more ahead in this category. Almost for all parameters, from processor’s frequency to graphic chipset it holds the leadership. It lost, though, in terms of hard drive capacity, but I think in order to work and play games it is completely enough those 80 Gb which are already supplied with this notebook. In the first test the ultimate leadership received the MacBook Air.

The second test checked which notebook is more compact and comfortable in use, but the most important thing was, how long can it work...

Obviously, Sony does win in terms of width since it has a smaller display but from other hand, it cannot compare with Air in terms of thickness. Although Air has lost the competition in weight but in other test categories it is an ultimate leader. As already mentioned, the most important parameter was the time of autonomous work of the device. Without connecting the additional battery (what is impossible with Air, by the way) both notebooks can work: Air approximately 5 hours, Sony – approximately 4 hours. That is why the Apple’s notebook won the second test.

The third test done by notebooks, touched upon various features.

To make MacBook Air so thin and elegant, engineers should sacrifice something. Nobody could even imagine that one would have to throw away from notebook so many things: optical drive, Ethernet, PC Card, Express Card, modem, FireWire, eSATA, VGA, there is no even the Kingston lock (as well as no built-in 3G technology). What is left is earphone jack, USB 2.0 and micro-DVI. Good thing is that even the webcam is built-it, since without it the notebook's body would be "naked". In this test won Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B only because it has two built-in stereo dynamics; everything else in respect to its features is almost the same.

The fourth test was dedicated to interfaces.

After conducting this test, it is hard to give preference. One could connect to Internet from both notebooks, but in case of MacBook Air it is necessary to purchase an additional device to make it possible at home, instead of only in special places, supporting Wi-Fi technology. By purchasing even another additional adapter, the Air would give way to all video ports. We'd prefer MacBook Air in this category. It has everything for wireless Internet. However, if you would like to watch video on the TV screen or to connect to Internet via your phone, then you certainly have to purchase additional cables and devices what is acceptable for few of us. That is why we should give the first place to Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B, since it has everything to connect with the outer world, moreover, without additional costs.

The last test concerns the individual features of notebooks that exist in one and lack in another, as well as their prices.

As you can see from the last test, MacBook Air had disappointed its fans a little, but nevertheless, I guess, one shouldn’t despair, since once you pursue the thickness, then you have to sacrifice something. It is a pity that MacBook Air does not have an additional battery. Without it you can’t work through the whole day, that is why you always need to have a cable with you. And when you fly somewhere during more than 5 hours, then it’s even impossible to spend time at your ultra-modern MacBook Air notebook In this respect Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B notebook is a leader, in respect to its functionality as well as to its price.

Conclusion: According to the results of the tests, one should give away the notebook from Apple a palm, but it is hard to call it a clean sweep. It costs a lot, but if you are a fan, then the price should not be an obstacle for you. In order to double its functionality an additional devices and adapters are to be purchased. Thus, if you do not pursue name of the brand and if it does not matter whether a VAIO or “Apple” signs will be on the cover, then you should better tend to Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N/B. However, if you need an ultra-thin, stylish, pretty and ultimate notebook, which would pick you out of the crowd, then you should better purchase the MacBook Air notebook.

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Macbook Pro vs. Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B

Macbook Pro was released in 2006. Already then, it deserved popularity. Although its price was relatively high, its fans were ready to give everything away in order to get the new notebook on their desktop. Today Apple Company was successful in updating the Pro series. Almost all elements of Macbook have evolved. Now it has a dual core processor, an updated graphic chip. In general, the impression of Macbook Pro is pleasant. But in order to understand it from inside, we decided to compare it with Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B. I would not say these devices are alike, but there were things to compare.

The first test traditionally is dedicated to specifications:

It is clear from the figure that Sony notebook not only wins in all parameters but does this with a substantive advantage. For instance, an L2 cache of 6 MB instead of only 2 MB. Hard drive from 240 Gb to 650 Gb. Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B obligatory has two RAM modules and two hard drives. Engineers have provided users with such capacity not to no purpose. With the help of new Blu-Ray Disc Support user can burn and watch discs with high definition video. By the end of the first test, the ultimate leadership belongs to Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B.

The second test touches the compactness and notebook’s autonomous work possibilities.

Design of Macbook Pro is like a solid case, comfortable to bear in hands as well as in brief case. The width of the notebook is the same from all sides. The 17" display even doesn't look so enormously due to small frame around it. It is very attractive that you can work up to 5 hours without charging the notebook. In case with Sony notebook, the autonomous work is cut up to 2 hours. With a large capacity battery you can work up to 4 hours. Nevertheless, even this does not allow Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B to surpass its opponent from Apple in this test.

The third test done by notebooks touched upon various features.

There are no differences in notebooks in this category. Every model has built-in web camera, microphone as well as various sockets for headphones and speakers. That is why there is no winner nor looser in this test. We'd give a plus to each notebook.

The fourth test is dedicated to interfaces.

Models differ a lot, nevertheless something was detected. Macbook Pro does not have a modem, and from a first glance there’s no need in it. However, since this model is for business people, who have to travel a lot, it would be useful nevertheless. Problem with the absence of normal Internet access in hotels most of times can be solved via modem, and it is absent in Pro. Macbook Pro is not equipped with iLink either, but I think that that there is no need in it, as well. Nevertheless, if you need to use FireWire 800 then there is a third-party solutions in a form of ExpressCard/34, for instance, NitroAV. There is no in Pro an S-video and HDMI outputs as well, which shouldn’t be there, actually. In Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B, from other hand, they must be. Since the main aim of developers was to make a possibility to watch an HD video on monitor, that is why one couldn’t manage it without the mentioned outputs. S-video is used for playing blu-ray disks without losing in quality since the color signals are transmitted via several channels. In Macbook Pro one can connect an additional monitor through the DVI-output. Although the image won’t be as clear, for office applications it is completely enough.
As for the Internet, both devices are good for. There’s no any complaints in this respect. In conclusion, of this test it’s good to mention that no device had ultimately won the race. Both notebooks get a plus.

The last test concerns the individual features of notebooks which exist in one and lack in another, as well as their prices.

As you can see, Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B turned out to be the ultimate leader in the last test. Even though it is quite pricey, which is due Blu-Ray Disc Support and a possibility to view and burn Blu-Ray disks. In everything else, it is very similar to Macbook Pro.

Conclusion: Looking at the price of Sony notebook one understands that Blu-Ray isn’t so popular in order to overload the notebook with such an optical drive. Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B as well as Macbook Pro have a very solid image. Both devices have a sufficient function set. Thus, if your work is multimedia, then best of all is to get Sony VAIO VGN-AR790U/B, but if you are an ordinary businessman, then it’s enough to have a Macbook Pro.

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Macbook vs. Sony VAIO SZ280

Finally, we've got almost identical notebooks – an ordinary Macbook and Sony VAIO SZ280. With the help of tests, you try to find that pearl which would identify the winner.

The first test of the third review, as always, concerns the technical specifications.

From the first lines one would think whether these notebooks are the same or not. Looking more precisely you see that Sony has overcome the opponent in memory capacity as well as with graphic chipset. Although it is hard to say that both notebooks are designed to host the games. And while you won’t be able to play ultra-modern games, those with average requirements will go completely well on your notebook.

Since processors are the same, as well as the hard-drive, we were forced to compare other parameters where Sony VAIO SZ280 had won.

The second test concerns the compactness and design of notebooks.

Although the dimensions are the same, but due to the frame Sony looks a bit bigger than its opponent. From other hand, though, it weighs less. However, both are comfortable to bear. They could fit even within woman’s handbag. In this test, I guess, the Apple device should have the preference.

The third test concerned miscellaneous features in the notebooks.

As you see, notebooks are the same even here. Both are equipped with built-in web cameras and microphones. Have all the needed jacks. That is why there is nothing to choose here, since they both are good.

The fourth test is dedicated to interfaces.

There are too many video ports in Sony product, notwithstanding the fact that it has only an ordinary DVD+-/DL/RW drive. As the result of this test the Macbook is the winner. While designing the model, the engineers tried to look ahead, but don’t stuff it with every mess possible. That is why we see the throwing away such ports as S-vide, HDMI as well as modem they protected users against unneeded ports.

And the last test concerns the individual features of notebooks which exist in one and lack in another, as well as their prices.

Everything was very simple with the last test. As soon as you see the price of Sony notebook, you immediately dislike purchasing it. To pay for similar to Macbook in $850 less would be several times wiser than to give away more than $2500 for Sony VAIO SZ280 notebook. Sony has failed the last test.

If you do not bother for money or in case you’re a big fan of Sony, then you can purchase this notebook, but you’d spare your hard-earned money. If you want to get functional notebook for relatively reasonable price, then you can confidently buy notebook from Apple. It won ultimately in the last test.