I am hesitating btw 13.3'' MacBook (2.16GHz Core 2 Duo 1GB) and Sony VGN-FZ 190 15.4" (Core 2 Duo T7300)

Question

I am hesitating btw 13.3'' MacBook (2.16GHz Core 2 Duo 1GB/120GB/SuperDrive) and Sony VGN-FZ 190 (T7300, 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo, 15.4" WXGA-HC).
I will work a lot with photos (editing with Photoshop and reviewing).
Specific questions (Sony vs MacBook):
1. Quality of monitor, 15.4" 1280X800 WXGA (HC) vs 13.3'' active-matrix 1280 x 800 TFT/XGA

2. NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT vs Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM

3. T7300 (2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo) of Sony vs 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook

4. Vista (or XP) vs MacOS v10.4 Tiger

On the other hand, 15.4" vs 13.3'' (of course, on the price of:
• 5.75 lb vs 5.1 lb, and
• 14"x0.98 1.4"x10.02" vs 12.78"X1.08"X8.92"
• They might also have other significant differences that I just don’t understand enough to point out. Please help if I missed something important.

Please suggest.

Answer 1

I'm more of a Windows person, so I like the Sony, whichever one has the Nvidia (the Sony?) graphics card is far superior to the Intel gma950. The processors are close enough where it shouldn't make much of a difference. You don't list the system ram, for Vista you need a minimum 1gb, and 2gb would be better. I also think the larger screen will be better in the long run and the weight differences aren't much. Much of it should depend on the OS you like more, but the graphics card really tips it in favor of the one with the Nvidia 8400 in my mind.

Answer 2

1. WXGA is a widescreen format, so i would chose that.
2. The Nvidia one is definitly better since it can also run Directx 10 it will be a lot better
3. The 2.16 core 2 duo will probaly be slightly faster than the 2ghz sony one
4. Vista because it has a LOT more programs you can use with it.

So I would go with the sony one mainly because of the graphics, the larger screen, and you can use it for more than just graphic editing.

Answer 3

I'm leaning more towards the Sony; larger/nicer screen and the graphics are nice.

From what I'm seeing it comes down to a few more questions:

1.) what's the battery life on the notebooks? (very important if you'll be using it while out and about)

2.) Are you more comfortable with a Mac or a PC?

3.) What exspensive software might you have to re-purchase for a new Mac or PC? (Depends on the platform you're coming from)

4.) What about printers, scanner and other devices you might use; are they compatible with a PC or a Mac?

I hope this helps! I'm hoping I didn't forget anything, please speak up if someone thinks of anything I've missed!

Answer 4

I personally hate both companies. sony is an antipiracy company and mac doesn't give people options(itunes + ipod).

photoshop runs great on the core duo 2. so either one is fine. the processor is doing all the work. so both are about the same.

Answer 5

Vista has a LOT of kinks to work out still. Mac has had their stuff together for a long time, I'd go with mac. (sorry for the short answer, but in every aspect, mac wins in my book.