Comments on: MacBook Air, Sony VAIO TZ150 feature comparison

By: Hank Schmidt

Hank Schmidt — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:26:38 +0000

The Vaio is better according to me. It has far more drives, takes up less space and has better looks( I think).
It does not have to be underpowered if you upgrade wisely. Moreover it has 120Gb of Hard drive compared to the air’s 80Gb.
It also boasts a longer battery life as well as the option of removable battery.
Clearly the Vaio is better

By: Hank Schmidt

Hank Schmidt — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:22:04 +0000

I really liked sony vaio tz better. The vaio does not have to be underpowerd. you still have the option of increasing its ram. Plus it comes with an 120GB hard drive. 40Gb more space. Longer battery life as well as the removable battery. UPGRADE WISELY

By: Sober

Sober — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:23:41 +0000

One more review
http://www.maconair.com/macbook_vs_sony_vaio

By: Jules

Jules — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 09:13:30 +0000

I actually think Apple got things kinda wrong with this laptop. I’m a Vaio TX owner (the gen before TZ), I use this computer for around 8 hours per day, have gone through 3 batteries (it is charged at least twice per day), so a non removable battery is not an option. This big one however is the physical dimensions of the new Macbook. Super thin, but wider than it needed to be. If you want a super portable, then make it super portable!! The mac book has basically a standard laptop’s dimensions.
Then if you add the fact that if you have anything that requires wired connection you are going to be messing around with USB adapters and hubs.
Finally is the design. I’m sorry but I like Sony’s design more than Apples. And mine is just an old TX - the TZ I think is better still.

By: potential SZ680 buyer

potential SZ680 buyer — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:14:37 +0000

It was mentioned about the battery issue. re-read ‘ouch’

By: mnut

mnut — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:45:11 +0000

thanks for this comparison. i think the lack of optical drive is no big deal unless you are into watching DVD’s on an airplane. I guess this bodes well for itunes movie rentals, eh?
btw, here a good place for product links on the MBA, http://personafile.com/macbook-air.html

By: Rony

Rony — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:33:43 +0000

Are you sure about those dimensions? This site says differently:

http://comparati.com/18689-Sony-VAIO-SZ-vs-MacBook-Air

I’m adding some of your info to that site now, though. It’s pretty bare-bones.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:03:58 +0000

Thanks for the article Doug. A really nice thoughtful and neutral comparison. Great reading!

By: Amit

Amit — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:37:07 +0000

Once if I see the MacBook Air, I can tell….as they say …’Seeing is believing’…..either way…mba looks crazy radical!!!

bookmarked @ http://livbit.com

By: Doug Aamoth

Doug Aamoth — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:45:23 +0000

No direct assault taken, ProfessionalGun. As it were, I’d not like to be the one to learn firsthand what that name means. Time for a handshake.

By: Doug Aamoth

Doug Aamoth — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:37:19 +0000

I’ll leave it up to you guys to decide that section but after a little digging, it turns out that the Remote Drive thing is definitely a little less than meets the eye. New post about it here: http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/15/more-info-on-apples-remote-disc-feature/

By: ProfessionalGun

ProfessionalGun — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:18:20 +0000

Don’t apologize for the post, Doug. I commented because I read and enjoy CrunchGear - and I think quality sites deserves a responsive readership. I don’t waste my time on junk. :) Apologies if you took my comment as a direct assult.

By: Blaine

Blaine — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:14:12 +0000

Need to correct he Extras and intangibles, there is no doubt that this goes to Sony VAIO once you learn that that “Remote Drive” is bogus, all that is is wireless network access to a DVD/CD that will transfer data to the MacBook Air. You can do that on the VAIO and any other laptop.

By: Doug Aamoth

Doug Aamoth — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:05:11 +0000

Please calm down. I'm sorry I got you all riled up.

I updated the battery thing shortly after posting, it just took a while to update thanks to our site caching. I am sorry. Also, I mentioned screen resolution. Here is some more information on the subject.

The MacBook Air has a total resolution of 1,024,000 total pixels. The VAIO has a total resolution of 1,049,088 total pixels. That's not a huge difference where resolution is concerned but the VAIO technically has more total pixels than the MacBook Air.

If it makes you feel any better, I currently own a VAIO, which I bought to replace my old MacBook. I'm not trying to push either product on anybody, though. I'm just comparing the two. Sorry for the post.

By: ProfessionalGun

ProfessionalGun — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:38:22 +0000

How can you do a comparison like this without mentioning the MacBook Air’s lack of replaceable battery? And screen resolution is some sort of toss-aside? For that kind of money, a replaceable battery needs to be there. Extra batteries for road trips. . . simple replacements when the things start loosing charge time. . . these are both extremely important even at the starting price point of $1799.

When it comes down to “value for the money” - all of the shortcomings have to be considered.

By: A Martin

A Martin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:23:05 +0000

Bigness: (according to Apple) MacAir is 12.8 x 8.94ins Sony Vaio TZ is 10.9 x 7.8ins
Newness: MacAir is new Sony Vaio TZ is oldish