<p>Sony Vaio VGN-FE690:
[ul]
15.4 inch screen
80 GB Hard Drive
Intel Core Duo Processor 2 GHz
1 GB DDR-SDRAM
Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g and Bluetooth
Windows XP Professional
3 Year Warranty
[/ul]
*$1808.97 + $100 for Antivirus stuff *</p>
<p>Apple Macbook Pro
[ul]
15 inch screen
80 GB Serial ATA drive
Intel Core Duo Processor 2 GHz
1 GB 667 DDR2
Wireless Internet (Airport)
Mac OSX
3 Year Apple Care
[/ul] $2,128 $100 for software (word, excel, powerpoint, etc)+ Free Ipod Nano + Free Printer</p>
<p>So what do I do? I guess this comes down to a question of preference, Mac vs. PC...note this is for college. Anyone with any experience with Macs compared to PCs? Durability of Macs? Do they slow down ever? Is it worth it to spend the extra money considering I won't get virsuses or w/e?</p>
<p>I wouldnt buy a Vaio unless it was an SZ version...plus Sony's customer service sucks...so this is a rare instance that I say go to the dark side</p>
<p>Go with the MacBook Pro, that's what I have. To answer some of your questions, Macs are very durable. I've heard of people who still have those multicolored iMacs of yesteryear and they still run (albeit slowly in comparison to new computers). They don't slow down like Windows PC's either. Basic maintenance on a Mac consists verifying and repairing definitions through Disk Utility and that's pretty much it.</p>
<p>Now your final question, is it worth it? For me it is, I never have to deal with updating virus definitions or scanning my computer for spyware/adware/etc. Not only that, like every Mac user will tell you, with a Mac everything just works!</p>
<p>Depends on what you'll be doing with your computer. This may seem like a no-brainer, but don't by the Mac just to run Windows on it. In other words, if you're familiar with PCs and Windows (I know my way around my PC like the back of my hand - there's no way I'd sacrifice knowing what to do when something goes wrong, especially since I plan on churning out all my papers at 4 AM!), and plan to continue using the same software you've used in HS (Word, Power Point, Excel, Explorer), there is absolutely no reason to switch to a Mac. If you are an avid PC Gamer, then you should most definitely /not/ switch to The Other OS. </p>
<p>That said, Macs are good for quite a few things. If you're interested in graphic design or making videos, go with a Mac for sure. In fact, if your major is in a field related to film or graphic design, a Mac is probably required! </p>
<p>Secondly, the cost is going to be about the same either way it looks like. The Mac is about 200 dollars more, but it comes with a free printer and an iPod, both at roughly $100 dollar value (don't buy a cheap printer! LOL).</p>
<p>I suggest walking into Comp USA & an Apple Store and getting the lowdown from employees on both ends. In any case, I think it's down to what you're familiar with, which is probably going to be the PC in your case, unless you're adventurous!</p>
<p>IMHO, Mac & Sony are ridiculously overpriced, like the Abercrombie of the computer world. I own a SanDisk MP3 player myself, and love my MUCH cheaper HP laptop. Money doesn't seem to be a problem for you, but I'm of the opinion to spend less on a laptop and more on jeans ;).</p>
<p>Contrary to what people might tell you, Mac OS X is extremely easy to learn. Basically you've just got to get used to the menu bar being at the top and learn to use Finder as opposed to the Start menu.</p>
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<p>Seeing as you can use all of those programs on a Mac (except Internet Explorer, which most Windows users I know don't even use anymore) I don't see your argument. Not to mention the fact that the Mac version of Office only costs about $9 more than the Windows version.</p>
<p>I personally prefer the sony FJ series (the one that comes in colors) but that said, I will be switching to mac. Mac OSX is way more flexible and expandable (tons of free add on software that lets you enhance the OS to do what you want it to, faster) and is currently mostly virus free, for whatever reason. A lot of people have been going mac since the intel switch and there's no time like the present to give it a shot.</p>
<p>Saluki - I think you missed the point. I was merely saying there is no reason to learn a new operating system if you're just going to be using Word or similar programs that work just as well on a PC as they do on a Mac.</p>
<p>I even know people who use /Windows/ on their Mac. Which is just dumb. So dumb.</p>
<p>I bought a Macbook Pro to try something new...that and the fact that I have had quite a few problems with Windows in the past. Why not try something new for college?</p>
<p>That Sony Vaio is a ripoff, in my opinion. I would advise going with a much cheaper laptop, or a macbook. Why do you need to buy such an expensive computer?</p>
<p>I wouldn't go with either... Sony's computers are overpriced like people said...</p>
<p>And if you are not familiar with mac, i wouldn't buy it either unless you have another reason for wanting a mac... I mean like someone said, there's just too many things I know about windows that I don't wanna learn all over again.</p>
<p>why not learn something new every once in a while? Just because you eventually master the Mac, it doesn't mean that you'll forget about Windows. You'd eventually master both programs. why not?</p>
<p>Wait. Are you getting that Sony with the optional 7600 go video card or not? If you are then its definitely the better deal. However, if your not i see no reason to get a high end vaio. You should look at cheaper, lighter model vaios that can be upgraded to the same specs. Theres no point in getting a 15.4 inch notebook without a graphics card.</p>
<p>HEY, GO get a MAC. As much as I luv the Sony Vaio I just bought 1.5 months ago (and I really do)... go with MAC. 4 Days ago when I was using my new laptop @ UCLA, I think either an adware or a virus got throught my laptop's secutirty program. Now it's extremly lagging and most applications are nonresponsive/crash as well as taking an unblievable amount of time to load (after turning on). THere's no problem in safe mode. I ran two different virus scans and two different anti-adware programs. Still can't find the source. So my point is if you're gonna drop $2K on a laptop, make sure you get good security. Or you can spend $1000-$1500 on a MAC and not worry about viruses, etc...</p>