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iMac vs. VAIO Showdown

Posted by pudge on from the but-i-can-lick-my-imac dept.

paradesign writes "Citing both Apple and Sony's intentions to become the hub of the digital lifestyle, Popular Science has pitted an $1,800 800MHz flat-panel iMac up against a $3,400 1.7GHz Sony Vaio PCV-MXS10 to see which really comes out on top. The bottom line is that the Sony PC -- almost twice as expensive as the iMac -- just narrowly edged out the iMac, with an overall score of 42 to 40."

7 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. PCs will be unsaleable in 10 years by T.Hobbes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why would anyone buy a PC when you can get a mac, with better std equipment, for half the price?! I know all the arguments about TCO being better on pcs than macs, but still.. you're paying twice as much for a flashy OS and trendy case-design. For shame!

  2. Notes... by singularity · · Score: 5, Informative

    One of the Smalldog newsletters had some commentary on the comparison. The latest newsletter has not hit the archives yet, but it did bring up some good points:

    1) He mentions that on the iMac "but sound quality and volume are limited." Of course, the Sony includes seperate speakers. For the price difference you could easily pick up a pair of aftermarket speakers.

    2) He mentions how easy the iMac is to set up (and then complains about the set-up screens), then goes on to comment on the Sony "I think we're going to have some fun with this rig - a thought that helps get me through a 45-minute setup."

    3) The author mentions "Windows XP is much more reliable, and somewhat easier to use, than its predecessors." Well, perhaps. How is it in comparison to Mac OS X, though? I have had my new Mac for over three weeks now and have not had a single crash or kernel panic.

    4) He often comments about the poor included software on the Sony.

    All in all, it is a good review, although I wish he would mention more than a couple of times the drastic price difference and the fact that most short-comings on the iMac could be more than made up by the price difference (i.e. He comments that the included photo manipulation software on the Sony is better than iPhoto for adjusting/cropping/etc. For the price difference, though, you could almost pick up Photoshop for Mac OS X).

    Also, I know that GraphicConverter is included on new G4 machines. It is included on the new iMac?

    [Boycotting the Boycott.]

    --
    - (c) 2018 Hank Zimmerman
    1. Re:Notes... by foobar104 · · Score: 5, Informative

      I have had my new Mac for over three weeks now and have not had a single crash or kernel panic.

      Just to weigh in with my (not entirely on-topic) experience. I've been running OS X on my iMac (G3 400 MHz, 640 MB RAM) since it first went on sale. Don't remember how long ago that was, but it's been a while. The only reason I ever rebooted into OS 9 was to burn CDs and play a couple of games. When 10.1 came out, that ended. I haven't booted OS 9 in forever. I also haven't suffered a single OS crash in forever.

      I did make it kernel panic once. I think I was running 10.0.3 or 10.0.4; can't recall. I unplugged my FireWire CDRW while I had a CDROM in it. The Mac panicked. But that problem was apparently fixed months and months ago.

      Pretty dang stable.

  3. incorrect assumption about privacy by azosx · · Score: 5, Informative
    A Zen-like simplicity to be sure, until I get to the initial software setup routine, and then Big Brother shows up. Turns out that if I don't enter all my personal information into Apple's online registration forms, I'm not going anywhere. Yes, there's a privacy statement, but I don't think I should have to pony up personal info to use a product I've paid for.


    Fortunately this is not entirely true. True, when turning on your new Apple Computer for the first time you will be presented with a registration screen, but luckly by pressing Command + q, you can simply skip the registration process and finish the initial setup without entering any personal information.

    1. Re:incorrect assumption about privacy by daeley · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ah, yes -- the intuitive Apple interface. Command + q is so obvious! Now, where is the "Command" key -- I see "Control" and "Option", but I don't see any "Command"... Ahhh, so intuitive I could just shit.

      When you go to do that, be sure to look for a handle on the toilet. The handle is most likely a metallic or plastic piece about 3-4 inches in length that juts out from the rest of the toilet. It makes a rattling sound when you jiggle it. Once you've located the handle, use the handle.

      You'll hear a 'flushing water' sound -- don't be alarmed, this is normal.

      Once the water sound has stopped, you should probably pull up your pants and, if you have a wife or girlfriend, make sure to put the toilet seat down.

      --
      I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
  4. With the mac, I can afford accessories! by mobydobius · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Of course, what the article fails to consider is that I can order an iPod, an additional 256MB RAM, and a top of the line Palm for my new iMac, and still stay $400 under the Sony. For someone actually looking to use one of these machines alongside digital toys, that makes a difference.

    --

    "I like to wear big boy pants."
  5. doesn't affect me by tps12 · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is of no use to me, as I never consider buying a computer unless it is at least 45 points.

    --

    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)