Sony Vaio Z...

[Dan]

MBA is $100 cheaper.
Removable battery and intergrated optical drive are worth that difference or is it the general Sony v Apple debate?

The Removable battery is enough of a reason for me.  On a TATL/TPAC I like being able to swap out the battery + I won't have to pay $$$$ to replace an internal battery a couple years down the road.
Optical CD/DVD Burner so you can watch Living Torah and Rebbe Videos.
+Integrated Graphics
+HDMI (I actually use this a lot, definitely would think twice before buying a laptop without one)
+Noise canceling headphones
+Extra USB port
+I'm a PC

All in a package that weighs the same as the MBA.

[aussiebochur]

The Removable battery is enough of a reason for me.  On a TATL/TPAC I like being able to swap out the battery + I won't have to pay $$$$ to replace an internal battery a couple years down the road.
Optical CD/DVD Burner so you can watch Living Torah and Rebbe Videos.
+Integrated Graphics
+HDMI (I actually use this a lot, definitely would think twice before buying a laptop without one)
+Noise canceling headphones
+Extra USB port
+I'm a PC

All in a package that weighs the same as the MBA.

True.
But,
-Fly first class with power outlets.
-You never heard of Rebbeflix?.
-I've grown out of World of Warcraft
-All are nothing in front of Bose QC15's...
-If you can run Windows on a Mac, is there really such a difference?

Well, almost the same weight.

I joke.

[AsherO]

Aussie, I'm with Dan in leaning toward the Z (the ebay one he linked to isn't bad). But for your needs/preferences, I think the Air might cut the mustard.

[Dan]

The new MBA is vastly improved from the older ones, but it still falls short of the Z12/Z13 IMHO.

[AsherO]

The new MBA is vastly improved from the older ones, but it still falls short of the Z12/Z13 IMHO.

I agree with you. But AussieB and I spent some time figuring our what he values in a laptop, and specifically for him I'd say the MBP looks like it's appealing FWIU.

(If AB wants to share more it's up to him, I think the rest should remain between us)

[arie]

With the student discount and buying Apple gift card at % off, the gap in price becomes pretty big...

after tax i dont think the student discount would be worth it compared to buying from an online retailer sans tax

[Avid Reader]

Just heard several advertisements on the radio today for the Sony Vaio, all the first time. Seems like they're feeling a need for pushing their product suddenly. Perhaps competition with Mac is getting tight?

[AsherO]

My Sony Z12's hinges started to fall apart after 12 months, now they're telling me it's physical damage and want me to pay $500+ (!!!) to repair the (faulty) hinges.

Note that this is a $2,000 laptop. You'd think they had in-home tech-support and US-based phone support. Now my laptop has been shipped off to g-d knows where and all I can speak to is some Asian call-center.

Any suggestions? Time for an EECB?

[ceejay]

Amex?

[AsherO]

Amex?

It's not a year old, so I'd have to wait for that. Either way, I don't want to 'waste' that now, while it's still under warranted.

A DDF member suggested that I try tweeting them, hopefully @SonyListens will live up to their name

[aussiebochur]

It's not a year old, so I'd have to wait for that. Either way, I don't want to 'waste' that now, while it's still under warranted.

A DDF member suggested that I try tweeting them, hopefully @SonyListens will live up to their name

Tweeting seems the way to go.
I've had help from multiple companies after Tweeting when I couldn't get through to anyone else.

[AsherO]

Tweeting seems the way to go.
I've had help from multiple companies after Tweeting when I couldn't get through to anyone else.

I've noticed that before, same with Amex's 'social-media inquiries' department, for example.