Just the macbook with 2.2 processor and superdrive. The Vaio I think is the TZ, but there is so many different variations. The Vaio is a LOT more expensive though.
I tried firmware upgrades with success using XP under Parallels Desktop (of course using PC Suite). Dunno about product code change, but it should work too.
Short answer is you can't natively, but with with the help of virtualization, no ploblemo! ;)
i just recently bought a xps m1330 (T7500, 2GB, 250GB, nvidia 8400). pros: much cheaper, lighter, sexier and faster (nvidia 8400 GPU) than the normal MB. vista runs fast and (practically) flawlessly on it. together with the integrated HDMI port, i can easily drive two big extenal TFTs from that thing :-) there are installation guides for dual-boot installations with OS-X/Leopard too (not tried yet). IF i was buying a mac, i would rather take a macbook pro, mainly for the faster GPU (8600, 256MB). what put me off from the MB was mainly the high price, heavy weight, smallish disks and the strange keyboard layout they have. besides that, i'm sure they are cool as well...
yep, after two days of constant UAC pop-ups i learned that too :g:
tip: get yourself a logitech VX nano cordless mouse ASAP - it's probably the best purchase i've ever done for my computer. it's a laser mouse with a metal scroll-wheel that can be adjusted for free-spin, or rastered scrolling. simply an amazing match for the xps! and it's small enough to take with you in your laptop bag..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Wireless-Laser-Laptop-Mouse/dp/B000U75V02
yep, that was also my fist thought.. but watch out. 1st, bluetooth mice have a much higher power consumtion (battery in the VX nano lasta about half a year), and the ones i saw had a much worse design and functionality. to compensate for the used USB port, i also bought this nifty USB hub from logitech: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Premium-4-Port-USB-Notebooks/dp/B000U1MQH4
as for an external monitor (if you need one), i've purchased the HP2408 24" TFT. the endlessly genious thing with this monitor is that you can slide the XPS just perfectly into the stand below the screen, as it was designed exactly for that! it's just brilliant. have a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kensho1/2285407043/ (the black stand is actually the XPS, not the stand! ;-)
Wow, that is very nice.... I would never get that purchase past the missus though. I've had to be on my best behaviour for the last 6 months, just to get permission for the new laptop!
yes, i guess so. if you got the model with the nvidia 8400 GPU, it's a 6 cell. they dont sell that with a 4 cell anymore because of the higher power need of the faster GPU.
Cheers @monadi it was a close run thing, but the value for money won it for the XPS. Just downloading COD4 to give the graphics card a test.....might/might not work
41 comments so far
I had an iBook a few years ago and loved it, so I'm swaying towards the Mac.
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
macbook air or the regular version?
1 year, 10 months ago by davidnilsson
Just the macbook with 2.2 processor and superdrive. The Vaio I think is the TZ, but there is so many different variations. The Vaio is a LOT more expensive though.
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
Go for the Mac then! Nothing beats OS X :)
1 year, 10 months ago by davidnilsson
A black MacBook... so nice!
1 year, 10 months ago by thecreativelife
Mmm, yes very nice. Not sure I can justify the extra £120 over the white one though for 40gig and a better colour........
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
If you're swayed then you're beyond my influence.
1 year, 10 months ago by Monadi
I am swayed, but have not made a decision. I may in fact still not come home with anything, if I don't/can't get what I need.
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
I'd say get home, crunch the numbers and features, and leave for the shops knowing exactly what you're buying.
1 year, 10 months ago by Monadi
If Macs had decent Nokia support (or vice-versa) I'd get one asap.
1 year, 10 months ago by whatleydude
Get a MacBook with Boot Camp/Parallels/VM Ware you can have all the advantages of OS X with all the disadvantages of Windows Vista on a single laptop.
Also with the Parallels type approach you can have OS X, Ubuntu, Windows Vista, Windows XP, even Windows 3.1 running on the same laptop.
You could do something similar with the VAIO, but no OS X.
@ whatleydude
What sort of issues or features or support do you need?
1 year, 10 months ago by iFelix
I vote black MacBook
1 year, 10 months ago by live4celltech
@whatleydude: I had a N95 before and it played well with Mac. What do you miss?
1 year, 10 months ago by davidnilsson
@davidnilsson - Honestly? I'm yet to use it.. I was going on word of mouth.
I know that Nokia PC Suite isn't Mac compatible... is there a Mac equivalent?
1 year, 10 months ago by whatleydude
Yepp! There is: http://europe.nokia.com/A4423135
1 year, 10 months ago by davidnilsson
Can you sync contacts too? And calendar events?
1 year, 10 months ago by whatleydude
What about firmware upgrades?
1 year, 10 months ago by whatleydude
Oh and changing product codes - can I do that too?
(sorry - should've asked all these in one go)
1 year, 10 months ago by whatleydude
For contacts & calendar sync, there's iSync plugins available here.
btw, there's an area on Nokia's website for the Mac.
1 year, 10 months ago by sachaqs
I tried firmware upgrades with success using XP under Parallels Desktop (of course using PC Suite). Dunno about product code change, but it should work too.
Short answer is you can't natively, but with with the help of virtualization, no ploblemo! ;)
1 year, 10 months ago by sachaqs
Just found a cracking deal on an xps1330. Think it may just have pipped the mac to the post
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
I couldn't get FW upgrade to work under Parallels, but booted to Win succeed.
1 year, 10 months ago by map
i just recently bought a xps m1330 (T7500, 2GB, 250GB, nvidia 8400). pros: much cheaper, lighter, sexier and faster (nvidia 8400 GPU) than the normal MB. vista runs fast and (practically) flawlessly on it. together with the integrated HDMI port, i can easily drive two big extenal TFTs from that thing :-) there are installation guides for dual-boot installations with OS-X/Leopard too (not tried yet). IF i was buying a mac, i would rather take a macbook pro, mainly for the faster GPU (8600, 256MB). what put me off from the MB was mainly the high price, heavy weight, smallish disks and the strange keyboard layout they have. besides that, i'm sure they are cool as well...
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
Pics just going onto flickr now of the winner.......
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
haha, congrats, mate.. ;-) is it the 3GB RAM and 320GB disk model?
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
ok, now i know the REAL reason..: it matches the color of your sofa perfectly! :lol:
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
Ha, yes it does match the sofa! The missus will be happy! 250gb and 2g ram. Ive got some more ram to in though.
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
User Account Control = OFF!
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
yep, after two days of constant UAC pop-ups i learned that too :g:
tip: get yourself a logitech VX nano cordless mouse ASAP - it's probably the best purchase i've ever done for my computer. it's a laser mouse with a metal scroll-wheel that can be adjusted for free-spin, or rastered scrolling. simply an amazing match for the xps! and it's small enough to take with you in your laptop bag.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Wireless-Laser-Laptop-Mouse/dp/B000U75V02
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
Ooo, that mouse does look nice.... although, with only 2 USB ports, they are at a premium..... I was looking more towards getting a BT mouse
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
yep, that was also my fist thought.. but watch out. 1st, bluetooth mice have a much higher power consumtion (battery in the VX nano lasta about half a year), and the ones i saw had a much worse design and functionality. to compensate for the used USB port, i also bought this nifty USB hub from logitech: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Premium-4-Port-USB-Notebooks/dp/B000U1MQH4
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
as for an external monitor (if you need one), i've purchased the HP2408 24" TFT. the endlessly genious thing with this monitor is that you can slide the XPS just perfectly into the stand below the screen, as it was designed exactly for that! it's just brilliant. have a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kensho1/2285407043/ (the black stand is actually the XPS, not the stand! ;-)
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
Wow, that is very nice.... I would never get that purchase past the missus though. I've had to be on my best behaviour for the last 6 months, just to get permission for the new laptop!
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
My first purchase is going to be the 9 cell battery though, cant stand carrying the charger around with me all day......
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
I was expecting it to have the 4 cell battery installed, but runtime is estimated at 3.45hrs, it must have the 6 cell, surely?
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
yes, i guess so. if you got the model with the nvidia 8400 GPU, it's a 6 cell. they dont sell that with a 4 cell anymore because of the higher power need of the faster GPU.
1 year, 10 months ago by afr
@SteveRowlands congrats on the purchase.
1 year, 10 months ago by Monadi
Cheers @monadi it was a close run thing, but the value for money won it for the XPS. Just downloading COD4 to give the graphics card a test.....might/might not work
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
@SteveRowland it's a hot laptop and I have my eyes for it. Let us know how the graphics are with COD4.
1 year, 10 months ago by Monadi
@monadi COD4 rocks mate! Full native resolution, and it doesnt miss a beat. Gets quite hot though!
Kind of glad I didnt get a macbook in the end... this would have been just my luck....
http://www.apple.com/uk/pr/2008/02/260208_macbookpro.html
1 year, 10 months ago by SteveRowlands
http://bless-ringtones.freehostia.com/ringtones-brad-paisley.html
8 months ago by volandfarm