I have a Sony VAIO I bought about a year & half ago & already have upgraded the hard drive (500 gig 7200 rpm) & OS to windows 7. I personally prefer windows because I find there are always more software options. I hate the way apple trys to box you into using their software, especially itunes. If the the Sony laptop you get has top of the line hardware especially cpu then I would go with the Sony. I'm not sure if Macs have too many choices.