Why is the MBP so heavy?

[Mitlov]

Since neither the MBA nor the MBP have a dedicated GPU, both are pretty weak for gaming.

If you get a Sandy Bridge CPU, here's the framerates you can expect (with either): Intel HD Graphics 3000 - Notebookcheck.net Tech

If you get an Ivy Bridge CPU, here's the framerates you can expect (with either): Intel HD Graphics 4000 Benchmarked - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Is your gaming done at home? If so, the iMac will be perfectly sufficient. If you want to game on the go, and you need your laptop to be an Apple, I'd almost think about picking up a Playstation Vita instead of relying on any 13" Apple laptop. If you're willing to be flexible with your laptop OS, the Clevo W110ER seems like a winner: Eurocom Monster 1.0 (Clevo W110ERF) Review: Biggest Isn't Always Better (sold in the US through xoticpc.com as the Sager NP6110).

[masterchef341]

or you could jump up to 15", but that's even bigger (and heavier) - but they offer decent graphics cards in their 15"+ laptops.

[Generic User #2]

wow.

the sony vaio Z was SPECIFICALLY made for people like you malgrave. a no-compromise option.

the only reasonable advice is for you to find out if you REALLY need to use OS X. if its just for fun, do you need to be able to have fun on a MBP AND do work at the same time?

tl;dr

best solution: don't get OS X and keep your Z
2nd best solution: keep your Z for work and get a cheap MBA for 'fun' (assuming you can afford to keep two laptops)
3rd best solution: wait for the new MBP 13" (it should be noticably better)
4th best solution: get the current MBA 13" or wait for the Ivy version (that hasn't arrived yet has it?)
5th best solution: get the current MBP 13", get an SSD, and replace the optical drive with a HDD (assuming you don't need the optical)

[Mitlov]

The Z's external GPU doesn't work well for gaming. Framerates tend to come in dips and surges. The best compact Sony for gaming is the S13, which packs a 640M and an optical drive despite weighing only 3.5 lbs. It's also a bit over half the price of the Z since it uses aluminum and more common materials instead of carbon fiber, and it's one inch thick instead of 2/3s of an inch.

[Malgrave]

Thanks guys. You both are absolutely correct of course.

I didn't really want to make this thread "all about me". But since you ask...

I do want to move to MacOS. The reasons that tied me to Windows have all but evaporated (gaming aside.) There are a few critical MacOS apps that I would love to have access to. And I really don't like the direction MS is going with Windows 8. (This is of course personal opinion. A lot of people love Windows 8.)

Also, my next computer will not be a Vaio Z, even if I do wind up sticking with Windows. The Z's keyboard has incredibly shallow travel that I have never been able to get used to, and I really want discrete graphics built in. The MBP is actually perfect for me, bar the weight. And the mac's 16:10 screen ratio is a big bonus.

[dmk2]

I haven't tried the new Z, but the older VAIO Z keyboard feels a lot like the MBP keyboard. I don't think the key travel is much different. ThinkPads and EliteBooks are better in this regard.

[Karamazovmm]

the new z is quite worse in the kb travel, too shallow for me

[Mitlov]

Thanks guys. You both are absolutely correct of course.

I didn't really want to make this thread "all about me". But since you ask...

I do want to move to MacOS. The reasons that tied me to Windows have all but evaporated (gaming aside.) There are a few critical MacOS apps that I would love to have access to. And I really don't like the direction MS is going with Windows 8. (This is of course personal opinion. A lot of people love Windows 8.)

Also, my next computer will not be a Vaio Z, even if I do wind up sticking with Windows. The Z's keyboard has incredibly shallow travel that I have never been able to get used to, and I really want discrete graphics built in. The MBP is actually perfect for me, bar the weight. And the mac's 16:10 screen ratio is a big bonus.

So are you looking at the MBP 15 now? Because there's no discrete graphics in the MBP 13 (or MBA 13).

Although the price point is higher, I think the MBP 15 is much better value than the MBP 13. The MBP 13 just doesn't have the performance that justifies the "Pro" name in my mind...dual-core CPU, no GPU. The MBP 15 is 50% more expensive than the MBP 13, but in my opinion it's far more than 50% better. Not all that much heavier, much more screen real estate, more pixels, quad-core CPU, discrete GPU.