We constantly get calls and chats with the question, "Well, which is better...Vita-Mix or Blendtec?" I always tell customers that the main difference is that Vita-Mix units are more of a manual control while Blendtec's are digital. With the Vita-Mix machines using a variable speed dial, you will need to either stay next to the machine to turn it off when it is done blending, or you could just set a timer on your microwave to remind you to turn it off. Blendtec's have pre-programmed cycles ranging from ice cream to soups. These cycles will turn off after they have completed. If you are wanting to alter how long the cycles run, you would not be able to. You would have to either run the cycle again or you could just use the pulse button a few times. Both companies units can make peanut butter, ice cream, smoothies, soups and etc. They also both send a recipe book that accompanies their machine, that will give you detailed instructions on how to recreate the items that you find in the book. Now the question that you need to ask yourself is, Digital or Manual?