Blendtecs and Vitamix blenders are not the same. I own both (one foor the office and one at home) and will have to admit that I prefer the Vitamix. The Vitamix has 4 blades instead of the 2 in the Blendtec and the variable speed on the Vitamix is a great feature. The Blendtec is also more geared towards pre-programmed cycles. Sometimes I have to run 2-3 cycles to get the consistency I want in a smoothy. The Vitamix is more turn on & walk away until it's done, which is usually 25-40 seconds. If I had to do it again, I would own two Vitamixes and not one of each.