Well, I've had about all I can take of viruses, spyware, malware, etc. For the past couple of weeks, my PC and I have been fighting an uphill battle...losing so far. There are times when the thing works fine (now, for instance). Other times, there's nothing on my screen but a frozen mouse pointer and my wallpaper. And when it's not frozen, it's so slow it might as well be. My son has had Macs for some years now and has yet to install any antivirus software...or to have any reason to do so. I'm about ready to bite the bullet and spring for a MacBook of one variety or another. I know all the arguments about software availability, but I really don't care about that. As long as I can have a word processor, a spreadsheet, email, the internet of course, and some sort of photo program, I'm good. Oh yeah...Snagit would be good too (hopefully, there's a Mac equivalent). I will never need an Access database! Just thought I'd check in with you guys and see what opinions I could get. I know some of you use Macs and I'd love to hear your thoughts. Any regrets? Any problems? Thanks, boys and girls. Oh, and if you answer me and I don't thank you properly and promptly...there may be a good reason for that!
I have heard a lot of things about Macs and would buy one myself, but at the same time they are not really the be all and end all that some people make them out to be. There ARE Mac viruses and such they just aren't as common is all. Beyond the software issues (which aren't REALLY issues to be honest) it is all pretty much straight forward. The thing I do not like about Macs is how they are pretty much buy and throwaway. Yes you can upgrade them but not to the point of a custom PC. There also is some extra money you are paying for the 'easiness' and 'sexiness' of a Mac. So keep that in mind too. Really you won't be unhappy with a Mac though if you go for it.
Macs are fantastic boxes. Since they now use intel chips you can run both Mac OS and Windows OS and dual boot to the one you want. Macs can still get infected but most attack the Windows platform. I would not hesitate to purchase a Mac. I do find their laptops on the heavy side.
NO! NEVER! EVER!!! NEVER GET THE OVER SIMPLIFIED WHITE BOXED DOOHICKYS!!!!!! I know many people with Macs who will tell you they'll never use anything else but when it gets down and dirty they're all complaining they're too slow and over priced. Chances are if you had a virus on a Mac it would just be stealing all your personal information and you would never know it. Upgrade to a free firewall (AVG?) and use firefox as a browser which doesn't allow pop ups or any software to run without your approval. Spend 50$ and pick your self up a gig of ram. You could also set up a back up disc and wipe your computer because you use so little software. Macs are just as problematic as PC's. Why else would they be running our processors and using our operating system?
I've hung out in apple stores, and I'm NOT impressed with the speed macs have. If you get ZoneAlarm's security suite, it'll protect you. Honestly, if you can, stick with windows XP (service pack 2). I have yet to see a real significant reason to upgrade to the Vista. jaykay's right. Memory makes a big difference. PC's are easy to work on, too. Mine has pretty blacklights in it. Unfortunately, when it comes down to it, if you are strictly a useer (not a tinkerer) a mac might be your best option. Less work, less worry, less reward.
These days you need atleast a gig of ram. I'd suggest atleast 2 for normal day to day use. A dual core processor is good but I still run a single core on my desktop. You can get much further for much cheaper with a PC. Stick with XP as Jeff says. Vista has too many problems and wastes all your memory on pretty little animated graphics rather than on your programs. Atleast if you have a problem with a PC you can fix it, Macs are goners. Just try walking into the apple store on a friday night and checking out their customer service.
I've never bought a Mac, however I do know some people who would buy nothing else. I think a few others who have posted on here, in reference to keeping your computer, are correct. Antivirus software is good to have plus other tools. I've had my laptop for 5 years with no antivirus, and my desktop I just put on, AVG, after 2 1/2 years. I think VetsJetsnGuns had some good advice concerning bit torrent sites. I also agree with Jaykay concerning an upgrade to your computer. As you probably already know, MAINTENANCE is key to keeping your computer running smoothly.
Since you are looking at the Macbook, I assume you are in general wanting a laptop. Other than memory, laptops are not upgradable and very very few could open one up without creating more damage. I will say taking a hard drive out of a Mac is a long procedure but can be done however most normal users never need to remove a laptop harddrive. I have a Macbook Pro, and several current PC laptops and prefer the mac. As for speed, I don't find a difference but I'm not a gamer and Apple doesn't pretend to be a gamer box. If you look for a new PC you will be forced into VISTA which has been as problematic as all previous Microsoft releases. I'm sure Microsoft will eventually fix the issues. You will know if you want an apple by using one.
You could head over to best buy or comp usa and buy a dual core laptop with a gig of ram, 120gb hard drive, dvdr, etc. for 500$. You've gotta spend atleast a grand on a mac for it to be fast enough to run their over-engineered over-simplified dumbed up operating system and its animated display. PC <3 FOREVER
We have a couple macs at work, and i'm not a fan. Part of my job is keeping the computers in working order so, I can't totally avoid them. They're very overpriced for the hardware inside. Finding software is a nightmare (and no snagit), forget about gaming. Viruses exist for everything. You hear about it less with macs because there are fewer systems out there. There are even features of our forum that don't work with a mac. Then there's parts. If something breaks on my computer, I have a very good chance of getting those parts locally, just because pc's are so common. Macs have their uses, and excel greatly with graphical work, but for the average joe, you're handicapping yourself in todays market. This is a similar situation with myself and windows. If your goal is just to run a non standard operating system that is less prone to malware, look into linux (you can run it on your existing system). You'll have software issues with that too though. I know windows inside and out (MCSE), but I just don't like the way it does many things. I continue to use windows because it's the standard. I greatly prefer linux, but much of the software I use isn't available in linux, and I like to know that when i'm away from home I can sit down in front of any pc, and use it effortlessly. If you own just a mac, your windows skills are sure to decline. You can get a decent new laptop in the $400 dollar range if you look for it. The cheapest macbook at bestbuy is $1099. If you've totally given up on cleaning that system, why not just reinstall windows and start over? I know it's a pain, but no more so that restarting with any computer.
Agreed! Back up everything. You can get an external 80gig for less than 100$. Back up everything to there and even save and install all the programs you use onto it. That way you can just do a windows reinstall every time you begin to slow down. You can even make an ISO of a fresh copy of windows just the way you like it so you can make a fresh install to the exact way you like it.
When a program is "Not responding" in Windows, you'll wait forever to force quit or you'll kill the power and reboot. Force quit on a Mac is instantaneous! I'd never use Windows if I didn't have to. With the programs you are wanting to use, get the Mac.
I have to use PC:s @ work, but I have a Mac @ home! Love my Mac! There is nothing "oversimplified" about them, they can be as simple or complex as you wish. Just open a terminal window and you got full UN*X raw harshness... or just go with the flow and breeze your way through your computer experience! I agree they are a bit on the pricey side, but worth every penny! The only thing I regret with getting a Mac is that I didn't do it sooner!
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with a Mac or a PC. Both have their pros and cons, it just comes to which one you like using best. The Mac OS has a great interface but it takes a little getting used to if you're used to Windows. People can say all they want about lack of software but the fact of the matter is, unless you're into gaming, you probably won't suffer much. You noted yourself that you just needed the basics, so a Mac would be a great choice. A few people have mentioned how overpriced Macs are but since you are looking at the Macbook, it is very well priced when compared to the PC counterparts. There are cheap PC's out there and if you're really only looking for the basics, they will do just fine. Personally I have been using PC's and Macs for years and have decided that my next computer will definitely be a Mac.
Michael just use what you feel comfortable with . In general I would say people who have no networking skills and computer maintenance skills and hacking knowledge stay away from PC's and stick with Macs. since the macs are such a small society virus coders arent interested in making them, also Scotland Yard has its division just ignore mac users on the network. XP users offcourse get the big investigation because most of the world is on XP. (reliable source) Both systems need to be optimized no matter if your on mac or XP but mac has an easy tool which you run weekly . HD activity slows down any processor so if you have a big HD and lots of fragmentation it will affect your Clock cycli but you can fix that but defragmenting . I use both systems but grew up with MSX, Atari, then Macs . im a mac user since 1994 and indeed refuse to work with a pc untill I arrived at my current job Hated to use the pc but now im glad I had no choice no im fluent with both systems. why did I go mac well I had a music studio and midi equipment I used Cubase on the mac back then macs were better for audio ,graphics . I liked the less virus ,less maintenance straight forwardness of macs. I paid a lot for my old mac, and totally missed the era of G3,G4,G5. also missed the whole gaming era of 10 years ago when unreal tournament and Doom and wolfenstein were the hall mark of the pc. But the new Intel macs totally blew me away and I had to get one . the speed is amazing but dont get me wrong for the price id have 2 decent PC's or 1 great gamers PC fully customed. I have a Dual Core 2,66Ghz with 5GB RAM. and run Parrallels for my XP needs with parrallels you can run OSX and XP simulatenous I use it because I hate my Acer laptop so much its so slooow to the point it needs a complete re-install again. Weekly I run Ad-Aware on it and virus scanner continiously and registry cleaners. the basic simple maintenance. With Parrallels you can run Linux,XP,Vista , OS2 whatever you want. In bootcamp mode buildinto Leopard OSX you can bootup even into full XP then your mac book pro is exactly just like any pc laptop with all the danger and maintenance aswell . so you see when buying a mac you actually buy more computers on a virtual basis. Software well no problems at all with that I can show you the way. Ken has a point something I have hated Steve Jobs for you do pay for the sexyness of having a mac and that it isnt the standard OS in the world. for networking id say yes never go mac Windows is the standard for networking. These days you can do music on PCs aswell so for me it is a way of living to go with mac and the less hassle and my mind works better in a mac way. so if money is not the issue go for Mac.
I think the real question here is what does everybody to do end p with all these viruses and malware? I have ran two computers (one for 4 years, one for 2 years) without having a single virus. I may end up with some random piece of spyware embedded in my registry but thats solved as easily as changing the firefox browser settings.
After awhile many of us learn the tactic malware uses to get into our system, and we avoid them without it even registering. There was a time when my computer stayed full of it.
Ah, yes...Macs have now arrived! When the Windoze crowd starts getting defensive about their systems, then I know Macs are starting to get some "bite" in the market. As far as Macs "coming over to" Windows, Macs are still the superior system, but if I'm Steve Jobs, you bet I ditch Motorola and go with Intel so I can tap into the Windows market. I can remember Windows 3.1, and am no big fan of having to go behind the scenes and work in terminal mode. I know you don't have to do that with the later versions of Windows, but they have become more Mac-like, not the other way around. Macs had a GUI from day one. But in all seriousness, you just have to look at what you want to do and what system gets you there. I use Windows at work, but I have and will hopefully always have a Mac at home. YMMV-I've been a Mac user since 1990.
I certainly agree mac is ahead on software, but not being the "standard" just seems like a huge handicap. I also won't own any product that contains an intel processor, and yes, that includes pc's. Before I even consider a mac, they'll need to start offering some options under the hood.
Running iTunes on OSX and running my virtual PC at the same time to browse TSD with explorer , I can resize the XP window to any size and takes 1 (s) to rebuild. 2nd pic running XP in fullscreen.
