Youve gotta be dedicated to be running both systems. I've reached the point where I now take the easyest way out. I just built a system a couple weeks ago and realized how much I hate computer. I so go with the 500$ beater from a chain. Simple. Clean. Easy.
Well, that was an interesting read! I thank you all very much for your suggestions and input. I have no idea what a lot of it meant, but it was entertaining to see the PC guys get defensive. Reminds me of the old days when I owned Macs and no one else did. A few comments... Use Firefox and nothing can load without my permission? Yeah, right. I use Firefox - and WAS using it when I watched an exe download itself before my eyes. Settings wrong? Maybe. I have no idea what's right, what's wrong - or how to change them if I DID know. User vs tinkerer? I hate computers. I do not want to tinker. Worse, I do not want to HAVE to tinker! Yes, you can probably get more computing power for less money with a PC. I don't care. See above for the apps I run. I couldn't care less about software availability. If I buy a Mac, I'm not sure I'll even have to buy any software. As for gaming, trust me - that will never happen. "If you have a problem with your PC, you can fix it"?! Why do you think I'm considering replacing it. I CAN'T FIX IT! "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$." Yep, I could...and before long, I'd probably the same problems I have today. "why not just reinstall windows and start over? I know it's a pain, but no more so than restarting with any computer." A pain? I would have NO IDEA how to do that. And what would I have then?...a PC that I could trash all over again. "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." You're joking, right? I have no clue what that means. And what's an ISO? (never mind). "I think the real question here is what does everybody to do end up 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." I'm happy for you JayKay. Fact is, I DO have this crap and can't get rid of it. Yesterday, I had no desktop icons and no taskbar; Before they disappeared, I could see them, but I couldn't open any of them - including My Computer. Last time I could actually see it, my C-drive was labeled with a big red X and was full of temp files that I can't delete. I can't upload any photos because...how do I know?! I just can't. When I have to reboot (often), it takes a good 30-45 minutes before it's stable enough to even open an application. That's ok though...without a reboot, I CAN'T open any applications. I have owned four Macs in my day; an early Mac Plus (not even a hard drive, just two 3 1/2" floppies), a Mac SE (40MB HD), a Mac II and finally, a G3. I eventually bought a PC because everyone else had one and I figured if I ever had a problem with it, I could find plenty of help. And because PCs are much less expensive. Live and learn, I guess. If I have used them before and, from the tone of some of my comments above, my feelings about PCs are apparent, you may be wondering why I bothered to ask for opinions. Well, it's been a long time and the days of those old Macs are long gone. Also, it never hurts to ask for opinions and lastly, I was hoping someone would come up with a good reason to spend $500 instead of $1500-$2000. No one did. So, my initial question has been answered. Mac it is. Now the question is...do I wait for the rumored June release of some sort of new Mac laptop platform or do I just head over to the Apple Store now? I doubt I can make this thing last until April, much less June. Thanks again for all your opinions. I do appreciate your taking the time.
My advice for anything computer related, unless you have a FIRM release date for something you KNOW you want, but the best you can now. Waiting around will only complicate things. If you buy something now you know you will like, the obsolete factor will never take hold.
Go now. Not that you will ever get a good deal on a MAC. I use both pc's and macs daily and absolutely hate macs. But you seem committed. As macs are becoming more popular among those who can afford them, which would include those with enough money to want to steal from. As for tech support I've heard of people actually being asked to leave the store by the tech support a-hole squad for not understanding what they're talking about. Mac-malware will be just as bad as pcs in the next coming year or two. But your committed. Stop teasing your self and drive to the mac store. now.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, defensive though they may be. And yes, JayKay, I can afford one. Am I supposed to apologize?
I've tried to get tech support for my iPod, and they told me I would have to make an appointment, or I probably wouldn't get to see a tech. So far I'm not impressed with apple tech support, either.
Michael, you asked for help, and we've provided you with tons of information, and tried to help. I don't understand why you're getting defensive when we're responding, and trying to help you. You asked our opinions, and that's what we also gave you. Some here like mac, some don't. If you want a mac you should go buy one, but realize they get viruses and spyware too, which seems to be your real reason for buying the mac. Malware comes from websites, email, programs, files.... all kinds of stuff. I have personally provided you with some considerable resources to clean this stuff off. You've tried about 1/3 of what I recommended, and not responded to the rest. I'm sure there are professionals in your areas that are also capable of repairing problems like this, but honestly, it sounds like your decision had been made before you ever spoke to any of us. Your computer is not destroyed. It's just a machine, and it can be repaired if you want it to be. It can also be replaced if you want it to be.
I'm just saying for the money the product nor the tech support are up to par with the bill. I'll close my eyes and make a funny face. I was just stating that due to the price of the product and the part of the consumer market which they target, macs have become a new favorite of hackers and those who create spyware/viruses. I was just stating my opinion. You have the right buy whatever you please. No need to get defensive.
Also, in hopes of fixing your current computer... In firefox go to tools->options->content. Check block popups. You can than go to the section that says file types and click on "manage" and manage each type of file. I'm not sure what the actual situation is but from my experiance firefox has never downloaded or executed anything without my permission. http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall-Windows-2000-XP-/3000-10435_4-10039884.html?tag=lst-7 Zone alarm is a wonderfire wall which will ask you about EVERYTHING which tries to use the internet. If you have comcast cable/internet they allow you to download McAfee for free and run their antivirus. If not you can always use AVG which is free and pretty good. http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?tag=lst-2 Also I would recomend downloading both windows defender and spybot weekly to keep your hard drive and registry free of malware. links below. http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?tag=lst-1 http://www.download.com/Microsoft-Windows-Defender/3000-12771_4-10353597.html?tag=lst-1 All are free ways to keep a computer clean and also clean up a computer. If you would like to start over I would suggest backing up all your files onto a cd/dvd/thumbdrive or any other type of media which is easy and makes you happy. I would than scan the media after backing them up to make sure it is clean. You than just insert the windows disk that your computer came with. Your computer will boot from that disk and give you the option to erase everything and start over.
Wow this is going downhill. Okay.... I'm reading this thread again, and trying to think of it in a non computer guy mind set, which can make quite a bit of difference in the way things read. I think what JayKay is saying, is that the higher price of a mac means that mac owners as a generalization have more disposable income, which would therefore make them a larger target for future malware development. One of the main goals of many forms of malware is to get access to your financial information (although not all). I don't THINK he's criticizing you for being able to afford a mac, just mentioning the possibility of mac being a larger target in the future.
Exactly. Thank you sparky. If you need any help with your computer Michael feel free to ask. I look towards all of you for shaving advice and would love to help you or anybody else in the forum with computer related problems.
While Bobby and a few others have mentioned it, let us please try our best to keep this all friendly and civil. The whole Mac Vs. PC debate has been long going but there is no reason for silly misunderstandings or comments to be taken out of their intent. There is no reason for this thread to go to the stage of being locked to avoid fights, so let us hope it doesn't come to that!
I'm glad you chose to go back to the Mac. Like I said, I will be doing the same whenever I decide to purchase a new computer. I have been a Mac user all my life until I went to college, where a PC was required. I don't have a problem with either. I see the benefits of having both. If you're going to get a Macbook, you might as well get it now. They're freshly upgraded. I doubt there will be a redesign since the Macbook Pro's will probably be redesigned first (everyone is crying that there was no redesign when they upgraded them, haha). Honestly... there IS another way to spend $500 that noone has mentioned, but since you are not as tech inclined, it wouldn't be a good idea, hehe. I was going to say you could build a hackintosh (basically using pc parts and running Mac OS on it). Another possible option would also to look into the new Linux based pc's such as the gPc (available at walmart) or the eee pc. But regardless of options, I think you will be better off with a Macbook
One of the problems with online forums is that it can be easy to misunderstand someone else's intent. If my longish post above, thanking everyone for their input, was misinterpreted, I apologize. I was merely trying to point out that there is so much of this PC nonsense that I don't understand, don't really want to understand - and wish I didn't HAVE to understand. As for the "I can afford it" post...speaking of misunderstanding...I completely misread JayKay's post. What he was trying to say was quite different than what I interpreted. Even after that reply, JayKay still came back with an offer to help and more suggestions. I appreciate that. Thank you. I have been unsuccessfully trying to deal with my PC problems for much too long and am more than a little frustrated. We'll see what happens.
No problems. I'm always here to help. Technology is a big pain in the *&^*(^(*^. I think that goes for everything from computers to cars and everything in between. Come to think about it, razors are about the best technology out there. Also, sometimes, less frustrating
Well, this is gonna be interesting!! Just got home with my new MacBook Pro!! Different look and feel - THAT'S for sure. Been a while since I used a Mac. Umm, but it works! I have some tinkering to do, but it's 9PM and I gotta eat!! Talk amongst yourselves.
