Maybe because it would give the virus writer the bragging rights of being the first to cripple the Mac platform with a real virus. Beats the hell out of being just another Windows virus.
Should I switch to Mac?
- Thread starter gojiragirl
- Start date
Maybe because it would give the virus writer the bragging rights of being the first to cripple the Mac platform with a real virus. Beats the hell out of being just another Windows virus.
Software engineer in my day job. In theory I could work on the Mac, and a lot of the tools I use are available/have equivalents on that platform, but I've found myself much more productive in Windows. A combination of factors at play here; some definite inertia on my part involved too; but overall I prefer the Windows environment. Although Ubuntu comes pretty close too these days.
Also the small matter of all my co-workers and 99% of the end users all use Windows.
And finally Apple has a dubious attitude towards security. If/when the Mac reaches critical mass for hackers to start targeting the system I think a lot of Mac people who bash Microsoft for security are in for a big shock.
Love the hardware though, desperately trying to justify a new 13 inch Macbook Pro to my wife!
Also the proud owner of 23 inch iMac, 4 iPods, 2 iPhones, Apple TV and airport extreme.
"The 'dubious' part is very important. It doesn't mean anything, but it scares people, every time."
I just got one of those to compliment my PC desktop and they're quite nice indeed. I've been using it nearly exclusively since I got it, but that's partially because my PC belches out a lot of heat and I don't have an A/C. Not that the Macbook doesn't get pretty darned hot when it's under load!
What I find interesting is how some of Apple's software that I previously couldn't stand is much more pleasant to use on a Mac. Safari and iTunes for instance... I can't stand using iTunes on my PC because it just feels totally out of place. On OSX it obviously fits right in and I haven't felt the need yet to go for a different music player. I do wonder how much of that is just the UI itself, or if it's a more general workflow thing that I'm responding to.
ARGH!!! The voices! The voices!!!
LOL!
I'm having the exact same debate as the OP. For various reasons, I have to buy a new laptop for myself. I've had a work laptop (PC) for years, but that's going away. I am SO tempted by the 13" MacBook Pro. It seems like it would do everything I need: word processing, basic photo manipulation, music/iTunes, surfing pr0n ... er, the web.
That's really all I do with it (not a gamer, for instance.) But, I want something that will be simple, low maintenance, hassle-free and keep me going for 4-5 years. I have several friends who made the switch from PC to Mac and all of them say I will love it. And, I have to admit I am rather enamored of the new MacBook Pro and it's fancy schmancy touch pad that recognizes gestures. The only downside I can see so far is that my Sony e-reader doesn't support Mac OS, but I know there's an open source program (that I already use for another function) that will convert. Likewise the Blackberry that may be in my future.
On the other hand, there's this great Dell Studio XPS that is has basically all the same features (including the backlit keyboard) that I can get for about 75% of the price of the MacBook Pro (less if I were to buy the commercial version at BestBuy, but then I'd be stuck with Geek Squad support, which I've heard horror stories about.) I know it has heat sink issues and have read you have to update the Bios and do some junkware scrubbing right away to get the most out of it. While that doesn't seem like that big a deal, the idea of having to do maintenance on the thing as soon as I pull it out of the box, and prospect of worrying about viruses and malware (more than on the Mac) for the rest of its life has me a bit uneasy. But, the price differential is hard to ignore.
I've found myself literally changing my mind by the hour the past couple of days. If I don't make a decision soon and stick with it, I'm afraid my husband is going to strangle me in my sleep.
From what I've read in this thread, it sounds to me like the MacBook would be the way to go in terms of relatively hassle-free home computing, for my needs.
If any of you experts have any advice, I would be forever in your debt.
LOL!
I'm having the exact same debate as the OP. For various reasons, I have to buy a new laptop for myself. I've had a work laptop (PC) for years, but that's going away. I am SO tempted by the 13" MacBook Pro. It seems like it would do everything I need: word processing, basic photo manipulation, music/iTunes, surfing pr0n ... er, the web.
That's really all I do with it (not a gamer, for instance.) But, I want something that will be simple, low maintenance, hassle-free and keep me going for 4-5 years. I have several friends who made the switch from PC to Mac and all of them say I will love it. And, I have to admit I am rather enamored of the new MacBook Pro and it's fancy schmancy touch pad that recognizes gestures. The only downside I can see so far is that my Sony e-reader doesn't support Mac OS, but I know there's an open source program (that I already use for another function) that will convert. Likewise the Blackberry that may be in my future.On the other hand, there's this great Dell Studio XPS that is has basically all the same features (including the backlit keyboard) that I can get for about 75% of the price of the MacBook Pro (less if I were to buy the commercial version at BestBuy, but then I'd be stuck with Geek Squad support, which I've heard horror stories about.) I know it has heat sink issues and have read you have to update the Bios and do some junkware scrubbing right away to get the most out of it. While that doesn't seem like that big a deal, the idea of having to do maintenance on the thing as soon as I pull it out of the box, and prospect of worrying about viruses and malware (more than on the Mac) for the rest of its life has me a bit uneasy. But, the price differential is hard to ignore.
I've found myself literally changing my mind by the hour the past couple of days. If I don't make a decision soon and stick with it, I'm afraid my husband is going to strangle me in my sleep.
From what I've read in this thread, it sounds to me like the MacBook would be the way to go in terms of relatively hassle-free home computing, for my needs.
If any of you experts have any advice, I would be forever in your debt.
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^^ As far as I can see, the MacBook certainly seems to be the choice for you. Go for it. 
If any of you experts have any advice, I would be forever in your debt.
I think someone else said earlier, the best to do is go along to an Apple Store and play with the thing for an hour or two. You should know fairly quickly if Mac OS is something you can live with or not.
As for the price difference, sure is hard to ignore. But you do get first class hardware, very good reliability and, lets be honest, owning an Apple laptop is undeniably cool, whether or not you care about such things.
I'm going to take a break from the techie talk to say I LOVE my new MacBook Pro and my new iPhone. These are some beautiful machines!
That being said I have had a few dropped calls on the iPhone. Oh well, I have too many apps to play with to talk on the phone now anyway.
Has anyone done any Java or Coco development on the Mac? We're using Windows XP at work but now that I'm on vacation and MAY have some time to kill I'm going to start experimenting with Java development on the MacBook because... well, just because.
That being said I have had a few dropped calls on the iPhone. Oh well, I have too many apps to play with to talk on the phone now anyway.
Has anyone done any Java or Coco development on the Mac? We're using Windows XP at work but now that I'm on vacation and MAY have some time to kill I'm going to start experimenting with Java development on the MacBook because... well, just because.
Wow, there has been a lot of posts since I put this up. Thanks for all of the advice. I've been playing with the macs at the Apple store and I have to say that I really like what I've seen so far. With the added bonus of getting a free touch and a discount I think I'm going to make the plunge.
Seriously, get a Macbook (Pro) with an OEM copy of Windows XP (depending on who you ask, they're still available) and use Boot Camp. That way you get the Mac hardware running Windows. The best of both worlds.
Then you can dive into Mac and learn at your own leisure.
Then you can dive into Mac and learn at your own leisure.
First, I thank you for your thoughts, folks. Sincerely.
Also, I wanted to let gojiragirl know about yet another option that I just became aware of yesterday, and that I think I'm going with: The Dell Studio 14Z.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/note...z/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-14z&cs=19&s=dhs
Seems to be geared toward students (though I'm long past those years
), has everything I was looking for, including options for a very fast DDR3 processor, lots of HD options, is thin, light, with a great screen and an option for a backlit keyboard, and it's about half the price of the MacBook Pro, and about 2/3 the price of the Studio XPS, but appears not to have any of the design or software problems of its "sister" machine. Doesn't come with an internal CD/DVD drive, but I will gladly forgo that for a slimmer, lighter machine (plus, I already have an external DVD drive.) And, in the grand scheme of things, for me, I guess it's worth dealing with anti-virus and malware vigilance to save that much as compared with the Mac (though I have to admit that I still drool over the MacBook's touchpad.)
Anyway, just wanted to throw it out there as food for thought. I know a lot of schools offer Dell affiliate program discounts.
Happy shopping.
Also, I wanted to let gojiragirl know about yet another option that I just became aware of yesterday, and that I think I'm going with: The Dell Studio 14Z.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/note...z/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-14z&cs=19&s=dhs
Seems to be geared toward students (though I'm long past those years
), has everything I was looking for, including options for a very fast DDR3 processor, lots of HD options, is thin, light, with a great screen and an option for a backlit keyboard, and it's about half the price of the MacBook Pro, and about 2/3 the price of the Studio XPS, but appears not to have any of the design or software problems of its "sister" machine. Doesn't come with an internal CD/DVD drive, but I will gladly forgo that for a slimmer, lighter machine (plus, I already have an external DVD drive.) And, in the grand scheme of things, for me, I guess it's worth dealing with anti-virus and malware vigilance to save that much as compared with the Mac (though I have to admit that I still drool over the MacBook's touchpad.) Anyway, just wanted to throw it out there as food for thought. I know a lot of schools offer Dell affiliate program discounts.
Happy shopping.
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See proper logical thinking wins the day.
Macbook pro = doesn't do everything a pc does... yes there are a lot of threats out there for windows users... but a bit of education makes any pc safe... Mac or PC.
Macbook Pro = same hardware as a pc now and for some reason they cost upwards to 45% more than say a dell.
I to bought a studio 15 at the same time my friend bought his macbook pro... he paid 2100.00 for a virtually idential system that i paid 1250 for.
The only downside of my studio 15 is that the speakers are so terrible that they make babies cry on the other side of the world.
MACs are for people that want to "feel cool" because they bought a "hip" product and decided they would want to spend 40% more on.......................... nothing?
Macbook pro = doesn't do everything a pc does... yes there are a lot of threats out there for windows users... but a bit of education makes any pc safe... Mac or PC.
Macbook Pro = same hardware as a pc now and for some reason they cost upwards to 45% more than say a dell.
I to bought a studio 15 at the same time my friend bought his macbook pro... he paid 2100.00 for a virtually idential system that i paid 1250 for.
The only downside of my studio 15 is that the speakers are so terrible that they make babies cry on the other side of the world.
MACs are for people that want to "feel cool" because they bought a "hip" product and decided they would want to spend 40% more on.......................... nothing?
A
Amaris
Guest
No, TrekkieMonster made a fair, balanced decision.
Mac & PC both have their upsides and downsides. One is not far superior to the other.
However, ...
Yes it does. I say this as someone who owns a Mac (with XP on Boot Camp), and a PC.
I worked for Dell in the Warranty department. The hardware quality is not the same.
He didn't find the right deal. Then again, in 5 years, his MBP will still be running smoothly without any necessary hardware replacement. It is very likely, however, that you will be replacing your fan and probably your hard drive in the next year or so, because your fan is inadequate. Make sure you backup your data. I mean that.
I didn't buy a Mac to feel "cool". I certainly didn't spend 40% more than on a PC. You want to try again or are we done here?
J.
Keep telling yourself that. It's one of my favorite grossly inaccurate generalizations. It's right up there with 45-year-old Trekkies living in their parents' basements teaching each other to speak Klingon.
Amen to that. Ok, I know anecdotal evidence is going to mean nothing to all the Apple-haters out there that won't acknowledge even the possibility that Apple is gaining popularity due to a commitment to quality, but here goes anyway.
I can think of four people of the top of my head that have called me in the last year seeking help fixing their Dells after having gone round and round with Dell tech support. (I can think of two more from other manufacturers) I insist that I'm not really a computer whiz and that there's probably a lot more that could be done than the 3 or 4 tricks I know. One said she thought I knew how to maintain computers because of all the things I do with mine. I point to the Apple logo and tell her that pretty much nothing goes wrong with it.
About a month ago I found myself saying "Hmmm... that's the second time I've had to restart this thing this year. Something's seriously wrong." The client that was in started laughing at me.
Please. I've been using Macs for going on two decades now. If anything, I'm an Apple Fanboy who has an irrational hatred of Windows and Microsoft. I could quote you chapter and verse on what makes Macs superior to Windows PCs, and for that matter why the Mac was is superior, and if I were younger and the platform wars were still going on, I probably would. Now, though, such fights just weary me. Just don't mistake me for some Johnny-Come-Lately who could be reasonable accused to basing his purchases on a pretty logo, when I'm one of the few people who can say they bought an iPod because they liked their Mac so much, and not the other way around as is becoming so common.
Not quite true. There is an acknowledged issue with the NVIDIA graphics chips used in all new Unibody Mac laptops which is causing a variety of problems. But, Apple has extended the warranty on this part to 3 years even if you don't have the extended AppleCare policy.
But in general, you are correct. This issue affects any computer maker using that graphics chip.
Commander Rabbit
Commander
I've been using PC's since the early 80's. Bought my first Mac a couple years ago and love it. Still use Windows at work. I don't have a strong preference either way regarding the software (I do pretty basic stuff on both), but I love the design of the iMac and the quality of the display. I splurged on the 24" one, and it's fabulous for watching DVD's.
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