Community Newsletter: Q&A: MacBook or PC laptop for college?
- 8/22/08 4:21 PM
As Macs become more popular, the viruses will come
by rsimanski - 8/18/08 9:50 PM In reply to: Viruses by nippywiffleThe main reason why there have not been more Mac viruses is the fact that until recently, very few people were using Macs, at least in relation to the number of PC users. Virus writers want a return on their investment. As Macs become more popular, viruses for Macs will become more common.
Yep
by nippywiffle - 8/19/08 6:36 AM In reply to: As Macs become more popular, the viruses will come by rsimanskiYeah.. that's what I was trying to say.. in a much longer, drawn-out way 
I was trying to get through to these Mac users who run without AV protection, that they need some... but really, I don't know why I care.. I won't be the one crying when half the macs of the world suddenly get hit by the "destruction caused by the first widespread mac virus" (as the media will probably call it).
won't happen
by chappejw - 8/19/08 9:56 AM In reply to: Yep by nippywiffleMacs are already super popular. What wouldn't be more gratifying for a virus writer than to show up all the Mac heads that their systems are just as flawed as a Windows virus magnet. Ha... Mac is based on FreeBSD or Unix which is what your bank will be using to keep your account safe. If Macs are so insecure why don't you tell us what is so insecure about them.
Why don't you get it?!
by nippywiffle - 8/19/08 11:12 AM In reply to: won't happen by chappejwI'm 110% certain that those banks are running their FreeBSD and Unix servers WITH ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION! They're not like you mac users just running their computer with no protection, thinking "my computer is invulnerable"... they HAVE PROTECTION.
YES unix based systems have always been known for being more secure in their nature, but it doesn't make them impenetrable.
AND, as I've mentioned before, it's not all about the OS, you have to worry about the various vendors writing software that you RUN on your mac/unix/bsd machine - every-day apps, plugins, chat programs.. whatever.. THOSE programs can have vulnerabilities just like any app, on running on any OS.
I'm not saying macs are "so insecure" - I'm saying that they CAN be compromised, as can ANY kind of computer attached to the Internet. It's simply the fact that the 'big time' virus writers (the ones that end up all over the media), will target the majority of computers out there - windows. What's more satisfying to a virus creator, taking down some home mac users, or taking down entire huge businesses running 1000's of PCs on Windows?
Why don't YOU get it?!
by chappejw - 8/19/08 11:33 AM In reply to: Why don't you get it?! by nippywiffleMac is based on FreeBSD, a variant of Unix. Why don't you find some examples of how Macs have been compromised then. We all know there are 100's of thousands of examples of how Windows systems have been compromised and taken over... For example, the Blaster Worm.
The case you are trying to make is unfounded and unproven. When Macs get popular enough virus writers will START targeting them. Ha... There is a good reason they cannot easily do that. It's because Unix systems have multiple levels of access and permissions on every single file in the system. Windows? Anyone I've ever known who uses their Windows Box logs in as Administrator leaving the whole system open to attack. All programs, and all access then has administrator privilege. Don't believe it? Try going into the Windows folder with all the OS guts and start deleting, copying, and renaming things. On Mac, Linux, FreeBSD or any flavour of Unix you will not be able to do that without typing in an administrator or root password. On Windows, you have already typed that in by logging in as administrator. On any *NIX based system you can type it in for a single action and then you are back to user level again. On Windows you have to friggin log out, closing all your apps and log back in to do it which means it is a major pain in the ass so virtually nobody simply runs their system as a "USER"... Why don't you understand security? Now with all this lack of security people buy antiviruses, spyware detectors, and a whole world of crapware that is a step in the completely wrong direction. The way Windows approaches security is inherently flawed. End of story.
...
by nippywiffle - 8/19/08 12:59 PM In reply to: Why don't YOU get it?! by chappejwHere's 1 example for you. The recent DNS flaws that were uncovered affected Windows DNS services, but ALSO BIND services (running on UNIX systems). Both Microsoft, and the various providers of BIND and other non-microsoft based DNS systems had to rush out a patch for their systems.
It's not always about attacking the OS itself. And as I've said before, I completely agree that unix/mac/bsd is, over all, a much more secure system - but in no way is it UN-COMPROMISABLE.
By the way, Vista introduced the whole run as a user, and use admin rights for specific tasks thing. Also, the "run as" command has been available since Windows 2000, to do this yourself.
Windows doesn't treat you like a baby and assume you know nothing (as mac does), so sometimes you just have to be a little technical and work these things out yourself.
unix/mac/bsd is, over all, a much more secure system
by chappejw - 8/20/08 10:23 AM In reply to: ... by nippywiffleI'm glad you completely agree that unix/mac/bsd is, over all, a much more secure system. If it is not uncompromisable then how can it be compromised? Any examples? BIND is a Domain name server that usually ships with Unix based systems. However, even if you use Mac or Linux, you will have your DNS server provided by your ISP so it will not be something you deal with as an internet customer.
Vista did not introduce the whole run as a user, and use admin rights for specific tasks thing... By no means did Vista introduce this concept. This was introduced with Unix in 1970, nearly 40 years ago. This only reinforces how poorly the Windows operating system has been designed from the beginning.
Actually, windows does not really adapt to the user as other operating systems do. For some examples, annoying popup balloons that have no settings to disable. Everytime you clear your internet explorer cache it once again asks you if you want to view the next page which is from a secure connection... It's just one big world of pain with Windows. Once you have used a Linux operating system which clears away all that clutter and clickety clicking on everything on the screen, you will gladly never want to use Windows again.
Someday Macintosh might stop sucking.
by metalfan1982 - 9/8/08 5:13 AM In reply to: Reality break by thesledmanWhat she meant by "someday" was that "someday" macintosh "might" have enough of the market share to make it worth 4it to start writing alot of viruses for OS X. I personally don't think that will ever happen however.
Office suite
by jennywren1420 - 8/16/08 1:37 PM In reply to: Not exactly... by JMiguelActually, you don't even have to buy a suite of applications like Office if you get a Mac: There are free ones online that are perfectly fine and can even be used with Office. If you feel you need to have Office, however, you can get the Student version. It has everything you'll need for school (and work, later), and then some.
Jenny
Free Office Suite, no registration, no trial
by chappejw - 8/16/08 4:14 PM In reply to: Office suite by jennywren1420OpenOffice - www.openoffice.org
Mac Vs. PC
by popcornandgoobers - 8/17/08 4:53 PM In reply to: Not exactly... by JMiguelLet me just give you a simple answer to your question.
Macs are very reliable and PC is very cost effective. I have used both and I am very happy with both. I am not a fan of Windows vista so my preference was to try Mac. Let me just say that I have had a great experience with MAC. Im not saying that PC is bad. Its Not. I just really like my experience with MAC.
Plus one thing to consider is that currently there is NO viruses that are attacking the MAC. Before you take any advice from any of us here. Simply go the Best Buys and try both the MAC and the PC out for yourself.
There is enough Fanboys on both sides and everyone is going to tell you to go one way or the other. Simply just try them both out and see which one works with your needs. And be sure to tell us what you decided on. Im sure with BOTH you will be happy.
PS: For college dont be worried about what is better for business. Think about Homework, Internet and music. Thats going to be all your really going to be using the computer for now. And BOTH will offer you features for what you need it for. Just try them both out and see what feels right to you. I personally chose the MAC and I am VERY happy.
No XP Notebooks
by googoobaby7 - 9/20/08 4:04 AM In reply to: Windows or Macintosh Notebooks Can Work Well in College by lewisedgeYou CAN NOT BUY Windows XP notebooks anymore.
college laptop
by DUCLOSA - 8/8/08 7:18 PM In reply to: MacBook or PC laptop for college? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you are on a budget, stick to a PC laptop: Dell, HP, so on... For the same amount of money, you'll get something with a faster CPU, more RAM, a bigger HDD, faster video subsystem and larger screen. If money is no object, an Apple product is an excellent choice.
Alain.
Price is not everything
by spotvin - 8/15/08 7:04 PM In reply to: college laptop by DUCLOSAI would like to add to Duclosa's message, that you should carefully compare price on both Mac and PC, but not only in the short term.
A few thoughts.
-I found that similarly equipped PC often cost more then their Mac counterpart.
-Yes you can buy a cheap PC laptop, but it will not have the features of more expensive models.
-If you want something to type email and write a few papers, then buy a cheap laptop. If you want something more reliable and durable, do spend the money.
A colleague of mine bought a cheap Dell laptop. It died after less than two years... and he was still making payments on it.
I still have a perfectly working Powerbook. Cost me a bit more at the time, but in the long run, I saved.
In short, do shop and compared carefully.
Just stick to PC
by migafre - 8/16/08 9:49 AM In reply to: Price is not everything by spotvinThese days there isn't much of a difference between a "cheap" laptop and an expensive one in terms of durability of the internal components. In any case, if you buy a $500 laptop and it lasts you 2 years as opposed to buying one Apple that costs you $1500 and last 4 years, you still come out ahead $500 and you get a new pc(face it most people love to have new pcs even if they are cheap, it's a new shiny toy).
The fact is that a durable laptop is one that has good internal airflow because most of the time a laptop dies because of the stress heat puts on the chips and other components. So look around, find models that you like and then do research on them. And get yourself a good cooling pad, which will help prolong the life of your laptops fan along with cooling your harddrive.
I'd stick with Windows because you can't go wrong. And seeing that your father put a cap of $1500, you won't get a Macbook that is really "superior" to a PC in terms of video editing or the sorts.
And most of all do NOT take Mac fanboy's word that Macs "just work" because as we've seen time and time again, Macs have problems like any other peice of electronics.
In the end any program you need will be on a PC. That might not be the case for a Mac.
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