I am looking at buying a new computer as my current dell laptop is very infected with spy ware and viruses. It is also old, and I would like to get something new. I use the computer to surf the web, e-mail, and would like to buy an I-Pod, and like the I-tunes feature of the Apple, as a friend of mine has one. I understand you can get a I-Pod that is PC compatible too. I hear an Apple is less likely to get spy ware and viruses. If cost is not an issue with my needs, which one should I go for.
Just bought a new Apple Powerbook (my first mac) and I love it. My ipod mini and my old Toshiba laptop were always arguing (3 songs transfered,stall,reset.etc), on the mac its as seemless as it shoud be. The only downside of the Mac for me is the lack of software available for my Polar.
I can’t see myself buying another Windows machine any time soon. The Mac works and looks better IMO.
As someone who has been involved with the computer industry for over 15 years now, it is funny to see how business evolves. Up until 5 years ago, I would say to definitely go with a PC. The Mac had all but died, and they were even losing (badly) in their core markets (graphics, video editing, etc.). PC Hardware was developing faster, and with the Microsoft partnership, there was virtually no software development.
…fast forward 5 years…and Intel cutting their own throat when the put Intergraph Computer Systems out of business (a nice $350 million a year company that other than SGI, was the only computer company to engineer their own systems - including motherboards), the have destroyed “development” of the PC platform as it’s growth has all but been stunted.
…and despite those who dislike Mr. Jobs, he DOES create products, and has gotten the marketing machine rolling. They’ve beat out other electronics companies i.e. Sony and now are definitely on an upswing.
I have never owned a Mac, but have been thinking about it lately. Perhaps the next laptop will be one. If connectivity is what you want…they have it. The only issue (at this point) would be some of the internet posting (as mentioned). However, I believe things like that will work themselves out as Apple continues to develop and grow. Don’t tell my friends who I debated on the PC side for years…but if I were you, I’d go Mac
PC’s are more likely to get spyware and viruses, but only because virus writers are more likely to write for them. Macs have numerous security flaws, and if the market share situation was flipped, Macs would be getting viruses. It is harder to write viruses for a unix-based machine, but still can be done. Just don’t think that Macs are impervious. It is that virus writers don’t care.
I prefer PC’s myself. I like WinXP much better than MacOS. My biggest annoyance with Macs – no maximize window command. I think this a nice feature, especially on a small laptop, to be able to instantly click to have the screen fill the window. I’ve never liked that Mac’s don’t have it.
I’ve used both and just find my WinXP machine easier to use. But you have to be more diligent about protecting it…
That said, the iBooks are hard to beat for feature/price ratio. The G4 laptops are not as well constructed as people make them out to be. I know of several owners whose cases have become bent and warped through normal usage. Many PC’s have alloy cases that are lighter and sturdier than the Mac.
Go to CompUSA and play around and see which one you like the feel and interface of, then get that one…
I bought an Apple 15" Powerbook G4 a couple of months ago. I also have a Pentium 4 PC running Windows XP.
I’m pleased with the Apple, but it also demonstrates how far Windows has come. The Apple isn’t necessarily easier to use. Just different.
It definitely appears to be well made, and the hardware is well-integrated. If you option up a Dell, HP, etc… to similar specs, the Apple is roughly $200 more.
The big thing you need to consider is this: there are way more applications available for PC than for Mac. If you have a GPS, you may want a PC, because I haven’t fhad luck finding Mac-based integration software, yet. All the Office output files are compatible between the two.
The virus stuff I think is a function of popularity, or lack of it. If Apple had 90% of the market, there would be more people writing viruses and such for the Apple.
The Ipod is what is driving Apple now and some users like you are considering MACs to use with the IPOD. The MAC still has a very small market share overall except for in education. I think that the MAC is a great machine if you just want to use it for the IPOD and basic home use. Although the market for software has grown there are still some limitations and some websites still don’t support none IE browsers (mistake IMO). The MAC is a stable platform but just be aware that, depending on what you want to do, you may have some limitations with the MAC. As for the IPOD / PC relationship, I know many people running the IPODs on PCs with no issues.
I would say go look at both and find a machine you like based on what you expect it to do. If you know there are things you need to be able to do on the machine then you should verify you can do them with a MAC if not then a MAC would be great.
If that’s all your going to use the machine for (i.e. web browsing, e-mail, and iTunes), then go for it if it suits your boat. I work in the computer industry. In the past few years, I’ve owned both PC and Apple machines. I’m now strictly a PC person mostly due to the fact that there is more software that’ll run on it and that it’s generally cheaper.
The PC is more “work” to maintain and keep spyware and virus free (I think largely due to the fact that there are just more PC users out ther so PCs are the obvious target). Although if you setup your PC with the proper detection software to begin with, that should go a long way in helping you out.
What is that phrase that everyone brings up? The one that fits you. I don’t know. I have both and I use my Powerbook for everything not work related and sometimes I fire up virtual PC and use it for work. I like them both but there is much more software and it is much easier to get for the PC. They will have to pry my Mac out of my cold dead hands, though.
If cost is not an issue…due to the items you listed I would get a 17" Mac Powerbook. I bought one about 2 months ago. L-O-V-E it. I have had a Mac of one form or another for the last 20 years…I just never seem to have the problems that my PC friends have with their computers. To me it really don’t matter why they have problems and I don’t…the reality is that unless you like to fidget with your computer’s inner parts, a Mac really is user friendly.
At work I have a PC…and even with Spyware software and Virus software, I still get occasional problems on it.
Apple is a far better platform. I have a powerbook and I have never had any problems or had to reformat it and it always works flawlessly. I do not miss the PC glitchs, lockups, and day long reformats.
apple OSX jaguar is lightyears ahead of windows in ease of use (such as i pods or cameras) and stability
Funny I just spent a heap of time looking at new architecture to switch all of my universe (home and business) over to Linux and Mac. The main reason is that there is not one virus right now for the Mac. Not one. The last one was like 2 years ago. The amount of time and money you spend with a slower machine, anti-spyware and virus programs, and consultants that you think will work and really don’t, far out weighs the costs of Mac or Linux.
There is only one problem, and that is a few programs won’t work on Linux or Mac. So my solution is to run one machine in Windows that doesn’t connect to the Internet, and everything else in Linux or Mac.
Mac vs PC
carbon vs aluminum
tubulars vs clinchers
Shimano vs Campy
Zipp vs Hed
this could get ugly, but it can also be fun - when conducted in a civilized manner.
In another words, Macs rule (user since they were invented; typing this on a 12" Powerbook which is hooked up to a 17 inch desk monitor) and Bill Gates has a 3-speed with a banana seat and wears water wings…
Go Mac. We have two Macs and a PC running XP in the house, and despite not running any email client or Microsoft Office on the machine I still have to completely reinstall XP once or twice a year after it gets bogged down.
Sheesh. With all the Mac posts, you’d think that everyone browsing this forum is a Mac user. Obviously, the stats show otherwise. For some reason, Apple folks always seem to feel the need to try and push Apple as the golden ticket and the only way to enlightenment. It’s pretty rare that you’ll have such a cult following with PCs, yet so many more folks use PCs.
I’m not knocking the Mac. As I stated before, I’ve used them extensively in the past - exclusively from say 88-96. Again from 2002-2004ish. They’re nice machines. Are they any better than PCs? I don’t think so. They’re probably more user friendly, but they’re also more expensive, harder to upgrade, and run less software.
FWIW, I’ve had Windows XP running on my workstation for years now. I don’t have any blue screens, haven’t been infected with a virus nor spyware, I don’t have any issues with system stability, and I’ve never had to reformat. My box just stays chugging along. I think a good deal of folks’ problems with XP are really user error more than anything else.
Sheesh. With all the Mac posts, you’d think that everyone browsing this forum is a Mac user. Obviously, the stats show otherwise.
That’s because most of us Mac users are at work where we are subjected to PCs!
