iThread

[Isaac Dodgson]

I can't believe i missed this thread, as a resident Mac user and all...

 

[Hawgh]

I use a PC, and so far I've been using a PC with Windows, because, well, I sorta want to play games on it. I haven't had a virus on my last two computers, and I've been using nothing but freeware firewalls or trials downloaded in a jiffy.
That's not to say that there a Apple products I wouldn't mind owning, an Iphone for example. Lotsa cool freeware gadgetry for that one. Only problem would be that I'm not sure I can muster the arrogance to mingle with the general subculture.

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

Yes, I know this is a troll, but yes, I do have to answer this question.

If you know it's a troll why do you continue to give him your attention? PM a moderator in the future.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Snipped by moderator, be considerate, we don't want to scroll for ages.

That's useful, and awesome. I'll need to copy/paste this for future use when I get my new PC.

By the way, what 'Windows' are you referring to? Also, how do you get a 'stripped to the bone' version?

 

[Gitsnik]

PEBKAC [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEBKAC]

...
...
...

99% of any crashes or errors are caused by PEBKAC or a bug(s) with 3rd party programs/games. The other 1% can be legitimately blamed on Microsoft.

In the last two months I've got 10 new remote exploits and worms for Microsoft and only 3 for software that runs on Microsoft products. This could be because people are actively targeting Microsoft, but that is not the case when you see the number of vulnerabilities that are being discovered and patched. (I'm intentionally not including web page based exploits here by the way).

Now my experience as a Systems Administrator is inclined to agree with you on the PEBKAC thing, but if there is anything that I've learned in the last 5(+) years, it's that most of the time the problem is not the users fault. Viral infection can occur just from visiting a web page, or in a forged email from a legitimate sender:

Spoiler: SMTP Forge

gitsnik@dreadnought ~> nc localhost 25
220 mx2.whereiwork.com.au ESMTP Postfix
HELO localhost.example.org
250 mx2.whereiwork.com.au
MAIL FROM:<hacker@haha.com>
250 2.1.0 Ok
RCPT TO:<gitsnik@internal.domain.com>
250 2.1.5 Ok
DATA
354 End data with .
Subject: Free Cialis!
To: Chickens
From: President Bush <cia@cia.gov>

Interesting content about sex and drugs and what not
.
250 2.0.0 Ok: queued as 97E265C54
QUIT
221 2.0.0 Bye
gitsnik@dreadnought ~>

PEBKAC is potential, but I'm not sure that it justifies that high a number.

Also, random insight: A lot of Microsoft developers (the guy who works on WMP for example) claim that 3rd party plugins are at fault, and whilst this is true, decent coding of the internal API can (SHOULD) prevent these problems.

Edit: brought to you by my MacBook Pro which is crashing courtesy the latest round of MS Office Updates.

Whoops, Edit 2: OS X runs better for non-viral infections because it's already in a restricted account (unless you manually enable the root user and use that), but you get a lot less of a game base. I'm a Sophos partner (well, the two man company I work for is) and recommend it for all three types of OS for their fore-running work in a lot of the AntiVirus field and run it on my own OS X installation (three servers, and a laptop) as well as at all the companies I contract for.

Gah, Edit 3: Final edit I promise. AVG have proven themselves slightly unreliable lately in what they do and don't keep for your system, Avast I support all the way though. Yarr.

 

[leecho7]

This isn't a statement, I mean it as an honest question to all Mac users...

Why did you buy a Mac as opposed to a PC?

As a person who uses a Mac, I honestly have to say they are no better than Windows based PC.
If you want to really get technical, Mac computers are "PCs" or "personal computers" as well.

The reason why I started using a Mac was not because of the hardware, or all the bullshit hype/sub-culture/cult Apple has created through its marketing campaign. I use a Mac because I do a lot of video editing, and after using Adobe, Avid, and Final Cut, I found that Final Cut was easier and more pleasurable to use. Final Cut happens to be exclusively for Mac OS X, which is why I got a Mac in the first place.

Although its a relief not having to run virus scanners, spyware scanners and all the sort, Mac OS X Leopard still has its fair share of glitches and crashes.

I actually used to build Windows based PCs back in the day, and enjoyed it very much. I experimented with water cooling, overclocking, having fun acting like a mad scientist bent on world domination. I have Windows Vista installed on my Mac Pro now, and have to say it is not all that bad as people make it out to be. But then again, I just use Vista for gaming.
It really is about personal preference. Over the years I grew accustomed to the layout of Mac OS X, and now I just feel more 'at home' with it than I do with Windows.
I create videos as a hobby/freelancer, found a program I liked that is exclusively for Mac OS X, so I bought myself a Mac.

I am in no way saying that AVID and Adobe sucks compared to Final Cut Pro, all three are great programs. I just personally liked the interface and options offered by Final Cut Pro.

 

[SnowCold]

iPreffer PC
/Thread

I prefer correct spelling ><

iDon't kare

 

[Joos]

I want a new laptop (god forbid I'll be able to afford one... but I digress...) and all of our previous computers have been fucked by viruses in the past. I want a laptop that has these features:

Very good at:
Internet surfing
Playing and downloading music and videos
Playing downloaded games (like SNES/Gameboy emulators and I Wanna Be The Guy)

Won't get viruses
And has an easy interface
Won't crash very often

Can Macs do all these? Help a gal out here.

Get a snazzy looking laptop that you like. Make sure its got windows Vista. Install AVG Antivirus free edition. Download and play away!

What laptop to get? Thats a different discussion, but if you want to discuss, feel free to send me a PM.

 

[xxcloud417xx]

Nimbus, 90% of computer owners don't care what they get, they just want something cheap, that browses the web and is able to use a word processing document. That's hardly the crowd to ask if a Mac is a good machine.

Oooh, so Macs are for elitists, now we're getting somewhere.

Don't put words in my mouth.

Macs are more for professional grade or hardcore technology users. And the average person isn't like that.

 

[xxcloud417xx]

Can Mac's play Crysis/Fallout 3/BioShock? Even Quake 2? Quake 4? If it couldn't play at least 3 of those, I don't know how much I'd want one, even free (unless I could sell it obviously). However, I'm biased, I just got a new top-of-the line gaming PC for the low price of 500 bucks, I'd type out the specs, but I'm too lazy to think right now, so I'll say this: Crysis (at something like 1200x1000 with 4xAA) on Highest with Vista. *****

Actually yeah, Mac has Quake 4 and Crysis is EA, and EA has returned to the Mac platform... sooo... yeah you can. as for running it so well for under 500 dollars... no... hell no.

It may have Bioshock and Fallout but I'm not sure yet.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

I used to be unbiased towards macs, but that was all before their recent advertising campaign of PC bashing was aired on television. Now, whenever I think about a mac all I can see in my head are those comercials that just get under my skin.

 

[Slayer_2]

Actually yeah, Mac has Quake 4 and Crysis is EA, and EA has returned to the Mac platform... sooo... yeah you can. as for running it so well for under 500 dollars... no... hell no.

It may have Bioshock and Fallout but I'm not sure yet.

Well I know it can run Quake 4, but thats 1 outta 5. And there are now Mac-only viruses. Macs = cheaper and take a little bit less room. If you live in a house, space shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Akas]

I'm neither crazy about Macs or PCs, but I'll say one thing about Macs that I like:

-BATTERY LIFE. Yes, I know it's all subjective, there are PC laptops blah blah blah, but Macs tend to have a longer battery life with it's laptops. If I didn't have an Alphasmart, I would have considered getting one for work.

 

[shatnershaman]

I like Mapple computers. I don't like their price (slim n' sexy is nice but I can get that in PC too, for cheaper, and put an Apple sticker on it. I also hate Mapple for their attack ads, DRM, and their general ideology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L2fsubA2-c