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Message |
    
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 37
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:48 pm: | 
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I am thinking about switching from my PC back to an Apple computer. I have been having a lot of problems with crashes and slowness and I believe too much software running in the background. I believe that Apple will run cleaner.
So I have been considering an Apple desktop or laptop and I was wondering if there are many major complaints/problems/viruses etc... associated with Apple?
Oh yeah, I have an Ipod that I love and I work with a lot of photos (hobby.)
I have also read that Apple has an operating system that easily works with Windows. This would be key since the job uses PC and would have to work on documents at work and at home.
Can anyone make any suggestions to me as I continue researching? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1537
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:51 pm: |
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You can purchase Microsoft Office for Mac and go back and forth with word and excel documents from mac to PC, etc etc.
No major complaints here...if you are traveling to and from work...and working with mostly documents and some photos. Sounds like the regular Macbook is good for you. |
Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 373
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
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You need to clarify what applications you use at the office. Microsoft makes Office for Mac, and Excel, Word and Powerpoint are fully interchangeable, but not ALL files are. For example, I use Autocad in the office, and there is no Autocad for the Mac.
That said, it IS now possible to install Windows XP on a new Mac and have both OS's, but I don't suggest that's the way to go. The current iMac, MacBook and MacBookPro Models all now use Intel processors, so it's possible, and Apple has released a program called BootCamp that lets you easily set up a partition for a Windows installation, giving you the option of booting into Windows *OR* Mac. Another company sells an application that allows Windows to run at the same time as the Mac OS, but I'm guessing you would need a LOT of ram for that to work well.
Apple's other desktop machines are being changed over to Intel, but that won't be completed until the end of the year.
I just bought a MacBookPro, replacing my Mac Powerbook, and I love the thing.
Is Office enough or do you have other Apps you need to work on at home?
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Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 38
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 8:17 am: |
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The Microsoft Office for Mac sounds like it would be enough for work. I want to keep things as simple as possible, so having the ability to run two different OS is an option that is lower on the list but a useful consideration.
I am also considering the a Mac desktop. Getting both a desktop and laptop may be overkill but I am keeping an open mind.
Thanks for all the useful information.
I had also heard that Apple does not have problems with viruses. How true is that?
Also, is there any WOW software to consider too?
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Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 380
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 12:32 pm: |
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You mention you work with photos..
Apple's iLife comes with their computers, contains some great Apps..
iTunes
iPhoto
iMovie
iDVD
GarageBand
All are very good. I use iPhoto all the time, easy to organize digital photos, easy to resize for printing, export, easy to do basic editing.
I like iMovie a lot, and iDVD for making videos, both are very cool
I'm just getting into GarageBand. It allows you to record voices, instruments, add tracks, etc. Lots of live and synthesized stuff built in.
My daughter and my son each have iMacs, they come with built-in webcams, as do their laptops, which makes video-conferencing easy and fun. Plus, we get to "see" our 18 month old grandson more often that way.
Oh, yeah, there are no Mac viruses out there, doesn't mean there won't be one day, but so far so good. |
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 40
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:17 am: |
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Thanks for all the great info...
I will let you know what I end up getting |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 468
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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Well this isn't the "fun" answer but...
ANY new machine will run "cleaner" as will your existing machine if you were to wipe it out and reinstall the OS. And any machine which is not properly maintained will eventually turn sluggish as it gets bogged down with spyware, adware, and even the intentional doodads you add.
Buying a new machine simply because you've allowed the old one to get cluttered up is kind of like buying a new house rather than doing a good spring cleaning. But if you've got the extra bucks on hand to be considering buying both a laptop AND a desktop then I suppose money isn't the issue for you so go ahead and get a new toy or two, by all accounts the Macs are great fun and quite satisfying.
However, please be aware that while it is true that there are far fewer viruses aimed and Macs, "There are no Mac viruses out there" is not a true statement. Here's information about one that was first identified earlier this year, which sounds pretty destructive.
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/osxleapa.html
Protect yourself from viruses and spyware no matter what you end up buying. And back up your computer regularly. At least your important files... though I would highly recommend Norton Ghost to create a complete image of your computer's OS build and installed applications.
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Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 4205
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 2:42 pm: |
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OSX/Leap-A, also known as OSX/Oomp-A is not really that destructive, it's not a virus, nor a worm, maybe it can be considered a trojan, but it is malware.
It's not really that much of a concern, and it wasn't when it first came out either, but some makers of anti-malware utilities amp up the response to these things (sells more product), Norton even admitted to doing this recently.
Lets also not forget those Windows pundits who jump on anything that may make them feel better about their choice to run M$.
You cannot be infected by this unless you do all of the following:
1) Are somehow sent (via email, iChat, etc.) or download the "latestpics.tgz" file
2) Double-click on the file to decompress it
3) Double-click on the resulting file to "open" it, and if you are not running as admin then it hardly does anything.
You can't simply "catch" this so called virus. Even if someone does send you the file, you can't be infected unless you unarchive the file, and then open it.
You have to running as admin to do that, and as we all know, you shouldn't be running as admin unless you need to be, run as a standard user.
If I were to try opening an image, and was asked to enter my admin password by said image, then I would know that it is not just an image, why would an image need to run something, not to mention need my password.
this is what it does,
Once uncompressed, the malware is shown with the icon of an image file, however it is actually an application. When run, it does the following:
Creates a copy of itself in /tmp, ready to be transmitted at a later time.
Creates an "apphook" in either /Library/InputManagers/ or ~/Library/InputManagers/, so that when an application is launched the "apphook" is loaded and can inject its code into the application.
Infected applications will then attempt to send the "latestpics.tgz" file to people on the user's iChat buddy list. The propagated file must be run manually by the user on the other end, it does not run automatically.
It then uses Spotlight to infect the 4 most recently used applications not owned by root.
When these applications are run, the malware code is executed and it tries to spread itself further.
Due to a bug in the program's code, infected applications will not run their original code.
It's actually kind of laughable, it's more or less a proof of concept that a few brave souls ran to see what would happen. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 15142
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:12 pm: |
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There must be malware out there for MacOS, but it seems that there is about one thousandth of the amount there is for Windows, and I'm being generous. It might be one ten thousandth. I'm not kidding. You could only site one piece, and it isn't that much of a threat.
I'm aware of how viruses etc can creep into unix and unix-like systems. It can be done. Lately, it isn't being done. The art of creating malware for Windows is very well advanced. If malware is a significant concern, a Mac will most definitely mitigate the risk and aggravation.
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HKing
Citizen
Username: Hking
Post Number: 31
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 8:41 pm: |
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LOVE my G4 PowerBook. Yes, it's aged a few years now but I still feel the same way about it now as I did the day it arrived.
We ordered from Macmall (www.macmall.com) b/c they threw in some extras and some of the upgrades we wanted were less expensive there. I think base price is same everywhere -- it's the rebates & stuff included the allows you to get a better deal at some places.
I use all of the iLife stuff. I use all Microsoft Office products (and sometimes work on stuff created on work PC (Windows XP).
I would NOT at all recommend running a windows OS. We installed virtual PC and all that crap b/c we are big fans of Quicken and the version for Mac completely sucks. In fact based on our research we found there were no good personal finance applications out there for Mac. I found using the whole virtual windows PC thing just slowed everything down and added an element of instability that is unheard of for a Mac. We ended up getting a second windows laptop so that we can do Quicken, and not fight over who gets to use the wifi/laptop. Except for Quicken, I prefer using the Mac overall.
Sleep function on my powerbook is great. He goes to sleep when not being used and wakes up very quickly when I touch the keys. My husbands Acer takes like 10 minutes to come back. It's actually quicker to reboot than to bring it out of "sleep" mode.
Macs rule. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 4211
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 9:25 pm: |
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the newer Quicken versions work pretty well on the Mac.
With the new Intel Macs running windows is so much different than using VPC, that totally sucked. |
HKing
Citizen
Username: Hking
Post Number: 32
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 5:18 pm: |
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Monster, you've renewed my hope to have an all-apple shop here at home. :-) |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 4239
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 9:09 pm: |
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Go For it! |
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 43
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 10:24 pm: |
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Tom: Yes I need less risk and aggravation.
HKing: Thanks
Monster: Huh?
wnb: You have given me the answer, well one of them, that I have been looking for. Although it is true that this one has become "bogged down," I am constantly checking for spyware, adware, viruses, defragging etc... and it still seems bogged down. I admit most is likely my fault.
I have also already started with a new version of windows on this PC and it is upgraded as far as it can go without professional help. And there are things I have paid for (software) on this PC that I do not want to lose. So, I am in the process of removing my favorite things onto cd so I can transfer them to a different computer.
Am am considering a Apple because it's as if I'm going back to my roots. The family used to have an Apple 2c way back when. Since I would like to have a laptop for work and vacations etc... I thought I would consider something different.
I also have been doing some research myself and have discovered that there are Mac viruses. But I am glad you gave me that great info too.
Last house was dirty so I sold it and moved to Maplewood. How did you know?
As far as getting both a laptop and a desktop. "My name is Elmer J. Fudd, Millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht." |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 4242
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 12:23 am: |
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Mac Viri are all proof of concept so far, more or less, you either have to execute the file yourself, or someone has to have access to your Mac to do it, now does that sound like anything remotely similar to what goes on in the pc world?
when I said go for it, I meant do it, buy Mac and don't turn back. |
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 44
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 8:17 am: |
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Monster: Thanks for the Viri expln. And I did know what you meant when you said,
"Go for it!"
So thanks. I believe I will.
If you know anyone who needs a messy mansion and yacht, I'll trade for new and clean lap/desktop. |
TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 93
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 8:25 am: |
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Linux is also a great experience. Many people are amazed at how well their machine runs when it has a linux install on it. Ubuntu seems pretty popular nowadays. http://www.ubuntu.com/
There are lots of other distributions which don't require the horsepower. If you want to experience where the OSX user interface came from you can also use GnuStep which runs fine on an older machine. A Pentium II 400 with 128 megs of RAM will get you going, more RAM makes the most difference, so if you have a slower CPU but a decent chunk of RAM (Say 512 Megs) your cooking with gas.
--Tarp |
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 46
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 8:29 am: |
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Thanks Tarp... I'll check it out. |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 582
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 8:37 am: |
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A great way to preview linux (like Ubuntu) is to download a "LiveCD". You simply boot off the cd and it loads up linux as your OS without writing anything to your ard drive or disturbing your existing set up in any way.
You can download the LiveCD for free and just burn it to CD. There are PC and Mac versions of the CD. |
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 48
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 8:50 am: |
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TomD: Thanks. How do I try out this "LiveCD"?
Is it on the website? |
TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 99
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 8:31 am: |
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LiveCD's rock. You do need a program that will burn an ISO image on your PC but most cdburning programs have that option. The image file is normally 600~700 megs in size, so they do take a little while to download, but they are free.
Knoppix is really quite good:
http://www.knoppix.org/
I can burn you a CD if you want, just drop me a PL.
--Tarp |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 589
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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Ununtu will even (for free) ship you a Live CD or you can download it and burn yourself, http://www.ubuntu.com/. |
Cis4Cookie
Citizen
Username: Cis4cookie
Post Number: 55
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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Tarp&TomD: Thanks I am going to try that out. |
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