I see all these black friday ads for cheap hp laptops but I want to hold out until I can buy a mac. I want a laptop for school I have a pc at home that I mostly use. Which should I get? Does the mac already come with windows or do you have to pay separate for that? I also heard macs never get viruses or crash is this true? Thanks for your help.
Save for the Mac. Higher price tag, yes – but lower cost over the duration of the computer’s life time. Or buy cheap – get cheap with the HP.
When someone complains about the "one button mouse" that Macs have, what they are really saying is that they are completely clueless about Macs and you shouldn’t pay attention to anything they say about Macs.
Macs have had two buttons (or more) for over 5 years. Of course, unlike the other system, they don’t need them, so who cares?
The viruses for the Mac are not system viruses, but application trojans. They number 8 while the system viruses for Windows number over 140,000 with an average of 1.4 new uses discovered each day. As a bonus, there are not Mac viruses that can send you to jail. See link below.
hmm macs have pretty good features, the only thing bad about t is pretty much the 1 button mouse. however hps are usually more durable. I would personally go with the hp, but if you dont like it take it back for the mac
No Mac comes with Microsoft Windows. Every Mac comes with Mac OS X as an operating system. Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X are not compatible, meaning that you cannot use any software which is intended for Microsoft Windows on a Mac and the other way around. Seeing your question, you are not aware of this and therefore I would advise against purchasing a Mac. You can install Microsoft Windows next to Mac OS X on a Mac, but this is not advised. A Mac running Mac OS X is very stable and fast. A Mac running Microsoft Windows is simply a very expensive computer and for the same money, you could have purchased a much better normal computer with Microsoft Windows. Mac OS X is less vulnerable for viruses and because Apple create both the Mac as well as Mac OS X, the system runs very stable. Microsoft Windows on a Mac will be just as stable as it would be on a normal computer and it will just be as vulnerable to viruses as a normal computer would be. If you purchase a Mac, use Mac OS X. If you want Microsoft Windows, purchase a normal computer instead, which would be more value for money than a Mac in this case.
although it may be true that macs don’t get virus or hassle you about security updates every single damn second, i would go with the hp. When it comes to word, windows, internet, you know stuff you’ll actually need to use, you can’t top hp or pc. macs are just too complicated. we had an english lab at my old college with only mac computers and they we’re very annoying to use.
fo with the hp
"I also heard macs never get viruses or crash is this true?"
ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. The "mac kiddies" who claim this have NO idea what they’re talking about.
I would choose hp or Toshiba not MAC you will feel bad with mac. My FRIEND HAS some of my friends have MAC and they always complain about MAC they say that it freezes when you open like 5 files at the same time and then you have to sut it down other than that MAC is really good if you are using it for educational purposes.
Mac= LESS viruses than PCs, more durable, multi touch trackpad, better support, cheaper software, can run windows, handles ram more efficiently. A 2GB mac can edit and upload pics and vids faster than a pc with 4GB ram, you can’t get something bad with a mac
PC (HP over Mac, but Asus or http://www.powernotebooks.com [top quality] over HP). You have to pay extra for Windows. Macs can get viruses and crash
PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..
Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn’t as secure as you think..
Don’t believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.
A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,
If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.
Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?
I say: NO… for the following reasons…
SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
Please Note: All OS’s have vulnerabilities.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml
QUALITY/PROBLEMS
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.
Sample of problems: Deleting your Data (Snow Leopard), Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=5006
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/
http://www.appledefects.com/
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html
http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/reliable-laptops.jpg
Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.
VIRUSES
Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".
http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005
http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/
ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don’t have a legitimate copy of Windows.
2) Supports more devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
3) More business software/games
4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
5) Used by businesses.
ADVANTAGES LINUX :
1) FREE (most versions are)
2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Fbk52Mk1w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0hzi22g2DE
4) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)
Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm
PRICE
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)
**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop Price Starting: $550 Ending Opt A: $854 Ending Opt B: $954
15" Screen (SAME)
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: OPT A: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (WORSE) Benchmark: 1243 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Graphics-Media-Accelerator-4500MHD-GMA-X4500MHD.9883.0.html
OPT B: 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 (BETTER) Benchmark: 4969 http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4330.13973.0.html
Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)
CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW
Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)
Battery Life: (upgrade to) up to 8 hours (BETTER)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWZA3&s=dhs&fb=1
Macbook Pro Price Starting: $1700 Ending Opt A: $1850
15" Screen (SAME)
CPU: 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics Benchmark: 3263 http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9400M-G.11949.0.html
Memory: 4GB 1033GHZ DDR3 SDRAM (SAME)
CD DRIVE: 8X CD/DVD-RW
Hard Drive: (upgrade to) 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SAME)
Battery Life: up to 7 hours (WORSE)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC118LL/A?mco=MTM3NDcyODk
**(DESKTOP)
PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac’s vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don’t think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.
PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple’s low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.
Dell XPS8000: ($1018)
CPU: I-7 2.8GHZ (SUPERIOR ) RANK 12= http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7+860+%40+2.80GHz
SCREEN: (Upgrade to) 21.5inch Screen
MEMORY: 6GB Ram DDR3 Dual Channel 1033GHZ (MORE)
HARD DRIVE: 640 GB (LARGER, FASTER)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer (FASTER)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon 4350HD 512MB (SUPERIOR)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxdzkv1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&m_2=SXI7860&mo=2~SXI7860&kc=studio-xps-8000
The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal… The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.
IMac ($1200)
CPU: 3.06 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (MUCH SLOWER) http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8435+%40+3.06GHz
SCREEN: 21.5inch Screen
MEMORY: 4GB Ram (LESS)
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive (SMALLER, SLOWER)
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer
GRAPHICS: Nvidia Geforce 9400M (WORSE)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB950LL/A?mco=MTM3NDc2NDc
ILife Equivalents
http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518
FREE Windows Stuff
http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html
http://www.iobit.com/
http://www.ccleaner.com/
ANTI-VIRUS
Avira Antivir (FREE) rated best detection/2009 (Free version=no realtime protection) and here http://www.freewaregenius.com/2009/04/07/the-best-free-antivirus-a-comparison/
http://www.free-av.com/
Avast (Free- Click under Free Software and download Avast Home Edition) http://www.avast.com/
ANTI-MALWARE
Malware Bytes-(Free version=no realtime protection).
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol
Super Anti-Spyware (FREE)
http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol
LINUX INFO:
http://distrowatch.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
http://www.desktoplinux.com/
http://polishlinux.org/
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mac