Should I Buy A Mac?

[alaska511]

I love my VAIO, but the latest virus battle has me pissed! People keep saying I should get a MAC. Why are they less prone to virus' ?

[geektoad]

I love my VAIO, but the latest virus battle has me pissed! People keep saying I should get a MAC. Why are they less prone to virus' ?

 

Without getting into technical details of the underpinnings of OS X vs. Windows, here's huge reason why they're less vulnerable:

 

Windows PCs make up about 93% of the market. Macs are around 6%. That makes the Mac platform not worth the time of the virus writers. They'd rather target the market that's going to give them the largest return on their time.

[alaska511]

I love my VAIO, but the latest virus battle has me pissed! People keep saying I should get a MAC. Why are they less prone to virus' ?

 

Without getting into technical details of the underpinnings of OS X vs. Windows, here's huge reason why they're less vulnerable:

 

Windows PCs make up about 93% of the market. Macs are around 6%. That makes the Mac platform not worth the time of the virus writers. They'd rather target the market that's going to give them the largest return on their time.

 

 

 

That makes sense.

What about compatibilty with wireless routers, etc. Would I have to buy all MAC stuff? I have the house recently upgraded, and have 2-3 other PCs, and 3 game consoles running off of an N1 router...

[Schmids5.3l]

They'd rather target the market that's going to give them the largest return on their time.

 

Excuse me for being a noob, but what return?

[geektoad]

I love my VAIO, but the latest virus battle has me pissed! People keep saying I should get a MAC. Why are they less prone to virus' ?

 

Without getting into technical details of the underpinnings of OS X vs. Windows, here's huge reason why they're less vulnerable:

 

Windows PCs make up about 93% of the market. Macs are around 6%. That makes the Mac platform not worth the time of the virus writers. They'd rather target the market that's going to give them the largest return on their time.

 

 

 

That makes sense.

What about compatibilty with wireless routers, etc. Would I have to buy all MAC stuff? I have the house recently upgraded, and have 2-3 other PCs, and 3 game consoles running off of an N1 router...

 

 

Fully compatible. Those are networking standards that all manufacturers have to comply with. I use my macs in different offices and datacenters all over the country.

 

 

They'd rather target the market that's going to give them the largest return on their time.

 

Excuse me for being a noob, but what return?

 

 

The largest return is compromised PCs added to their 'bot nets.

To a lesser extent, the unsecured info on your system (email addresses in your address book they can add to lists to sell, ip addresses of systems you've visited that they can try to exploit)

and to a lesser extent still, the return can just be the destruction of taking your computer offline. The more computers a virus can run on, the higher the amount of damage, etc. This is more the "thrill seeker/script kiddie" type. The other two are people looking to make money at what they are doing.

[alaska511]

I may look into it, see what the software bundles include, compatibitly with Word/Excel docs, etc

[geektoad]

I may look into it, see what the software bundles include, compatibitly with Word/Excel docs, etc

 

Microsoft Office is available for Mac OS X. The file compatibility is damn near 100%

[tobias]

I may look into it, see what the software bundles include, compatibitly with Word/Excel docs, etc

 

Office 2008 for Mac has Word, Excel and Powerpoint (Entourage too) with open XML functionality so you'll be able to work with any standard Office file sent to you. $130 will get you what you need. http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/Offi...8/shop-now.mspx

 

You can also install a copy of Windows on your machine if there's just something you can't do without.

 

DIT: Damnit, Karl. I guess that's what I get for being long-winded? I did give him a link though!

[alaska511]

Thanks guys!

This one is pretty sexy : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1203815206480

 

Actually has the same processor as my Sony! I had no idea!

 

If AVG doesn't work miracles in the next hour, I may be a new owner. I am an impulse buyer...you probably didn't know that about me

[VMax2007]

You guys with all the laptops.....anyone got one they can spare? I really need a laptop but don't feel like dropping a ton of dough on one. I don't care how "good" it is, I just need one that works. puhleeeze?

[alaska511]

You guys with all the laptops.....anyone got one they can spare? I really need a laptop but don't feel like dropping a ton of dough on one. I don't care how "good" it is, I just need one that works. puhleeeze?

 

 

Make ya a good deal on a slightly used Sony VGN-280

 

I just got rid of 2 Dells, shit, if I had know you wanted a used one. I have one Compaq left, but damn Jeff I think it will be too slow for you. It's like a Pentum 667 mhz I think ?? Running Windows '98 and might have a whopping 128 megs of ram

[VMax2007]

You guys with all the laptops.....anyone got one they can spare? I really need a laptop but don't feel like dropping a ton of dough on one. I don't care how "good" it is, I just need one that works. puhleeeze?

 

 

Make ya a good deal on a slightly used Sony VGN-280

 

I just got rid of 2 Dells, shit, if I had know you wanted a used one. I have one Compaq left, but damn Jeff I think it will be too slow for you. It's like a Pentum 667 mhz I think ?? Running Windows '98 and might have a whopping 128 megs of ram

 

 

Send me the Sony. I'll take it. I am sure I can find someone to clean it up.

 

I'll trade ya a nice chrome bug shield for it.

 

I'll pass on the relic though.

[tobias]

Thanks guys!

This one is pretty sexy : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1203815206480

 

Actually has the same processor as my Sony! I had no idea!

 

If AVG doesn't work miracles in the next hour, I may be a new owner. I am an impulse buyer...you probably didn't know that about me

 

That's a nice machine. Real men roll 17's though!

[tobias]

You guys with all the laptops.....anyone got one they can spare? I really need a laptop but don't feel like dropping a ton of dough on one. I don't care how "good" it is, I just need one that works. puhleeeze?

 

How much are you willing to spend, ya cheap bastard? You show us a $35K boat and then balk on a $1000 laptop that will be one of the most important things in your life. (See post count)

[tobias]

Scott, you might also look at the apple.com store section at the refurbs. Same warranty, sometimes better prices.