Apple Conputers

malcumms7898

Apple computers are a bit different to use so if you have got used to using a Windows computer you might find it very confusing to switch to Apple. I wouldn't say Apple is necessarily better, there are lots of things you can do on a Windows comp you can't on an Apple. Most malware and viruses are aimed at Windows (simply because they are the most commonly used computers), but as others have pointed out, expect much more malware to be directed at Apple as more people start using those computers.

One thing to consider is that Windows has had to put up with malware for many years and it has got pretty good at sorting out the problems, and fixing security holes etc. There is no reason why a Windows PC should ever become infected, so long as you use a good anti-virus, stay away from certain websites, and have a bit of common sense about what you are downloading / clicking on.

By comparison, there are many security flaws in Apple OS X that were sorted in Windows years ago, but to date there has been no reason for Apple to do anything about it. What I mean is, as Apple computers become a bigger target for malware and scams, Apple computers will be extremely more vulnerable than a Windows PC.

fishybusiness

I've owned both, and they are just as good these days. Windows is pretty solid, OSX is too.

Hardware in both again is pretty solid too.

Bottom line, if you fancy an Apple you will pay more for it, probably keep it for a similar length of time as a Windows PC, and in most cases an Apple will have a better resale value, so you don't really lose out.

littleowl

This is the sort of question which frequently starts an acrimonious PC versus Mac battle. I have no wish to do that but would just say that, after using a PC for 15 or more years, I changed to Mac four years ago and found that, once I got used to the very different way OSX works, the ease of use, the robust nature of the hardware and the sheer elegant ways in which Apple manage their product is far superior to even a high-end PC.

I have had off the shelf PCs, specially built systems and a very expensive Sony Vaio laptop. When the talk gets around to expense I would say the latter cost me as much as my first iMac.

I have not yet found the need for anti-virus software - however, should things change I would not be averse to using it.

Apple customer services are excellent too.

Mr_Toad

I own and use both.

Lum's summary is pretty good.

I will add something as you mentioned customer service.

I got an email from Apple two weeks ago telling me that my iMa had been identified as containing a 1TB Disk drive that was part of a batch that had a higher than average failure rate. If I would contact my nearest Apple store or approved service agent they would arrange for the disk to be replaced free of charge. That's never happened with any other brand I've ever owned, they all operate a wait until it dies then fix it if it's still under warranty policy.

I dropped my iMac off last Wednesday and collected it the following day.

I wasn't having any issues and it may or may not have failed but it was nice to get it fixed without having to find out.

Macs are vulnerable but as Lum points out it's a numbers game and 99% of the virus and malware writers target the larger Windows market.

There was a Mac malware attack earlier this year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422

I like mine for a number of reasons not least because in my day job as an Oracle Database Admin most of the database servers run Linux and the Mac OS X is just another *nix OS which I know well.

I find it a lot better than most of the Linux distros I've used but I suppose that is because it's a commercial, paid for, OS rather than a free one designed by committee and as such needs far less user input to get it right.

At the end of the day you should choose the computer that is right for you and does what you want and not what other people tell you buy based on their criteria.

Make a list of what you need and base your choice on that.

Mr_Toad

littleowl wrote: »

I have not yet found the need for anti-virus software - however, should things change I would not be averse to using it.

Apple customer services are excellent too.

Please get some AV software, Sophos is free and works just fine.

While your Mac is less at risk the AV will still detect and neutralise any Windows virus that you might get in an email before you pass it on to another Windows user.

bod1467

Just noticed the typo (?) in the thread title. Some may argue that this is not a typo.

Lum

sam959 wrote: »

Thats rubbish MAC are not vulnerable! I have never had a problem with mine!!

Most malware these days does not cause any visible problems.

Long gone are the days when malware was written by bored kids wanting to make something impressive or destructive that would damage your operating system. the "good" old days of people writing a virus that will noisily format you hard drive on Friday 13th are long gone.

These days malware is written by career criminals who want to steal your passwords, bank details etc. If they actually write their malware well you will not have any problems as it will sit quietly in the background efficiently stealing your data and pass it it on to it's masters, or maybe participating in a DDoS attack on someone who it's master dislikes.

I think it's fair to say that, on average, Mac users tend to have higher disposable income, so expect some enterprising criminal to start specifically targetting macs in order to get at that.

And as others have said, email phishing scams, the ones that try to trick you into visiting a fake version of your bank's website etc. are abundant and affect both machines equally as they rely on you simply not paying attention one day and being dumb enough to click the link.

You're going to want security software whether you go for Windows or Mac.

Lum

notanewuser wrote: »

No, but Sony/asus/HP etc don't make macs, do they?

I've had an IBM (now Lenovo) ThinkPad last 10 years, despite being dropped and generally abused. It only finally died when the cat puked on the keyboard while we were out and frankly neither of us could face cleaning it out and obtaining a replacement keyboard.

With Windows machines, I'd go for Asus or Lenovo if I was looking for build quality. I'd be very careful with Dell (their business machines are pretty decent, their consumer ones tend to be rather flimsy) and I'd steer well clear of Acer.

I actually have a PCSpecialist laptop, it's really a re-badged Clevo, the build quality is decent enough and for the price I paid the spec is amazing. The support from that company can't compete with Apple though.

bod1467

I have similar, except mine is from Cyber Power Systems.

grizzly1911

Lum wrote: »

I've had an IBM (now Lenovo) ThinkPad last 10 years, despite being dropped and generally abused. It only finally died when the cat puked on the keyboard while we were out and frankly neither of us could face cleaning it out and obtaining a replacement keyboard.

With Windows machines, I'd go for Asus or Lenovo if I was looking for build quality. I'd be very careful with Dell (their business machines are pretty decent, their consumer ones tend to be rather flimsy) and I'd steer well clear of Acer.

I actually have a PCSpecialist laptop, it's really a re-badged Clevo, the build quality is decent enough and for the price I paid the spec is amazing. The support from that company can't compete with Apple though.

The original thinkpads were built like tanks and so simple to open up.

Do you have any experience of Toshiba? Their business ones always used to be robust. Son has a current satellite with an i3 processor that seems to be doing pretty well.

Both Dell and Lenovo, in the smaller sizes, have always been pretty robust work machines IME as long as not physically abused.