Question:
pcs? my dad is thinking of getting a mac as he says that they dont get any viruses. is this definitely the case? how easy is it to use a mac? thanking you in advance.
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It is harder for a mac to get viruses and spyware. But I just confirmed from this site that they are not immune to viruses, but the viruses on a Mac are in limited supply. I also found this website with a link to a program searching for Spyware on a Mac. Again, it is harder for a Mac to get spyware, because most spyware creators target PCs through ActiveX etc.
A Mac is easier to learn and to use, but you can't do everything on it that you might be able to do on a PC. The other problem is that it is hard to fix the hardware if something fails, because it is specially designed for the Mac. (You would have to take it to a Mac repair centre or Apple themselves)
Most Macs don't have a Floppy Disk drive either, only a CD Drive (you usually have to purchase the Floppy Disk drive as an extra)
In my opinion, Macs are designed to look pretty and they are easy to use. However, people who are familiar with the Windows OS (me!) will find that Macs can't do what we want them to do. But, if it is a case of having to learn how to use it, definately go for a Mac!
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Yep! The reason why there is so little viruses and spyware is because such a small % of people use them. People always say microsoft is bad at making their software, but really, they are just as good as the people who build macs. It's just they're targeted more because of so many many people use their stuff!!
But a mac is very good at doing it's video, picture and sound editing, so if you're dad does like that, then maybe he should still consider a mac. Also their systems can handle much more hardware than a normal PC. One mac I saw the other day could hold a 1.2 Terabyte and 16GB RAM! Bit crazy huh..
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Its not true that mac's don't get viruses. Mac viruses DO exist, and perhaps the most common are the office macros. There are much less viruses for os x, compared to windows however. So at the moment you could consider them COMPARED TO WINDOWS, more secure. However, Linux or BSD is even better.
I think its very complacent to avoid security software (antivirus, decent firewall etc) for mac, simply based on apple marketing that their operating system is fine without it.
Of course, OS X does suffer from similar security issues as windows does... such as buffer overflow problems (which are potentially far more destructive on mac than in windows, because OS X is a Unix-based operating system and root shells are just so powerful). Unix is ONLY more secure when it is secured correctly and the software for it is written properly, and apple have shown no evidence of that given their security updates!
All this combined with the fact apple are expected to move to Intel processors next year, could mean trouble. The current PowerPC processors seem to have kept apple relatively safe... but there are so many Intel assembly programmers out there it makes me wonder whats going to happen, as its going to make programming viruses much much easier.
I guess fewer mac users also helps, but when you consider over the last 18 months the number of mac users has increased by a third, it seems only a matter of time. So many macs are connected to windows networks now too...
Mac users are an unusual bunch... they like to believe the apple hype rather than see the facts for what they are.
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I have been using Macs now for about 10 years and I'm on my fourth - not because they went wrong, just because there was a newer, better version.
I have only once had a virus problem and it only caused minor inconveniece. It was nowhere as serious as those that affect PCs.
I have occasion to use a PC for a volunteer task that I do and I hate the thing. I wouldn't swap my Mac for anything.
My son bought an iMac about three years ago and is just about to change it for a new model - another very satisfied customer.
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I have used Mac for about 5 years with anti-virus software and have never found a virus yet. But they do exist!
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The main reason Macs aren't as prone to viruses as PC's is because Apple is generally respected - unlike Microsoft. Hackers/Virus Writers target Microsoft because they believe they produce sub-standard, non-inventive software. The same can't be said for Apple.
Also, Mac OSX is built on the Unix framework, which is about as secure as you're ever likely to get.
Switching can take a bit of patience, but in my opinion it's very much worth it.
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The main reason Macs aren't as prone to viruses as PC's is because Apple is generally respected - unlike Microsoft. Hackers/Virus Writers target Microsoft because they believe they produce sub-standard, non-inventive software. The same can't be said for Apple.
Also, Mac OSX is built on the Unix framework, which is about as secure as you're ever likely to get.
Switching can take a bit of patience, but in my opinion it's very much worth it.
I honestly don't reckon that virus developers avoid Macs out of respect, they avoid them because they're not nearly as numerous as Windows and, as such, they won't be able to cause as much havoc with them.
Macs are great for graphics work, etc., (I use one at work) but at home I have a pc, simply because there's more available for them in terms of hardware and software, and nowadays you get a fair few more bangs for your buck with a pc.
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I honestly don't reckon that virus developers avoid Macs out of respect, they avoid them because they're not nearly as numerous as Windows and, as such, they won't be able to cause as much havoc with them.
Macs are great for graphics work, etc., (I use one a work) but at home I have a pc, simply because there's more available for them in terms of hardware and software, and nowadays you get a fair few more bangs for your buck with a pc.
No, I'm not saying that is entirely the reason, but I do believe it's part of it. I'm sure the situation would change if Apple became the dominant provider. Microsoft have a tendancy to work to the 'ship first, fix later' - and thats why they get targeted more. They also tend to 'copy' others - look at the 'gadgets' for example that are coming with Vista.
I can't deny that you get more 'bang for your buck' with a PC. I own a Dell laptop running XP, a Desktop running Ubuntu, a Mac Mini and a Powerbook. I can say completely however that you get what you pay for in terms of Apple stuff - it just works. I can do stuff on the macs knowing it isn't going to cause me a problem.
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As somone said, a Unix system is only secure if configured correctly.
And apple aren't all that respected.
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And apple aren't all that respected.
When you compare them to Microsoft they are
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i have got a java vurii (trojan) on my mac,.. but the firewall blocked it,.
i can do more with my mac then my pc (playin mp3,. encoding mpeg etc etc)
G4>1.2ghz>256ram> g4 mac Note my mac's only got 256ram
Then my
p4 > 2.5gz >512ram, pc,.. my pc will and has crash when trying too do the same multitask
get a mac its a nice change
Edited the Typos
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I got a windows XP pc, and a mac. I prefer the mac... don't know why, I just do. But, I rekon anyone could get on with either to be honest.
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There are mac viruses out there. BUT I started off with a mac, then switched to a PC. It is no exaggeration when I say that I did not know what a computer virus was till I got a PC.
Another advantage with macs is that they don't go wrong nearly so often, and they seldom crash. They are easier to use than PCs, and I always thought that the windows system looked really tacky by comparison.
Some macs though have not a great deal of ram space, and this shows up when you are online and things start to slow down. You then have to restart the thing so as to empty the ram.
Nothing else wrong with macs: they're good machines. I'll certainly buy another when the time comes.
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ill just add,.. i really advise getting a User guide for Max os X Tiger (or which ever op system ur going to be running) ebook etc... as ur going too need to know how too do stuff,.. this might sound wierd but,. i didnt know how too take a screen shot on a mac (by the way ..u use the Grap program) the major 1s thing on the mac is when u run a program its just in a box (free) but the options for that program are by the Apple sign on the top of the screen... a PC user wouldnt spot this at 1st and its kinda confusing
..and i read up on alot of little tips & tricks,.. the Guide will save u from going crazy,.. and if u buy a none-mac keyboard layout,.. this might course more problems,..
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I don't really want to start this whole virus thing again but, there are at the moment no virus which affects OS X. There are some which affect Classic (OS9 and previous) but none which affect OS X.
Justpaper - to take a screen shot on the mac use Apple-shift-3. To select which area of the screen to grab use Apple-shift-4. I don't understand this though
"the major 1s thing on the mac is when u run a program its just in a box (free) but the options for that program are by the Apple sign on the top of the screen..."
Can you explain further please.
BTW Apple has a huge number of help files built in or on the support site at Apple so really should notneed to buy any books unless like some folk you want some paper.
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Justpaper - to take a screen shot on the mac use Apple-shift-3. To select which area of the screen to grab use Apple-shift-4. I don't understand this though
"the major 1s thing on the mac is when u run a program its just in a box (free) but the options for that program are by the Apple sign on the top of the screen..."
Can you explain further please.
BTW Apple has a huge number of help files built in or on the support site at Apple so really should notneed to buy any books unless like some folk you want some paper.
i didnt have a mac keyboard at the time so the "Apple" key was all new too me,. working with mac fine now,.
as fot the "major" thing i stated above,.. i really dont know how to explain it,.
<< as u can see in that screen shot,. the program layout has a split from its "options menu" this did confuse me,.. where on the other hand as a pc user when running a program the options menu would be with the program,.. i.e no split,..
its not a problem im just pointing it out..
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justpaper
I understand what you mean now. Rather than 'take over' the whole screen (as it appears to do in windows), OSX apps run in a window and the menu options are dsiplayed on the menu bar next to the blue apple. This menu system alters when another app is running or when in the finder. It means the menu is always in exactly the same place regardless of where the application window is placed, unlike windows where the menu is built in to the application window.
Hope this helps.
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i have used both for years, GET A MAC!!
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Seconded unreservedly!