Since they run on unix there is MASSES of software, lots of it open source and free. You don’t get spyware and viruses to turn your computer into a slug. I’d go without rather than get a PC laptop.
Unimaginative Pseudonym
While UNIX has more robust security regarding file access and network matters, Macs are quite vulnerable to spyware and malware. And now that they’ve made the jump to 86 chips, it’s only a matter of time before they’re specifically targeted.
Additionally, you seem fond of the fiction that PCs constantly get infected with such things. That is likewise untrue. I’ve used PCs since about 1988, and I’ve never once had a virus or spyware. Sorry to burst your bubble.
I work in IT in a BIG company supporting Macs and PCs, equal numbers of each at my location. Spyware and viruses are a REGULAR and time consuming problem even behind a massive corporate firewall. The Macs? Never ONE SINGLE problem.
Sorry but your personal experiences are like the person who insists that since their grandfather smoked a pack a day and lived to 90, smoking can’t be bad for your health.
And when was the last time a virus targets a chip instruction set rather than an OS?
Unimaginative Pseudonym
I was IT support at a university for about two years, putting out fires every single day for an entire campus. So I like to think I have experience enough to judge such things.
Do PCs get viruses and spyware? Yep, they sure do. But it’s more than an exaggeration to claim that PCs are nearly as riddled by such things as you claim. If they were, no one would use them. Period. IT deptartments would never buy them, no matter what deals MS or Dell offered them. With minimal preemptive effort, viruses and spyware are no big deal
Additionally, it might interest you to know that Macs often gave us as much trouble as PCs. They crash, and depending on what’s on and in them, they can crash more than PCs.
As I said, though, Macs are more robust in many ways, but we both know that is partly (and arguably mostly) because they aren’t being targeted. That’s going to change both because of the Intel move and with rising popularity. It’s just a fact.
17+ years as a support tech at a wide variety of companies and a couple of universities.
Sure Macs crash, they’re computers, ALL computers crash.
Why there are no Mac viruses is an interesting thing to argue about but for someone buying a personal system the more important fact is, there are no viruses for Mac OS X and there are thousands upon thousands for Windows. There’s no reason to get freaked out about Intel because viruses target the OS not the specific chip set and OS X has been able to run on Intel since version 10.0
If the Mac OS ever seriously challenged Windows then virus writers would take more of an interest, but do you think that’s going to happen? I don’t. No, Linux has got to be the greater threat to the M$ empire but I wouldn’t recommend that because unless you’re a bit of a geek it would be too tricky and if you are a bit of a geek you’re not going to be asking the question ;o)
ComicMedal wants to drink less alcohol
be a vegetarian for a week
stop being lazy
get up on time
Learn to cook
Do NaNoWriMo
play sims online
learn to pick a lock
Let go of the past
Design and build my own house
KatyLove wants to Grow in Christ
be a good daughter
go green
grow my own vegetables
Learn to play keyboard
run with the bulls in Pamplona
stop eating fast food
learn fencing
learn to sail a sailboat
do yoga
visit every MLB stadium
See Pearl Jam live
