questions about buying first Apple/Mac

Hi, I'm thinking about getting my first Apple/Mac laptop. I've had one too many problems with adware/spyware etc., with my HP laptop. Is using the Apple/Mac system really a lot better in regards to less problems from spyware, viruses, etc.?

Do Imacs/Apple laptops use CoreDuo or Dual Core also? I'm looking for a basic, decent laptop in about the $1200 range or below.

Oh and what is the equivalent for Microsoft Word? I need to compose term-papers for school. Can I still use Msn messenger/ Yahoo messenger on a Mac?

Thanks, Greg

 

I'd like to say, linux also is very good about no viruses and spyware.
Check the specs here, they use core 2 duo processors. If you're intent on getting a macbook, I'd wait as suggested by others till atleast oct 14 when the rumored refreshes will be released. It's just a rumor though, only apple really knows.
About the other questions, I'm sure others can chime in on that as I really don't know.
Good luck.

 

While many debate if OS X is intrinsically more secure than Windows, no one can debate that OS X is at less risk of such things, of only by virtue of the fact that the vast majority of such things are written for Windows and simply won't work on a Mac. I won't run Windows without AV but I will run a MAC that way. Neither is completely immune and you always have to take care what sites you visit and what you click on on a site or in an email.

Mac's currently run on Core 2 Duo Chips.

Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac is available for about $125 for the Home and Student version. NeoOffice and OpenOffice are free and have reasonable WORD compatability. iWork also has reasonable Word import and Export compatibility.

 

Dual core means two cores in the processor, which Core Duo, Core 2 Duo currently offer. Intel's marketing has confused many consumers, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo is their name for their processors.

 

If you're buying used, stay away from the original Core Duo CPUs and get yourself a Core 2. Even the 667MHz bus versions will be much faster than the older Core (1) Duo chips and will run cooler too.

 

1. Yes, absolutely. I rarely even get a popup whilst browsing the internet. Let alone any *ware/viruses. They just don't exist for OS X. Not saying that will always be the case but more than likely for a long time it still will be.

2. Any Mac laptop you buy new in that range will be Core2Duo. You want a Macbook. I would wait a few weeks from all the tidbits flying around the internet.

3. Microsoft makes Office 2008 for Mac. You'll still pay a little more than you would for Apple's alternative, iWork, but iWork has some very nice abilities as far as how it works with the OS and other programs. It goes for 80 bucks and can export to all standard formats, like .DOC and .PDF.

Any other questions? I'm happy to answer.

 

Thanks for the replies. I guess what I'm wondering the most is what makes a Macbook better than a non-Apple/Macbook laptop? I mean are the Macbooks really better overall?

I was reading a buying guide article about Macbooks, and it points out that the pc/business world is dominated by Windows systems and Apple only is a fraction of that.

But you can still operate a Macbook on Windows systems, correct? Greg

 

Is it safe to say that two cores is two processors? Since that is, after all, what cores do? It even says 2 processors found when I boot up my OS (I have OS info to show, which can be done by enabling /SOS in msconfig xp or OS Info in Vista).

 

PC is the dominant os out there in the market. I can understand that businesses will mostly use windows, for excel, etc. As a graphic student I see most of graphic industry people prefer mac. It's all based on personal preference in my opinion.

You can't operate OSX on any hardware other than macs if that's your question. You can run windows xp+ on mac though.

 

I'm pretty sure core is a part of the processor. Basically they just split the processor up into two for better performance. So if you have 2 processors and both of them are dual core you'd have 4 cores.

 

No Im positive its a Core 2 Duo (dual core)...its a T9400 so it's not 4 cores in this machine.

 

Well the pc might display it as 2 processor because each core is technically a processor and can work by itself. So I guess in a way you can use the two term interchangeably, but it would get a little confusing when you talk about how many dual core processor you have.

 

Windows based PC's have the vast majority of the business market. A lot of that is their cost advantage, availability of a huge variety of compatible hardware and software, and centralized management and distribution capabilities. If you are planning on using a PC for work, check to see if your IT department supports MACs and if you can get all the software and/or hardware you will need to do your job.

Overall Apple has a 10%-15% PC market share. But for desktop PC's over $1000 they are closer to a 70% share and laptops over $1000, around 60%. So people purchasing "premium" PC's choose MACs the majority of the time over all other brands put together.

My experience is that I spend a lot more time using my MAC productively and a lot less time maintaining, troubleshooting, and dealing with issues than I did with a Windows based PC. MACs are definitely not perfect, but I have found them to be a lot less imperfect than Windows based PC's.

You just need to make sure you can get all the software, hardware, and support you may require. If you can a MAC can be a fine choice.

 

That is pretty much correct, the proper explanation should be there are two processor cores in this computer's Central Processing Unit .

 

LOL, Mac/PC doesn't matter. Internet pop-ups are platform independent. Your browser and/or firewall help prevent these. Not your OS.

However malicious code intended to compromise your computer is usually written for Windows, so in that regard yes, a Mac is better/safer.

 

Louongo the captain?!
What!

Anyway, Safari's and Firefox's pop-up blockers don't work too well unless the website is truly legitimate like MLB.com or ESPN.

 

I would just like to build off of what Sam was saying....

Dual/Multi Processors -> Two or more separate, independent CPUs (around anymore?)

Dual/Multi Core ->Two or more combined cores in one CPU

However, multi-core CPUs can be further broken down:

Type 1: X cores, on separate dies, in one CPU (sitting right next to each other)
Type 2: X cores on a single die, in one CPU

The trend is to get as many cores as you can on a single die, for performance and $$$ reasons.

An example of the differences:

When quad-core CPUs were first coming out they were of type 1. That is, two multi-core cpus of type 2 sitting right next to each other (confused yet? ) Newer quad-cores are of type 2, that is they are four cores squeezed onto a single die.

NOTE: A die is basically a semiconductor wafer the cores are "printed on".

 

I am curious as to your source.
(I am assuming you didn't poll all computer users yourself)
This is not a doubt-fest as much as information checking.

I wouldn't mind putting together a case as to why my IT department should support Macs.


Let me reiterate the point about checking with your workplace's (or school's)IT department if this is for work/school. At my company, Macs are pretty much unsupported. If you have any trouble, its your problem and the tech can shrug and say "It's a mac you are screwed" and walk away.

If this is for home, then all that matters is your personal preference and whatever support you can find for yourself. Often the biggest problem with a Mac isn't using it... it's finding a way to get it working again when it does fail.
(and macs DO fail and DO crash and definitely have compatibility issues) While a PC does do this slightly more often, there are also many options if it does. Also, PCs, since they are so common, are usually easier to make work with current networks and find support for even if they do not.

I cannot tell you how many co-workers have had to buy me beer to make their internet services work because no one in that services' employ knew the first thing about a mac! (and I am just a PC user who isn't afraid of a mac, not a hardcore mac user!)

 

No worries. I've seen slightly higher and lower numbers from several sources but this one is pretty much in the middle so thats the one I tend to quote. The number seem to be getting more compelling (bigger share) over time.

http://blogs.eweek.com/applewatch/content/channel/macs_defy_windows-gravity.html

Checking with your IT department is critical for business use of any personal PC. Larger companies may not permit it at all (MAC or PC) or require certain software or configurations to be set up on the machine.

I've found the best way to do this is to use my mac set up as I wish and connect to the corporate network (behind the firewall or via VPN) only through a Windows XP Virtual machine that follows all of the companies IT guidelines. Might not work for everyone though.