Quick question re. purchasing laptops
May 8th 2012, 6:28 pm
#31
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
While that's true, I ran Windows PCs for years with no kind of anti-virus and never had a problem even when connected directly to the Internet with only the software firewall for protection. Macs are safer for inexperienced users, but Windows isn't so bad as long as you don't behave in ways that are likely to infect your machine; like running random software you downloaded off the Web.
Of course I run Linux 99% of the time now so that's no longer an issue; I only keep a Windows PC around for iTunes for my girlfriend's iPod.
Of course I run Linux 99% of the time now so that's no longer an issue; I only keep a Windows PC around for iTunes for my girlfriend's iPod.
May 8th 2012, 6:30 pm
#32
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Worcestershire
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
http://www.montrealgazette.com/techn...318/story.html
The only reason why Mac’s don’t have so many viruses is simply because its smaller market, however the growth of the brand combined with the ignorance and delusion of its owners has made it ripe and easy for attack..
If you really want a virus immune OS then look at one of the better Linux variants and a PC… run from read only ROM/flash... or better still get off the internet
May 8th 2012, 6:32 pm
#33
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Assuming you mean 'Windows PC', my old XP machine that I brought over from England doesn't get booted up much anymore but it's still running after nine years; the only issue is that the Microsoft Framework something or other is screwed up and won't update even if I uninstall it and reinstall it. My original $500 Linux PC from 2008 is still working fine after four years too.
I looked at Macs when I bought my new laptop, and for an extra $1500 I could have had an Apple logo, less RAM and a slightly faster CPU. I think you can guess which one I picked.
May 8th 2012, 6:37 pm
#34
Up Your Kilt
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
The only reason why Mac’s don’t have so many viruses is simply because its smaller market, however the growth of the brand combined with the ignorance and delusion of its owners has made it ripe and easy for attack..
or better still get off the internet
May 8th 2012, 6:41 pm
#35
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Macs are PCs.
Assuming you mean 'Windows PC', my old XP machine that I brought over from England doesn't get booted up much anymore but it's still running after nine years; the only issue is that the Microsoft Framework something or other is screwed up and won't update even if I uninstall it and reinstall it. My original $500 Linux PC from 2008 is still working fine after four years too.
I looked at Macs when I bought my new laptop, and for an extra $1500 I could have had an Apple logo, less RAM and a slightly faster CPU. I think you can guess which one I picked.
Assuming you mean 'Windows PC', my old XP machine that I brought over from England doesn't get booted up much anymore but it's still running after nine years; the only issue is that the Microsoft Framework something or other is screwed up and won't update even if I uninstall it and reinstall it. My original $500 Linux PC from 2008 is still working fine after four years too.
I looked at Macs when I bought my new laptop, and for an extra $1500 I could have had an Apple logo, less RAM and a slightly faster CPU. I think you can guess which one I picked.
Im just trying to explain the benefits over a Windows PC - having worked in the IT dep of a school in England, I can tell you the lifespan of a Windows machine is terrible, dont buy cheap, and dont buy without added protection of at least 3 years.
May 8th 2012, 7:27 pm
#36
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Well I have 10+yr IBM laptop running win98 in our lab taking tempreture measurements on a regular basis..
May 8th 2012, 7:36 pm
#37
Peter Darwin
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 502
Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Macs. Wouldn't have 'em in the house.
May 8th 2012, 7:40 pm
#38
Up Your Kilt
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
running win98
running Windows 2000
I think my original Pong game will still work if I hook it up to my TV - now which box is it in?
May 8th 2012, 7:53 pm
#39
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Location: Worcestershire
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Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
which just disproves a hardware life cyle of less than 3 yrs
FYI we got an old coleco vision up and running last month
May 8th 2012, 8:02 pm
#40
Cheesy Grin :-)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Posts: 646
Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
I could have predicted that my post would get you boys discussing your hardware 
Question, from OH of course, what are the equivalents to Dabs and Novatech etc, i.e. where to get components when building a PC and is that the cheaper option in Canada rather than buying off the shelf.......
Question, from OH of course, what are the equivalents to Dabs and Novatech etc, i.e. where to get components when building a PC and is that the cheaper option in Canada rather than buying off the shelf.......
May 8th 2012, 8:36 pm
#41
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Agreed they are for some and not for others.
Reasons to go for a Mac (laptop specifically)
- Very hard to get a virus - having had PC's prior to 2010 I would get some form of a virus/malware flag up every few months. Since having a Mac not once. Exact the same for everyone else I know who has one.
- Materials & Parts - Macbook Pros are made from one piece of aluminium, drop this and the casing isnt going to break (internals might not not the outer part) it also doesnt warp. I have had multiple laptops in the past that get stress cracks, warp and crack just with basic wear and tear. Very annoying.
- Software (OS) - Windows computers DO slow down noticably with use, it cant be helped, it is because of the way Windows was designed. Windows knows and acknowledges this (new Windows 8 has one touch restore button to re-install basic OS system to restore speed) Macs slow, but it isnt noticeable. For everyday use this is ideal.
Reasons not to get a Mac,
Price - Alot higher than PC's.
Software availability - getting better, especially with Bootcamp.
Familiarity - Used to Windows, cant handle the change
My personal opinion there are two kinds of people best suite to Mac.
- Digital Artists using high end Adobe and Mac native software
- Basic users who Surf internet, listen to music and download/watch movies
Mid end users who use random bits of software and Gamers are not suited to Macs at all.
Reasons to go for a Mac (laptop specifically)
- Very hard to get a virus - having had PC's prior to 2010 I would get some form of a virus/malware flag up every few months. Since having a Mac not once. Exact the same for everyone else I know who has one.
- Materials & Parts - Macbook Pros are made from one piece of aluminium, drop this and the casing isnt going to break (internals might not not the outer part) it also doesnt warp. I have had multiple laptops in the past that get stress cracks, warp and crack just with basic wear and tear. Very annoying.
- Software (OS) - Windows computers DO slow down noticably with use, it cant be helped, it is because of the way Windows was designed. Windows knows and acknowledges this (new Windows 8 has one touch restore button to re-install basic OS system to restore speed) Macs slow, but it isnt noticeable. For everyday use this is ideal.
Reasons not to get a Mac,
Price - Alot higher than PC's.
Software availability - getting better, especially with Bootcamp.
Familiarity - Used to Windows, cant handle the change
My personal opinion there are two kinds of people best suite to Mac.
- Digital Artists using high end Adobe and Mac native software
- Basic users who Surf internet, listen to music and download/watch movies
Mid end users who use random bits of software and Gamers are not suited to Macs at all.
May 8th 2012, 8:48 pm
#42
Part Time Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 4,219
Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
I could have predicted that my post would get you boys discussing your hardware
Question, from OH of course, what are the equivalents to Dabs and Novatech etc, i.e. where to get components when building a PC and is that the cheaper option in Canada rather than buying off the shelf.......
Question, from OH of course, what are the equivalents to Dabs and Novatech etc, i.e. where to get components when building a PC and is that the cheaper option in Canada rather than buying off the shelf.......
My personal shop of choice is Canada computers
I tend to buy my motherboards off e-bay, and any specialty parts, but the commodity items such as drives, PSU’s etc I’ll buy local.
But my system isn’t close to normal being a multiuser Linux system based on a commercial server and a set of thin clients around the home
Last edited by MikeUK; May 8th 2012 at 8:52 pm.
May 8th 2012, 8:50 pm
#43
Cheesy Grin :-)
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Burlington, Ontario
Posts: 646
Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Depending where your based, in the GTA we have lot of local hardware shops that are very competive on price..
My personal shop of choice is Canada computers
My personal shop of choice is Canada computers
May 8th 2012, 10:17 pm
#45
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 583
Re: Quick question re. purchasing laptops
Your right though, with a high enough end PC you can get the same sort of results. Im just saying from my experience, coming from a PC for many years and switching to a Mac, the difference is eye-opening - for some of the stuff I do (see above)