Computer Idiot - Help me w/ buying a new Mac

[StunnedMonkey]

Wow. So then because there are so few compared to windows OS, its better to own a Mac as far as Virus' are concerned?

Personally, I'd never choose a platform based on something like the prevalence of viruses in the wild, simply because they're easy to avoid with decent software and smart usage. I bought my first PC in 1985 and have owned too many to count since then (there are 5 PC's, 2 servers, 3 laptops, and 1 netbook in my house right this minute) and I've never had any significant virus issue resulting in data loss or system instability. I consider it a non-issue.

But yeah, there's no question that Mac's and OSx are simply not prone to malware issues the way Windows PC's are. But it's not that they're technically superior in that regard, they're just not worthwhile targets today. I think Apple makes elegant hardware and OSx is beautiful. I have an iPhone and love the hell out of it, AT&T notwithstanding. If a Mac could do all I wanted it to do in the way I wanted to do it, then I'd be all over a Mac. I just find the platform as a whole too limiting with regards to hardware and software options. But then I'm probably not your average user.

 

[Yambor44]

Stunned,

I hear ya. I switched to a Macbook Pro about 2 years ago. There was a learning curve for me, but now that I (somewhat) understand it I prefer it. There are times of frustration when certain sites I need to use for work won't work from the Mac, but I have never had a single hiccup in 2 years with it. I have a Acer notebook that is less than a year old that I don't even use due to the slow speed and the same with a E-machine (I know) that I bought not 6 months ago for those aforementioned web pages that don't work on the Mac. If I understood Mac's any better I am sure there would be no need for any other platform in my life. Heck I can't even get it to hook up with my wireless printer at the house!

If I could get the same flawless usage out of a PC that I get from a Mac, I'd probably use it more simply because I understand it better and as you said, the world is geared more towards windows, which means more software.

 

[BlueSunshine]

Ok, I figure since my dad is the only person on the planet that knows less about technology than I do, someone here can help me. There are no Mac Stores close or that could prob help me too.

Wifey and I have decided we are switching to a Mac notebook, because I don't care what we get and thats what she wants...so, here is what I need it to do:

Word
Excel
Access
Some kind of Photoshop thing for the wifes scrapbookin
AT&T Internet card compatable

http://www.macmall.com/n/macNavLinks-303?q=7949684

This is one I have been looking at.....do I need to upgrade to the Parallels/Windows $205 upgrade to do what I want?

What is Iwork? Word and excel or Macs version of them?

If I get the Microsoft Office for Mac, when someone sends me a document from a PC and I open and try to change, are there issues there?

Do I need security? Macs are virus proof right?

Any of these other options I need?

Thanks for any and all advice!

As others have said in this thread, Open Office is a great choice as an alternative to Microsoft Office. Not to mention that it's free. Neo Office will do the same thing as well.

You don't really need Parallels due to the fact that Mac's can dual boot with Windows. If there is something that must be done with Windows, it's not an issue.

Mac's aren't virus proof, but they are much more secure than a Windows PC when it comes to viruses. You can download ClamXAV for free just in case.

Also for photos, you can download Gimp for OS X for free. Photoshop is much better in my opinion, but Gimp is still very powerful and best of all it's free. So long story short you can get these programs for free on your Mac and it'll address everything in your post:

- Open Office
- ClamXAV
- Gimp
- Boot Camp (comes with the operating system)

Personally, I own 2 mac's, a PC and a Linux box and I like my PC the most. But I believe that Apple make's the best laptops overall. It's all about what you want to get out of your machine.

 

[Chudz]

I second "Open Office".

 

[Rodney84]

This is one I have been looking at.....do I need to upgrade to the Parallels/Windows $205 upgrade to do what I want?

No everything you want to do can be done on the mac side, Microsoft offers the office suite for Mac's

What is Iwork? Word and excel or Macs version of them?

Yes iWorks is the Mac version of office although not many people use it, although if you choose to purchase it (because it is cheaper than office) it will save your documents as Word files so you can email them to office users and open word documents if office users send them to you.

If I get the Microsoft Office for Mac, when someone sends me a document from a PC and I open and try to change, are there issues there?

No issues as far as the two softwares on different platforms reading eachother, it is more Microsoft's fault, earlier in 2008 Microsoft introduced a .docx format for Word and what that created was a problem of opening a document for people using older versions of office or word.

Do I need security? Macs are virus proof right?

No, you do not need security. Norton Anti Virus for mac is a scam much like the whole company even for windows. I have always found it amazing that anytime someone installs norton they get viruses. This could be because they create the illusion of viruses on your computer until you pay them to stop annoying you.

Any of these other options I need?

I have three macs in my house and two Pc's which I use for server computers. I have never had an issue from a mac that has prevented me from working. I am a visual effects artist and love they way they work. For you as far as photoshop with your choice of notebook, photoshop might lag, in fact my wife has the same notebook and has noticed some lag when using photoshop..mainly for the lack of ram. If you are concerned about that you can move up to a 13in macbook pro $200 or if you have a student or teacher in the family you can get a discount of $200 off any computer from Apple.

Hope this helped and I was not to late for the advise
Cheers

 

[ecojack]

Get a PC, save $1000. Spend that $1000 on beer.

Stop looking at porn and you'll stop getting viruses. Stop opening emails from people you don't know, and you'll stop getting viruses. You'll end up paying a grand more for a Mac that does the same exact thing as a PC, but has serious compatibility issues.

If you really have an extra $1000 to blow, buy me a kegging system.

 

[riverfrontbrewer]

Save a 1000 bucks? Where can I get that PC for $150, since the macbook is going to be about $1150.......Go Tuberville!

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

I hear this argument a lot. To me (ME), it seems that if I wanted to attack computers for bragging rights (like hackers do) why not hack a Mac?

kind of..

This has not always been true in the past, but in my experience, the nastiest viruses/worms that are being developed today are not being made by some kid in his mom's basement for bragging rights... believe it or not, virus writing is big business and organized crime pays well for a well written and delivered product. What I mean by well written is that the virus will steal as much of your company (or personal) information as possible, infect other vulnerable machines, and either stay dormant awaiting further instructions, or destroy itself and take your computer with it to cover its tracks. Who has all the money, big businesses, and what do those businesses run, not Macs. So what this boils down to is that other than bragging rights, there is no money to be had writing a virus for a Mac at this time, it is simply not profitable for those writing and paying for those viruses. I would feel "safe" with a Mac right now, but wait until a few fortune 500 companies switch over to Macs and I would wager that it'll be a whole new game yet again. Thats why I say no matter how useless you think AV might be for Macs, you should put in on there anyway.