<p>on a mac? any brand usb cable can do it just fine...who ever heard of a"mac" printer cable</p>
<p>As for as windows software...much of it works for both (that you would need for a class) and often hte specialized apps are on a site license (and run on linux) and you often either connect trhought the network or use a lab computer to do it. </p>
<p>PC or Mac, either one would work just fine.</p>
<p>I am going to change my stance, I say get a PC. My reasons are the following:
1. Even though there are Mac versions for all the software you will more than likely use: Matlab, Mathematica, Mathcad, Maple. They are harder to find either when you buy them or borrow.
2. Why deal with all the retarded arguing, all you need is something that works. Also if you have a problem at 2am, your less likely to find someone who can help you.
3. All this talk about one platform has less virii, spyware, problems. Is just BS, it has been proven that a PC can be proteced properly. Just get the programs mentioned on pg2.</p>
<p>PS: I own an ibook and have all of the software i mentioned, yes you can do everything a pc can do but it takes more effort. It took a while to find, and when you get into certain things it can get very complicated.</p>
<p>@2bad4u: You are totally off base on just about all of your points.</p>
<p>First of all, this thread is about buying laptops. It is equally difficult to replace parts in Dell notebooks as it is in Apple notebooks. The last time I checked, Apple wasn't manufacturing its own harddrives, ram, etc. The reason why you are forced to buy from Apple is simple. Makes and models differ too much in design for hobbyists to upgrade themselves. So, once you get your part (from anywhere, so long as it's compatible), you still won't be able to install it. Apple or not.</p>
<p>Your comment about monitoring people's internet use is . . . irrelevant. The original poster was being sarcastic. S/he is saying that people should be more careful, regardless of the OS they use.</p>
<p>There is one fundamental reason why Linux and Macintosh OS are more stable and secure for newbies: off by default. if you know enough to want a capability, you'll know how to turn it on as well. This protects naive users from sink-holing cycles or being hacked up the wazoo after activating some inane Windows tool like "remote assistance".</p>
<p>I agree that Firefox's biggest security plus is its relative obscurity. However, you completely overlook its off by default mentality, open source administration, and standards compliance . . . no ActiveX</p>
<p>I see no reason why a Linux box, intentionally made vulnerable, wouldn't get rooted as fast as a Windows box. Somebody is checking. You can be sure of that no matter what OS you're running.</p>
<p>By the way, there is no such product as "OS". "OS" means "operating system". Windows, Linux, Macintosh . . . all are OSes. So, please, stop talking about people running "OS".</p>
<p>EDIT: "Mac printer cable"?! You'd better tell Dell that they're giving people Apple cables. . .</p>
<p>"By the way, there is no such product as "OS". "OS" means "operating system". Windows, Linux, Macintosh . . . all are OSes. So, please, stop talking about people running "OS"."</p>
<p>Did you really not think OSX or Mac when you here OS in that context or are you slow.</p>
<p>"There is one fundamental reason why Linux and Macintosh OS are more stable and secure for newbies: off by default. if you know enough to want a capability, you'll know how to turn it on as well. This protects naive users from sink-holing cycles or being hacked up the wazoo after activating some inane Windows tool like "remote assistance".</p>
<p>I agree that Firefox's biggest security plus is its relative obscurity. However, you completely overlook its off by default mentality, open source administration, and standards compliance . . . no ActiveX
"</p>
<p>that was my whole point Linux and Mac dont have the capabilities of a PC, the average user wont be able to turn on the capabilities on Mac that is why Windows is on to allow the user not to have to have to turn on capabilitites which they might not be able to do. The whole stabilty argument is bs its inherently obvious that nobody who hacks is going bother with operating systems that are used by a minority of people, doing is like trying to rob your local library instead of the bank.</p>
<p>"First of all, this thread is about buying laptops. "</p>
<p>I dont know about about you but the topic says Apple vs PC in science, I cant really clarify that anymore.
"
The reason why you are forced to buy from Apple is simple. Makes and models differ too much in design for hobbyists to upgrade themselves. So, once you get your part (from anywhere, so long as it's compatible), you still won't be able to install it. Apple or not."</p>
<p>Youre trying to say even hobbyist cant upgrade themselves that's obviously a lie, for your most common parts HD RAM is it really that hard to check spec on your notebooks laptop and compare it to the uprgade one youre buying(when buying any upgrade part notebook or not checking compatibily is important,when you buy youre controller for a PS2 do you just buy any product that says controller, no you might end up with a dreamcast controller). You make it seem so much harder to do by ignoring fundamental considerations when you buy youre part, the way you describe notebook parts I dont see how a professional could work on notebooks.</p>
<p>little boy who couldnt spell too bad for you said:
"blah blah blah
no really you can just call it OS because there is no way that might get confused with an old mac or os or maybe OS/2 or beOS
blah blah blah
incredibly wrong and stupid analysis of service handling across multiple systems
blah blah blah
nobody would want to hack anything besides windows because nobody would ever go after major corporations or banks or anything like that
blah blah blah
stupid analogy (considering citi has run solaris servers for years and my library serves up webpages with apache)"</p>
<p>little boy who couldnt spell too bad for you or put everything into one post said:
"blah blah blah
I didnt read the thread
blah blah blah
contradict self
blah blah blah
terrible analogy
blah blah 'you're' blah"</p>
<p>That is all.</p>