<p>"Mac OS X really kicks windows' ass in spyware and viruses (because of the user base), but also because Mac OS X deletes stuff better than Windows, and doesn't have gaping security flaws that Windows is known for."</p>
<p>Do you have proof to substaniate that Mac OS X doesn't have gaping security flaws?</p>
<p>OS X has lots of security flaws. Hackers dont target it because of its small user base. When you can spend the same amount of work to infect 10x more computers then its obvious you will be going for Windows.</p>
<p>Actually the majority of major servers by Major corporations run freebsd , even some of Microsofts servers and its know to be one of the most solid OS around.</p>
<p>Now if you think that the people with windows have more malicious acts on them than bsd servers. well you would be wrong.</p>
<p>Os X is Build off of Free BSD Darwin, and apple is only responsible for there microkernel. whiH I could probrolly write myself if needed.</p>
<p>so apple is a great choice, I just would never build one becauce well I dont like gui's, Im str8t up command like.</p>
<p>The reason why there is Windows Virus and not macs is because the people who write them are the people who had windows- hated it and then switched to macs.</p>
<p>Nos i kinda highly doubt that, I can say 99% of Viruses arent written on win32 systems</p>
<p>"The reason why there is Windows Virus and not macs is because the people who write them are the people who had windows- hated it and then switched to macs."</p>
<p>Chances are those virus-makers would migrate to Linux/BSD, not Mac OS</p>
<p>Two Dell laptops here...both perfect and trouble free.</p>
<p>ok geeze guys it was sarcasm. Leave me alone.</p>
<p>I'm typing this post sitting in front of a Dell E1705 and a Macbook Pro. From my experience with both systems, I would say that Macs are more user-friendly, less virus prone, and better built. However, that comes at a cost: for the same performance specs, Dells are significantly cheaper. I chose a Dell for myself because it was so much cheaper. It's up to you to determine what works for you.</p>
<p>Also, I've heard that Dells are built much better today than a few years ago when they sucked (and therefore, their reputation is worse than it ought to be). I can't personally vouch for this, but I can say I haven't had any major problems with my Dell laptop.</p>
<p>One last thing: I noticed that someone recommended getting at least 1 GB of RAM above. If you decide it's worth the money, shop around. You can get RAM for much less money by buying it seperately (Dell charges like twice as much as Newegg for RAM)(I don't know if this applies to Apple; I know that for the Macbook Pro, it made sense not to purchase extra RAM from another company).</p>
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However, Mac overcharges you on every freaking piece of Hardware you buy.
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<p>Actually, it's mostly the apple accessories now that cost a lot. The only overpriced apple accessory I can think of that does not have a cheaper generic replacement, is the magsafe power supply which runs like $80 to get a second extra one.</p>
<p>The macbook itself (with student discount) is an incredible bargain in terms of the hardware you get for your money. Add in the free iPod and the value is huge.</p>
<p>Otherwise, just buy your RAM, hard disk, etc upgrades 3rd party.</p>
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Do you have proof to substaniate that Mac OS X doesn't have gaping security flaws?
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<p>Well, Mac OS X is based on Unix, and Unix has a 36 years of a great security record. Sure there are lots of security flaws and exploits that need to be patched (same as in any operating system) but the fundamental security model is good. Windows, on the other hand...</p>
<p>While I'm no expert, I think the reason Mac has had fewer viruses is that they are a much smaller market share. People who do this want recognition in some warped sort of way. The more people they can affect, the bigger their "fame". As the Mac market share increases, I predict that you will see more invasions of that system, too.</p>
<p>I am goign g to Smith College and they suggest the same two laptops:-) I had a really hard time deciding, but in the end I got the dell because some programs I'll use in school won't run on the mac(AutoCad, Photoshop) and I don't want to have problems with presenting my presentations I did on the mac on a school pc.
I guess macbook and the dell latitude are both fine, just make sure that programs you might have to use for class run on both OS.</p>
<p>Apple charges $100 to upgrade from 512 to 1 GB. -_-.... While you can buy stuff from Newegg, if someone's a n00b at computing, that person may not want to spend the time, even though it is cheap and easy (and the 1 GB is worth it anyway). And yes, Mac does have major security flaws, but Windows is bad when it comes to security and reliability, to say the least, and admittedly, this is a large part due to the state of the internet right now.</p>
<p>Viruses are written by bored people with nothing better to do, complete nerds who need a hobby. Spyware is written by people who want to steal your money and take your secrets. People do this because they can use your computer to send massive emails, spamming other computers, stealing your identity, and other fun stuff making money. A major motivator right now for people who make spyware and viruses is profit.</p>
<p>if you look around HP also offers a student discount, do a search on their home page and you'll be able to find it, I think it's 5 or 10% off of the purchase.</p>
<p>"Viruses are written by bored people with nothing better to do, complete nerds who need a hobby. "-lastchancexi</p>
<p>So your asserting that everyone that makes computer viruses is a loser? Ever remember the mydoom virus? The person that did it was a kid whose parents had a computer repair business that wasn't going over. He then issues a world wide virus to help bring money in for his parents. So is he a loser because he's trying to help out his parents struggling company? What about the gray hat hackers that hack networks to show them about the flaws in their system? What about the once known hackers that are not working for microsoft and norton trying to help keep you from getting hacked? I don't think you truly understand a hacker. A script kiddie would be considered a loser, not a hacker.</p>
<p>This is obviously a generalization. And yeah, hacking is different from creating viruses.... I never said anything about hacking, I said creating viruses. Generally, people who create viruses need a hobby. Hacking is useful. I don't see how viruses are.</p>
<p>I think the writing Of Viruses is there Hobby.</p>
<p>Get an Apple MacBook Pro. It can now dual boot both Windows XP and Mac Os X, and it has duo intel core processors. So you can have Windows when you need it for some app, or just use Mac OS X, because it is the better operating system and less susceptible to viruses. Also it can run all Microsoft office apps if you buy the software, and has cool extras like a built-in camera and iLife software. Plus it is really light and has a widescreen display. I have been a Dell guy all my life and our family owns two Dell desktops and an Inspiron laptop, but the MacBook is truly amazing.</p>
<p>One thing Nobody here seems to Understand is.</p>
<p>If You all Were Not Computer idiots then you would never have to worry about Viruses.</p>
<p>Only Idiot users get Viruses, same way only idiot users get lung and mouth cancer.</p>
<p>Ive been computing for about 17 years now and can say that there is No way that I have ever had a Virus, I dont even use a so called anti-virus. I dont mean to be harsh to you guys but when it come to computers the majority of you dont know what you know in other subjects.</p>
<p>you may ask, well How does he know that he has never had a virus, when he doesnt have a anti-virus, I can know this because it is physically impossible to install or implement any type of file or data structure onto my pc.</p>
<p>so you dont need to get a mac because it has less viruses, you should learn what you are doing for all instances.</p>
<p>Hey UB-Vinny77, I respect your skills, abilities, and knowledge... If you could be so kind to impart your knowledge to us, I'd be grateful! However, you could be nice and not call us idiots...you're right that some of us don't know about things but don't exploit our faults, please...Thanks! ^_^</p>