For those who like to criticize the Mac Mini. . .

[Q Classic]

IBM laptops were the best... now, personally, I'd lean towards Samsung, Sony, or Toshiba laptops.

[Q Classic]

Oh, and honestly?

Why would you ever turn to the WSJ for a decent, intelligent and well-written critique of technology?

WSJ doesn't have a finger on the pulse of technology at all. At best, it's like the rest of the mainstream media.

By the time they hear about it and report it...

It's two weeks old and already obsolete.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
IMHO: http://www.alienware.com/Product_Pag...ll_gaming.aspx

Alienware laptops are certainly the best.

Depends what you're looking for.

For gaming laptops, IMO Voodoo makes the best (though I may be biased since I used to work for them )

For everything else, IBM ThinkPads are the best.

[Agathon]

My family use Dell, and they've never had a virus. I train them well...

Fine... my mother has been largely saved from virus and spyware hell because I yelled at her and my Dad (RIP) to get antivirus software. They didn't even know what a computer virus was. I made her install Firefox too (which she likes very much).

But why should informed people even have to take the time to fix this crap.

But there are many people who do not have easy access to relatives or friends to fix their computers for them. In fact that is the case with most people. They aren't stupid, they just don't have the time to waste becoming excessively familiar with computer repair.

My wife is like this. She doesn't she why she should learn a load of boring crap just to be able to keep a computer in working condition. She's right.

People like this are going to spend quite a bit of money calling in the computer fix it people.

If they bought a mac mini they would not have this problem because there are no viruses or spyware that afflict OS X.

The sticker price is obviously not the same as TOC.

[Q Classic]

I wouldn't mind if everybody switched to Macs.

Then, spyware and virus artisans would switch their targeted platform from Windows to Mac OS X.

And then you would understand why your current assertion that "security through obfuscation and rarity is good" is absolutely bizarre.

Computers aren't very different from cars, imho. You need to be taught how to use them properly, otherwise, you **** over everyone else.

[Agathon]

Then, spyware and virus artisans would switch their targeted platform from Windows to Mac OS X.

Good for them. But that will never happen. Economic realities mean that Apple will probably never get above 10% marketshare at best.

And then you would understand why your current assertion that "security through obfuscation and rarity is good" is absolutely bizarre.

No. I don't care to speculate about the reasons for macs being virus free. I'm sure it is a combination of things, but no-one really knows. The Classic OS had a few viruses, but nothing for OS X.

The fact is that they are and have been virus free for four years or so now. If you are a basic user who doesn't want to bother with that stuff, it is a fact that you are better off with a mac - it will be cheaper in the end.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
The sticker price is obviously not the same as TOC

You're missing the point -- that's not what the article was about, and that was not the basis for my debunking.

If people do not follow adequate maintenance procedures for their computer and they don't know how to fix it themselves, it will likely cost money to fix -- just like cars.

The reason MacOS X has "no known viruses" (but does have known spyware -- I've no idea why you repeatedly make the claim that it doesn't) is a factor of its market share.

Most viruses do not exploit program vulnerabilities or program design, they rely on user ignorance.

If everyone switches to MacOS X, you'd have the vast majority of new viruses there, not Windows.

Further, it's not expensive to keep your computer virus free. There are good, free anti-virus products out there -- and frankly, anyone who operates a computer on the internet without knowing the threat of viruses (especially with all of the press in recent years), deserves to learn the lesson the hard way.

[Q Classic]

I still don't see how your type of security, which is no real security at all, is a good thing.

We don't drive without licenses; why should we let people on the internet without some rudimentary education, like...

DON'T ****ING OPEN ATTATCHMENTS FROM PEOPLE YOU DON'T ****ING KNOW!

For an educator, you seem to not really care whether people learn how to use tools properly or not.

[Agathon]

You're missing the point -- that's not what the article was about, and that was not the basis for my debunking.

Then your debunking is irrelevant. TOC is what matters - nothing else.

If people do not follow adequate maintenance procedures for their computer and they don't know how to fix it themselves, it will likely cost money to fix -- just like cars.

Why not buy a reliable car in the first place, or better still buy the kind of car that thieves don't target. That's called being smart.

The reason MacOS X has "no known viruses" (but does have known spyware -- I've no idea why you repeatedly make the claim that it doesn't) is a factor of its market share.

I have claimed no such thing. I consistently claim that I don't know why there are no viruses.

As for spyware, someone who installs it has to have access to your computer - it won't just install itself through a web browser - so it is no problem.

Your assertion that there are no mac viruses because of marketshare is mere speculation. No one knows for sure why... you can speculate all you like, but you have no proof.

[Fve Crathva]

Originally posted by Asher
Further, it's not expensive to keep your computer virus free. There are good, free anti-virus products out there -- and frankly, anyone who operates a computer on the internet without knowing the threat of viruses (especially with all of the press in recent years), deserves to learn the lesson the hard way.

But we don't deserve for them to learn the hard way. Again, and again, and again.

If we work hard enough, we can make viruses such a boogeyman that regular users will finally get the urge to ask somebody to spend the 10 minutes needed to install a virus scanner and a firewall. No need for them to learn anything, except that viruses are bad.

SP

[RGBVideo]

I thought this thread was about guns.

[Fve Crathva]

It is, if you use "guns" as a euphemism for penises.

SP

[Q Classic]

Well, i know some people use guns as a synonym of sorts for muscles.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
Then your debunking is irrelevant. TOC is what matters - nothing else.

It's not irrelevant, it's exactly what this thread is about.

Even then, don't even start me on TOC -- it's a well known fact that MacOS upgrades cost far more than Windows, and they're far less upgradable than Windows.

TOC is cheaper with PCs, and the Mac Mini doesn't change that.

Why not buy a reliable car in the first place, or better still buy the kind of car that thieves don't target. That's called being smart.

If you buy a Toyota you should still change the oil. It might be more reliable, but it's still stupid to be ignorant about good operating practice.

As for spyware, someone who installs it has to have access to your computer - it won't just install itself through a web browser - so it is no problem.

Don't you get it -- that's how most Spyware is installed, as well. Most spyware is installed through product bundling, like with Kazaa. It's a component of programs users willingly install. Further, these things don't automatically get installed through a web browser either -- users have to click "YES" to proceed with the install. This is possible on any and all systems I know of, it can be done in Firefox/Mozilla with XPI instead of ActiveX, and it can be done with a simple download dialog box for other systems. Again, it's not that MacOS is immune to such things by design, it's just not a popular target due to pathetic marketshare and meaningless userbase.

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Lord Nuclear
Is there any problem with Dell desktops?

Watch the PSU. My dell, granted it was made a couple years ago, had its PSU pop after a few too many hardware additions. And the PSU was an odd proprietary type which I couldnt find locally,had to purchase online.

Other than that to the desktop

my wife has had a lot of problems with the dell laptop, but we have onsite next day repair warranty (through her university purchase plan )