Fran Loc: Northeast, United States

I'm new the world of Mac laptops and I am wondering if someone can recommend a card reader that can be be used to download my images to the laptop?

Also from what I've read Mac products are not as susceptible to viruses as Windows based products. Has this been the experience of othe UHH Mac users? Do you have virus protection software on your Mac?

Thanks.

Fran

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

The Mac operating system is a secure operating system.
When vulnerabilities are found apple plugs the hole.
You don't need virus software for your MAC!!!!
Just keep your OS (operating system aka lion/snowleopard)
current.

I have a few different card readers. The last one I got from office depot or staples. Cost about 20 bucks. They all plug into the USB drive. They all seem to be the same to me. They typically don't fail.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

On my MBP I use Sophos Anti-Virus software. The Macs are far less prone to viruses than the Microsoft world. My main concern is that the Mac can be like a carrier of viruses that will affect a Microsoft PC when files are moved back and force.

I have had good experience with name brand card readers such as ones from Kingston and SanDisk. Some of the generic Chinese ones work but the transfer rate is slower than maximum. It is hard to tell a good from a bad generic reader unless you try them out.

Ruthiel Loc: Las Vegas

I have a MBP but I must not be doing thing correctly, I take the sandisk out of my camera and just put it in the slot on my computer . All my photos load in aperature . Should I be using that thing you call a card reader????

Nikonista Loc: England

I hope you are not heading for a fall. Denial is very common amongst MAC users.

See
http://drtech.bangordailynews.com/2013/04/14/new-products/busting-the-myth-apple-macs-do-get-viruses/

Ziza Loc: USA

And see:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/06/widespread-computer-virus-indicates-mac-users-no-longer-safe/

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/flashback_trojan_making_sure_youre_safe/

treehugger Loc: Eastern Idaho Highlands

Well for goodness sakes, I have been using a MBP for several years and never noticed that slot. To bad my primary camera uses CF cards.
Thanks

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

I have been in this debate many times. I have twenty five years in operating system security and functionality .. 15 at the Federal Bureau of Investigations. You can read my Bio on my website. I assure you I did not make this statement lightly.

It is true that you can carry a virus that will affect other systems like Windows machines.

When a virus does come out that effects the Mac. Apple quickly plugs the hole. This has happened on a few occasions. The main reason Macs are hard to attack are because they have a secure kernel. Just like Linux. MAC OSX was Unix based.

Let's suppose for a minute that you had a "Virus protection software" for the MAC. The only thing it would do would notify you of a virus that was on your machine that could potentially effect someone else's PC. If that is a concern of yours go for the extra money. In my view that's for the PC people to deal with. I Have a Network of computers at my home operating both Linux and Mac OSX operating systems. I have never had a virus.

Unless someone happens to find another hole in the secure kernal. I will never have a virus. End of story.

Read between the lines on the internet articles very closely. Understand that any operating system can have holes.
Apple plugs the holes if found as soon as possible just like a virus protection software company would. (PC's can't stop the penetrating attack they can only scan for them at file load time.)

I never said a MAC never got a virus. I just said you don't need Virus protection software. I also did not say that a MAC could not carry a virus. (Emails can always carry embedded viruses)

Russ

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Unfortunately the MAC does not have a CF card reader built in.
So it just depends on your camera whether you need one or not.

geclevel Loc: Springville, Utah

Well said PalePictures.

Currently the majority of computers in the world have a Windows based operating system. With Windows vulnerabilities the masses write malicious code to do the most damage. The worst thing you can do to your MAC is put Windows on it. I use Sophos Anti-Virus for my MAC just so I don't transfer issues to my work computer.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

You can get one at any Walmart, Radio Shack, Fry's or supermarket ranging in price from $5 - $20



Yes, I keep a virus program designed for Mac on my computer; I have NEVER detected a virus. But Mac is a growing target for hackers; don't open unknown attachments or download from anywhere but a known trusted site. I also now have three RAID systems I rotate for backup; one is always off-site.

photomom Loc: Southern CA

I have a MBP and did get something a year or so ago - not too much happened - thank goodness - i reset passwords - as for a card reader, i have one by Sony - have used it for years - it can read 4 different types of cards (i too use compact flash) ...

Edmojo Loc: Manhattan New York

I do not use a reader as I was told that you damage the prongs on the card or the camera.
I use a USB cord directly from the camera and the computer.
I also store everything on a g drive and have duplicates.

Ed

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Different MacBook Pros have different slots. I have several external USB readers. To me, all perform the same. I also use a Sony XQD ExpressCard Adapter which is fast and convenient in my Mid-2010 MacBook Pro.

VietVet Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I sometimes use a San disk multi card reader. It plugs into USB, but its an old one and a little slow (USB 1) so most times I connect my camera with the camera manufatuers cable to my MBP and find it works very quickly. My p&s has an SD card and for that I use the slot on the computer.