burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Windows machines are targets of over 100,000 viruses. When I worked at a large lab, we had several instances where a virus took down the entire operation — over 150 Windows computers — for a day or more. We had Symantec AV running on every Windows box, and still got hit, multiple times!

We never had any issues on any of our Macs, which NEVER ran ANY anti-virus software.

The Mac OS X system is based on UNIX, and has several layers of extremely good anti-VIRUS protection built into it. If you can name ONE actual, successful *virus* attack *in the wild* on OS X, I would love to know what it is. When people ask the same in computer forums, the answer is usually, "Umm... Uhh..." and they point to what's actually *Trojan horse malware*. Big difference!

Macs themselves simply have not been the targets of *successful* *actual VIRUS* attacks.

Mac MS OFFICE has been subject to MS Office Macro viruses from time to time (they rely on Visual Basic, and work the same across platforms). However, these are going to screw up Office data files, and not the rest of the Mac system. You can protect your Office system by locking the Normal.dot(x) template, and any other templates you use.

Just like Windows, Macs are vulnerable to various "Trojan horse" malware schemes, but on the Mac, these require users to do something to "invite" the invader into the system by clicking on an installer button of one sort or another, and then entering an Administrator password! True viruses install themselves.

If you run Windows on your Mac in Parallels or VMWare Fusion, as I do, be sure that the Windows instance is protected with AV and anti-malware and anti-adware packages, the same as it should be on a stand-alone PC.

I always had both a Mac and a Windows box in my office from 1990 through 2008, when I sucked my Dell Latitude D610's hard drive into my Mac with Parallels Transporter.

I used the Mac because I wanted to, and Windows because I needed Windows software such as AS/400 Client Access, various HR time keeping systems, Kodak DP2 Print Production Software, the Windows version of FileMaker Pro, and various company proprietary applications. All of these ran fine on the early 2008 MacBook Pro, in emulation. In fact, running Windows on the MBP was about 2 to 2.5 times faster than running it, and the same apps, on the (admittedly older) Dell!

So I was happy to have just one computer to carry, with my entire suite of training content creation and delivery tools in it. I could cut and paste between operating systems, do still and video screen captures from either operating system, edit videos, audio podcasts, still images, and PowerPoints, and handle every database update chore I needed to handle, all in one box, and back it all up to one external drive.

There is absolutely no comparison when it comes to ease of use, AT THE OS LEVEL. The Mac is layers and layers of elegance deep. When you get a Windows error message, it is technically correct, but functionally useless to anyone but a programmer. When you get a Mac error message, about nine times out of ten, it TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM.

I've seen Windows users move to the Mac and get confused at first, because what took ten steps in Windows only takes about three in OS X. The simplicity takes some getting used to.

I've had folks come up to me a year later and tell me my advice to "Get a Mac" saved them hours of agony, and enabled them to do things they hadn't thought possible. My own sister, a municipal judge, can use an iMac just fine, but won't touch a PC at the courthouse unless she absolutely has to.

Mac users ARE willing to pay more. The total cost of ownership over the full life of the machine is usually less than it would be for a comparable PC. The upfront cost is higher, the service and repair costs lower. Add-on costs are usually lower, since most Macs already come with what you need. In a corporate setting, there is much less support needed for Mac users, unless they run Windows, too. Then, it is about the same.

In my 28 years of using Macs and PCs, I've spent far more time fooling around trying to get a PC to work the way I needed it to work than I had to spend to get the Mac to work the way I needed it to. I've spent far more time USING the Mac, because I don't have to THINK about using it.

The Apple "walled garden" may offend some developers and power users who just want to do their own thing. Yet there isn't much snob appeal in it — Those of us who see computers as tools that should never get in the way of the task are happy to have Macs, and the premium that saves us the time, energy, distracting thought, and frustrations certainly is worth it.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Agree 100%, I have been more than happy to pay that Apple Tax since 2008. The kool aid is pretty tasty too :)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I'm sure this is all true, folks. They've been golden to me over the years. I had a 2005 PowerBook G4 that developed funny, colored vertical lines on the screen — 43 of them! I took it back to the Apple Store, argued my case that it was a known problem (there was an Internet database of hundreds of cases), and they fixed it free of charge, replacing the screen and some driver board, even though the issue was caused by defective THIRD PARTY memory DIMMS that I installed! (I sent the memory back to Kingston and they overnighted me replacements.)

Another time, my MBP had an issue with the nVidia video chip that failed and rendered it useless. I got a free motherboard replacement, even though the Mac itself was out of warranty.

All I had to do was ask nicely.

These were exceptions. Most of the Macs I've encountered were problem free for at least five years. We still have a Power Mac G3 from 1999 that works fine. We keep it to run obsolete software such as PageMaker 6.5 and Macromedia Freehand 11.

My Mac SE lasted from 1986 – 1994 (retired, still working).
My PowerBook 540 lasted from 1994 – 2000. (still working, on AC only)
My PowerBook G3 lasted from 2000 – 2009. (still working, on AC only)
My PowerBook G4 lasted from 2005 – 2012 (or longer; I left the company.) (battery lasted five years)
My MacBook Pro lasted from 2008 – 2012 (or longer; I left the company.)

My 1990 Genesis PC lasted nine months (motherboard meltdown)
My second 1990 Genesis PC lasted three years (hard drive failed; would not boot with new HD)
My 1994 Genesis PC lasted four years (power supply and motherboard meltdown — no discernible cause)
My 1998 PC, a Gateway, lasted two years (motherboard failure)
My 2000 Gateway E Series lasted four years (still worked fine when I turned it in to IT)
My 2005 Dell D610 lasted until 2012, but needed a new hard drive, memory expansion, and battery in 2010.

I'm typing this on a Mac Mini from late 2010, which has needed only a replacement DVD drive that I picked up on eBay for $35. I wish I had three more of this particular Mini!

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

I just got a new PC with a hot graphics card and lots of memory for photo pp using PS. It is fast and powerful. I also have a Power PC running OS X 10.4. It might as well be a door stop. Apple is notorious for abandoning older computers. I can't even update ITunes. I like iMacs but they are more expensive and nonupgradeable and will be obsolete in a couple of years.

Thombar Loc: Hominy, OK

I have been using a Mac since 2003 when I got my first one after years of running Windows. I've never regretted doing it and in just peace of mind I consider the extra money it cost well spent!

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

6 years and counting on my Mac Pro and still very upgradeable.

Your problem was the switch from the Motorola to the Intel CPU. Apple supported the older OS programs for a while.

This is no different than Microsoft's changes rendering older PCs unusable with the new software.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Yep, pretty much depends on the "spin" ;)

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

The first letter in the alphabet is. A. The first letter letter of the first man is A. Apple is my choice for laptop. For me it is money well spent.
For the most part 95% of the tutorials you see on PS and LR the instructor is using an Apple. That I think speaks volumes.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Glad to hear it... BUT, my first IMAC, bought in 2008 is STILL chugging away working fine, no repairs, no hassles after 7 years and several OS upgrades (at zero cost mind you)

So much for the obsolescence in a couple of years I guess...

BTW - I have upgraded both it and my current IMAC desktop very easily and very cheaply.

Rodwil

SNicker317 Loc: North NJ

It's just this level of mis-information that keeps the PC world alive. I think if you spent any time with a Mac you'd soon understand.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I totally agree with you on this. I am waiting for them to come out with I-poop, toilet tissue with the apple logo, to see if they will line up for that as well. I refuse to spend a penny on anything apple.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

So true... It's got to be experienced.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

This is good. We all have a choice. I've made mine, and it is not my place to tell anyone what to use or how to spend their money. I'm happy with my choice of Apple, and I'm glad you're happy with Microsoft.

That said, there is no need to bash one company or the other.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

So tell me how Apple is better now that they use Intel 86 processors which MS PC use the same processors and main PCB and such hardware?