Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Keepongoing]

A co-worker of mine has a Ibook and I loved it. I asked him what virus program he used, he had one that came with the computer but said that you didn't really need one with an Apple product. I am told Apple is better for graphic programs and multi-media. Also, Apple is coming out with a new OS called Tiger. I think it may be a stabler program than Windows. Another point is that the Ibook is built for portability. I had problems with my Toshiba when carrying it to class everyday.

I am not advertising Apple, just giving my thoughts on this. Also I read that there is a USA connection you can buy that will transfer everything from your PC to your new Ibook.

OK, does anybody have experience with both the Ibook and PC's? How is Apple's OS?

[SuperHero]

[Demophobe]

Any Mac OS will be more stable than Windows for various reasons, not many of which are Windows fault.

Enter tha world of Mac....stability, a good, robust, all-in-one type OS and great for what it does. On the negative, a narrow product range, upgrading is not an option for many parts, generally expensive and support is sometimes hard to find.

Apple is better for graphics and multi-media in the professional sense only. You going to produce Toy Story 3?

Personally, I can see no benefit of using a Mac at all. Windows never crashes on me, I've never had a virus, love all the software avaliable and can upgrade anything, anytime. This isn't a Windows feature, but let's say it's a non-Mac feature.

On the virus front, sure, you may be 'safer' with a Mac. Using your head with Windows goes a long way as well. I'm not virus-free solely due to my AV program. In the last 3 years, it saved me only twice. Both times (and now as well) I have nothing to lose from a virus. Backup, backup, backup. I think the virus point is moot for people who invest some time in prevention rather than cure.

[mindmetoo]

[Walter Mitty]

[the_beaver]

MASH, you're nearly a power user. Any laptop will not be adequate if you move up that last step.

[Keepongoing]

[the_beaver]

[cheem]

Hi, I made the "switch" last year and haven't looked back since. I did a minor in Comp.Sci. way back when, so I'm no stranger to hardware, software, and such. Having said that, the IBook is a brilliant little machine. I got myself the 12" model with the 60 GB drive and built-in blue-tooth module.

The hardware is impeccable. Apple engineers are renown for their design prowess and it shows with their laptops. Light, sturdy, nice screen, and just plain sexy. You'll appreciate it when K-girls solicit you for sex when you bust this puppy out at the StarBucks. Seriously speaking, Macs aren't that common here so if you're a poser, you'll appreciate the compliments and stares.

But it's Mac OS X, in my opinion, that really makes the "switch" worthwhile. OS X is just a pleasure to use. Your friend was correct in that you don't really need to worry about viruses or spyware. The interface is simple, intuitive, and just works. The OS is based upon FreeBSD so it's very stable and secure.

In spite of what the naysayers say about the lack of software selection, this hasn't been an issue for me. The IBook comes with 90% of the applications 90% of users will need such as browsers, mail client, and editors. The ILife suite (ITunes, IPhoto, IMovie etc) will cover most other needs. Having said that if you're a power-gamer, I wouldn't recommend a Mac. Mac/OS X just isn't a gaming platform.

So my final parting advice is:

- get an IBook
- get a 12" IBook. it has the same screen resolution as the 14" version, but it's smaller and lighter
- get more RAM. the IBook comes with 256 MB; that's not enough. you want to throw in another 512 MB to 1 GB
- wait until the IBook revision comes out before you buy. there should be a new revision released soon to match the requirements of OS X Tiger. i can't stress this last point enough... WAIT for the next revision.

[redbird]

There's some excellent advice in this thread. The computer support I do for a living is heavily PC, with a few Macs thrown in for variety. I have both on my desk at work and both at home, joined by a router. I don't really think my biases tilt heavily one way or the other. Each OS is better at certain things.

But, I'll tell you that if Apple keeps trying to squelch free speech, I'll stop buying their products. This latest action is way over the line:

http://news.com.com/Apple+strikes+back+at+iCon+Jobs+publisher/2100-1047_3-5686487.html

I agree with just about everything Cheem said-- especially the part about Macs having 90% of the programs 90% of us are going to use. I especially think Macs are the right choice for people who are mostly going to surf, chat, and send e-mail, and who don't want to have to think about viruses and firewalls. But if you're like Demophobe-- someone who games and doesn't mind doing a little upkeep-- then PCs are the right choice.

But I agree with the Beav about laptops. With desktops, you get far more for the money and, more importantly, desktops are easier to upgrade and they're useful much longer. In my work, customers start getting sick of their laptops after two years, but when their desktops are 3 years old they seem to be surprised that it's time for an upgrade. The only reason to spend a lot of money on a laptop, in my opinion, is to impress chicks in coffee shops. Hey, maybe that's enough of a reason...

[the_beaver]

[Demophobe]

I totally agree with the_beaver, but with the advent of USB devices, this is no longer a limitation of laptops.

For me, there are a couple of reasons why I don't dig on laptops.

First, comfort. The smaller keyboard that IMHO, lacks the ergonomics of a desktop keyboard, makes my wrists sore after a period, and just feels crowded.

Next, the LCD. I just don't like them. The contrst is too high, the colors surreal, and the sizes on a laptop, even a "large screen", just don't cut it.

Laptops are also always at least one generation behind desktops in a couple of key areas, and due to heat and power concerns, are always scaled back. Laptops systems can't be pushed to the wall (overclocked) to squeeze out the extra frames, or cut that 2 seconds off a photoshop RAW crunch.

Finally, if one needs an add-on keyboard, external drives for storage and a bigger monitor to save one's eyes after hours of work or play, suddenly your portability is gone, the convenience factor nullified and the sexiness of taking up an entire table at Starbucks, with wires strung all over and needing 2 power plug-ins, has become a gruesome mess.

As far as Macs "just working"...well, I admit I am strange. I like computer problems. I back up all the time, and save an outright hardware failure, I like getting in there and solving. I have to say that in many ways, my early computer years were more satisfying, in an odd sense, than my current state.

There is something very cool about computers that unfortunately, one can't really experience until one starts problem-solving. It gave me a deeper understanding of things, and thus, a deeper appreciation for them. It's great when they just hum along perfectly, but as with many things, getting it to that state constantly, was half the fun.

[mindmetoo]

[cheem]

I'm not one of those Apple-Can-Do-No-Wrong fanboys, just playing devil's advocate here:

[cheem]