New laptop help

[Marc Martyn]

The only real hurdle that I have run across in using a Mac is compatibility with some things. Right now I am looking at buying a new GPS. When my wife had a Gateway, I could download and upload map data on her PC. We are now PC free and I am trying to figure out the best GPS to buy. Garmin has turned it's back for years on the Mac community. Lowrance now has a unit that is both Mac & Windows friendly. I have to research it a bit more, but will probably go with the Lowrance XOG or the 600c. I also discovered that National Geographic has Topo Maps that can be downloaded onto a Mac. If anyone is up to speed on what the latest GPS units are compatible with, please post your knowledge.

[leahcim_dahc]

It's awesome. Take it out of the box and go. No viruses on these things either. They are sweet. Hefty price tag, but worth it. Good memory, and quite a machine. I like it so far and time will tell how much I'll enjoy/like it down the road...

Congrats on your purchase! There may not be too many known viri on the Mac platform, but I'd definitely keep an eye out for rootkits and trojans. Any Unix or Unix-like operating system is much more secure than Windows, but still has its vulnerabilities with dos, privilege escalation, etc., etc..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=629
http://www.wired.com/politics/security/ ... mac_trojan


Chad

[Easy Limits]

Apple makes some sweet laptops. I am not really fond of mail order computers. I like to be able to see and touch before I buy. Which ever laptop you decide to buy get as much RAM as possible. Having Vista as your OS may not be a good option yet unless your are ready for a challenge.

[MikeFishes]

Now, I'm not trying to start a PC VS Mac war, I'm just wanting to clear up some misconceptions that have been stated here. Apple's OSX really isn't better than Vista in terms of security (viruses, attacks, etc). In fact, it's worse off. If you don't believe me, check out this article from MacWorld and what a top PC Security researcher says (the guy knows his stuff):

From your research on both platforms, is there a winner between Mac OS X 10.4 and Vista on security?

I have found the code quality, at least in terms of security, to be much better overall in Vista than Mac OS X 10.4. It is obvious from observing affected components in security patches that Microsoft’s Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) has resulted in fewer vulnerabilities in newly-written code. I hope that more software vendors follow their lead in developing proactive software security development methodologies.

The reality of computers today is that hackers will go where the targets are. Obviously, it's Windows. However, Vista isn't making things easy for them. OSX is getting more users, which means more targets for hackers and so forth. Trust me, there isn't a completely secure OS, regardless of what the Apple commercials say. Most of it depends on the user.

It doesn't matter what type of computer you have, you have to make sure that you keep it secure by getting AV software, anti-malware software, a non-admin account, and some good computing habbits.

And, for what it's worth, the only time I got my computer infected with a virus and lost data, was on a Mac (my own fault). I have gotten trojan horses on a PC, but those were easier to deal with than the virus that hit my Mac.

[Mike Carey]

Sam,

You still need virus protection, Mac's get viruses too. Be careful what you download. A lot of "free" stuff come with hidden programs and can really mess up a computer, even an Apple.

[A9]

Yep I won't be doing any random downloading or anything. Schoolwork mainly, some internet browsing on sites like this, email, etc.

[EastsideRedneck]

Congrats on making the move to Apple. I'll be joining your ranks soon- Microsoft has claimed it last computer of mine. Okay, they aren't entirely responsible for their demise... but they certainly haven't helped any. One thing you will find with your Mac is that they don't release continuous patches and fixes for functionality or security promised upon initial purchase.
We just replaced my wife's desktop with an iMac a few months ago and she has not once missed her PC. The times I have used it I absolutely loved it.

[MikeFishes]

It's awesome. Take it out of the box and go. No viruses on these things either. They are sweet. Hefty price tag, but worth it. Good memory, and quite a machine. I like it so far and time will tell how much I'll enjoy/like it down the road...

Congrats on your purchase! There may not be too many known viri on the Mac platform, but I'd definitely keep an eye out for rootkits and trojans. Any Unix or Unix-like operating system is much more secure than Windows, but still has its vulnerabilities with dos, privilege escalation, etc., etc..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=629
http://www.wired.com/politics/security/ ... mac_trojan


Chad

Take a look at the CIAC Bulletin list, you'll notice that as far as OS goes, Linux has quite a few vulnerabilities. Of course, this isn't a count or a definitive list. It just backs my assertion that it doesn't matter what OS you have, you have to be careful regardless what PR you believe. Also, it's not just the OS that have vulnerabilities, lot's of software that you install introduce holes that can be used against you as well.