iMac?

yzthumpa
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Edited Date/Time 3/26/2012 11:26am
Anything bad or unusual about these that I should know before I buy one? I'm totally ignorant about all things computer related (and quite a few other things as well, some may argue). In the past 10 years, I've been through 3 PC's. I use it for a few years til it gets overrun by viruses or whatever and becomes too slow to function, then I toss it and buy a new one. The kid tells me it's time to go Mac, amd that they don't get viruses. Any learning curve involved, or will it be pretty similar to every other computer?
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308
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3/9/2012 9:24am
you will be happy with the iMac. not much of a learning curve either.
jndmx
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3/9/2012 9:47am Edited Date/Time 3/9/2012 9:48am
No right click........other than that, not too much difference except price wise.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you are immune from malicious software though.
These days it is more about hijacking your browser and information than deploying a virus.

I would still take appropriate steps to keep out spyware and malware.
rc4187
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3/9/2012 9:48am
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine.

While I'm good at protecting my machines and don't get things even on my PC's...
I do end up fixing machines that belong to others both mac and windows.

The only real protection they have is their small market share which makes them less of a target.

In reality, they do get viruses and will if you're not just as careful as you are with a pc.

I wish you better luck with your computers in the future, but if you're someone who gets bugs on your machine commonly, just buying a Mac won't solve that.
308
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3/9/2012 9:52am
jndmx wrote:
No right click........other than that, not too much difference except price wise. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are immune from malicious software though. These...
No right click........other than that, not too much difference except price wise.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you are immune from malicious software though.
These days it is more about hijacking your browser and information than deploying a virus.

I would still take appropriate steps to keep out spyware and malware.
you can right click with iMac

1. Go into your System Preferences.
2. Click on "Keyboard & Mouse."
3. Click on the "Mouse" tab on the top.
4. On the far right where you see "Primary Button," click there.
5. Select "Secondary Button."

The Shop

jndmx
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3/9/2012 9:54am
jndmx wrote:
No right click........other than that, not too much difference except price wise. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are immune from malicious software though. These...
No right click........other than that, not too much difference except price wise.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you are immune from malicious software though.
These days it is more about hijacking your browser and information than deploying a virus.

I would still take appropriate steps to keep out spyware and malware.
308 wrote:
you can right click with iMac 1. Go into your System Preferences. 2. Click on "Keyboard & Mouse." 3. Click on the "Mouse" tab on the...
you can right click with iMac

1. Go into your System Preferences.
2. Click on "Keyboard & Mouse."
3. Click on the "Mouse" tab on the top.
4. On the far right where you see "Primary Button," click there.
5. Select "Secondary Button."
damn......it's been a while since I used one.

Well then forget that part of what I said.....lol.
FreshTopEnd
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3/9/2012 10:09am
You'll enjoy it and I would never discourage anyone from buying a Mac from among the good PC options as well. We have two; the old lampshade flat screen from 2001 or so, and a late 2006 Intel. Both work fine; the older one needed a component on the screen once about five years ago. That literally is the only issue we've had with either. Just added more ram to the intel one this morning.

The new IMac are a terrific value for what they offer. We'd have one but I prefer the non-glossy screen for photo editing. On the virus deal, although it's true that Macs are not targeted as much, it is a good idea to have something (we use Sophos) and to keep up on the software updates. Even most PC virus issues are a factor of users not starting updated and the fact that there is so much vulnerable outlaw pirated software out there that breeds the stuff. And if you run Windows on the Mac, you'll be in about the same boat.

One thing I would do (and tried to do here) is to keep you Mac mail account purely personal and use a ISP host mail account or GMail or something to sign up for the spam generating sites out there. Then you'll keep a pretty clean mailbox of only things that really matter to you.
Mx4life320
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3/9/2012 1:17pm
Dont have one yet but want one.. I am on computers everyday for work, But my next computer will be a MAC..
S.Loyer
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3/9/2012 1:35pm
I rock a MacBook Pro and and iMac. Love them both.
Never going back.
Nielsen277
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3/9/2012 1:47pm
rc4187 wrote:
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine. While I'm...
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine.

While I'm good at protecting my machines and don't get things even on my PC's...
I do end up fixing machines that belong to others both mac and windows.

The only real protection they have is their small market share which makes them less of a target.

In reality, they do get viruses and will if you're not just as careful as you are with a pc.

I wish you better luck with your computers in the future, but if you're someone who gets bugs on your machine commonly, just buying a Mac won't solve that.
The line about them being just as vulnerable to viruses is not true. PCs are MUCH MUCH more vulnerable.

I've had 6 Macs since 2005 and have never had a virus, never ran any anti-virus software either. My dad runs Kaspersky on all his PCs and can't go more than 2 years without them crapping out. I've got an eMac from 2004 that runs just like it did the day I got it. They are solid machines.

The newer iMacs with the 21.5/27" screens have gorgeous displays.
tcannon521
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3/10/2012 11:40am
yzthumpa wrote:
Anything bad or unusual about these that I should know before I buy one? I'm totally ignorant about all things computer related (and quite a few...
Anything bad or unusual about these that I should know before I buy one? I'm totally ignorant about all things computer related (and quite a few other things as well, some may argue). In the past 10 years, I've been through 3 PC's. I use it for a few years til it gets overrun by viruses or whatever and becomes too slow to function, then I toss it and buy a new one. The kid tells me it's time to go Mac, amd that they don't get viruses. Any learning curve involved, or will it be pretty similar to every other computer?
The only reason I would discourage you from getting an iMac right now is they are a due a refresh. The new processors are about 1-3 months away. I just bought one for work because I had too, otherwise I would have waited for the refresh.
Sherwood
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3/10/2012 2:18pm
rc4187 wrote:
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine. While I'm...
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine.

While I'm good at protecting my machines and don't get things even on my PC's...
I do end up fixing machines that belong to others both mac and windows.

The only real protection they have is their small market share which makes them less of a target.

In reality, they do get viruses and will if you're not just as careful as you are with a pc.

I wish you better luck with your computers in the future, but if you're someone who gets bugs on your machine commonly, just buying a Mac won't solve that.
Not true about them being just as vulnerable as a PC


It is possible for an Apple Macintosh computer to get a virus, so the short answer to the question is Yes. However, the likelihood of an Apple Macintosh user getting a virus when compared to a Microsoft Windows user is very little to none. In fact, many of the Apple Macintosh users don't even run an antivirus protection program.

Below are some of the reasons why Apple Macintosh computers do not have as many viruses as Microsoft Windows.

Newer Macintosh operating systems, such as the Mac OS X, is built on the Unix kernel, which is one of the oldest and most secure operating systems available.
Microsoft Windows is used by a lot more people than the Apple Mac OS. Because more people use Microsoft Windows, it is a much better target than Apple computers.
Most of the computer virus writers are more familiar with the IBM platform and Microsoft Windows, which means its easier for them create a virus for that platform.
Many of the tools and scripts used to help users create viruses or other malware are designed for Microsoft Windows.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000737.htm
rc4187
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3/11/2012 3:18am
rc4187 wrote:
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine. While I'm...
Though a Mac may be better suited for some people, they are just as vulnerable to viruses, malware, adware, etc... as any windows machine.

While I'm good at protecting my machines and don't get things even on my PC's...
I do end up fixing machines that belong to others both mac and windows.

The only real protection they have is their small market share which makes them less of a target.

In reality, they do get viruses and will if you're not just as careful as you are with a pc.

I wish you better luck with your computers in the future, but if you're someone who gets bugs on your machine commonly, just buying a Mac won't solve that.
Nielsen277 wrote:
The line about them being just as vulnerable to viruses is not true. PCs are MUCH MUCH more vulnerable. I've had 6 Macs since 2005 and...
The line about them being just as vulnerable to viruses is not true. PCs are MUCH MUCH more vulnerable.

I've had 6 Macs since 2005 and have never had a virus, never ran any anti-virus software either. My dad runs Kaspersky on all his PCs and can't go more than 2 years without them crapping out. I've got an eMac from 2004 that runs just like it did the day I got it. They are solid machines.

The newer iMacs with the 21.5/27" screens have gorgeous displays.
I own both Macs and PC's as I develop software and work on both. Actually posting this from a mac mini as we speak. I also help fix machines around the office and many of my friends as well. While I've not had viruses on my windows or mac machines for 6+ years... I've worked on many who have. And I know for a fact that I fix as many macs as I do pc's. Some people are just plain better at avoiding problems than others, but to say that macs aren't vulnerable bc in your experience you've had no problems is silly.

Windows 7 in my experience is the most useful OS for my taste. But that's not the topic.
If you are prone to finding malware, adware, viruses, etc... switching from pc to mac probably won't fix that.
jndmx
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3/11/2012 4:45am
Nielsen277 wrote:
The line about them being just as vulnerable to viruses is not true. PCs are MUCH MUCH more vulnerable. I've had 6 Macs since 2005 and...
The line about them being just as vulnerable to viruses is not true. PCs are MUCH MUCH more vulnerable.

I've had 6 Macs since 2005 and have never had a virus, never ran any anti-virus software either. My dad runs Kaspersky on all his PCs and can't go more than 2 years without them crapping out. I've got an eMac from 2004 that runs just like it did the day I got it. They are solid machines.

The newer iMacs with the 21.5/27" screens have gorgeous displays.
You're making the classic mistake......you are assuming that everyone does what you do.
You may have very safe surfing habits and know what not to click on........not everyone knows that.

Anyone that says any machine that accesses the internet is free of worry about malware is wrong.

It isn't about virus protection only, it's about malware, spyware and hijacks of your info.....any machine using a web browser is vulnerable.
Most of the time people have issues with virus or spyware getting on their machines because they can't take 5 minutes every few days to look at what is going on.

When you run free virus protection like Kaspersky you get what you pay for.......and tell your dad to quit surfing porn.

Mac or PC you need to be smart.
3/21/2012 5:04pm
PC with LINUX for me..
Mac, to me is overrated, overpriced, well marketed stuff. They are good for general users but I don't think MOST power users prefer them. Their os is Unix based which is the big brother to Linux so why not just run a custom Linux os? that's just my .02
kdx man
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3/25/2012 6:18pm
PC with LINUX for me.. Mac, to me is overrated, overpriced, well marketed stuff. They are good for general users but I don't think MOST power...
PC with LINUX for me..
Mac, to me is overrated, overpriced, well marketed stuff. They are good for general users but I don't think MOST power users prefer them. Their os is Unix based which is the big brother to Linux so why not just run a custom Linux os? that's just my .02
Cause most people dont want to deal with a customized setup.

I work in a professional situation and I want to walk in to work, turn the computer on, and go. If we need tech support it gets handled almost instantaneously no questions asked.

I would shoot somebody if I had to deal with a pc day in and day out. Havent touched one in about 10 years and I dont plan on ever using one again.

I'd say 99% of people in my field use macs as well.

And yeah, it does "just work".
S.Loyer
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3/26/2012 1:09am
I would say any game developer at my school uses PC with Linux Set up.
Very rare I ever see one on a mac (Unless its Mobile game development for iOS)
Maybe 90% on PC with Windows 7% on Windows 3% Apple

If it's Web Design/Development - Graphic
90% Apple - 7% Windows 3% Linux.
3/26/2012 11:26am
PC with LINUX for me.. Mac, to me is overrated, overpriced, well marketed stuff. They are good for general users but I don't think MOST power...
PC with LINUX for me..
Mac, to me is overrated, overpriced, well marketed stuff. They are good for general users but I don't think MOST power users prefer them. Their os is Unix based which is the big brother to Linux so why not just run a custom Linux os? that's just my .02
kdx man wrote:
Cause most people dont want to deal with a customized setup. I work in a professional situation and I want to walk in to work, turn...
Cause most people dont want to deal with a customized setup.

I work in a professional situation and I want to walk in to work, turn the computer on, and go. If we need tech support it gets handled almost instantaneously no questions asked.

I would shoot somebody if I had to deal with a pc day in and day out. Havent touched one in about 10 years and I dont plan on ever using one again.

I'd say 99% of people in my field use macs as well.

And yeah, it does "just work".
different strokes for different folks, right?
I personally prefer PC/Linux. Some prefer Mac. that's the beautiful thing about life.

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