Macbook vs. PC notebook

[Shatterer]

Well, I'm heading off to University this year and I'll be buying myself a new computer. Recently, I've been trying to decide whether or not I should buy myself the 13" macbook or stick with the traditional PC notebook. Also, with the recent release of Vista, making the decision was complicated even further. I heard that Mac computers are more secure & stable. Also, it would still be possible to run software designed for Windows on Macs correct?

I'd like to know which is better to buy before I start spending.

[Gwendylyn]

I don't suggest getting a Mac with the plan to run Windows applications on it. It's a great way to be inefficient.

The amount of abuse the ugly Thinkpads take is a testimount to how long they can last you.

[Shatterer]

I don't suggest getting a Mac with the plan to run Windows applications on it. It's a great way to be inefficient.

The amount of abuse the ugly Thinkpads take is a testimount to how long they can last you.

Well, I thought Macs can now run Windows programs because of their Intel chips...I don't know much about computers but I thing I read that somewhere.

[Gwendylyn]

Well, I thought Macs can now run Windows programs because of their Intel chips...I don't know much about computers but I thing I read that somewhere.

Aye, but as far as I know that requires dual-booting a Windows OS and the Mac OS. If you are going to dual-boot just to use windows on a Mac, I'd just go with getting a PC instead of sacrificing the harddrive space and the cost of having both.

[Niccolo Machiavelli]

I'd go for a PC notebook - the only reason for the macs stability is the fact that they're basically all the same (there's a very limited variability of possible system configurations) and the only reason for the security is the fact that noone has one - with everyone and his dog going for macs nowadays, the latter will soon change.

A decent PC notebook offers better performance for less money and if it's not some weird notebook assembled in a garage, it'll be stable - and security? I guess the main security flaw PCs have today are their users.

and in case you feel insecure about your own responsibility on a windows system, you still could resort to the niche of Linux...

[belson]

- Not all applications made for windows run on a mac. Many do, but not all.
- Mac using Intel chips has nothing to do with software compatibility. It might have something to do with dual booting, but I don't recommend that unless you really know what you're doing (or really want to learn the hard way ).
- Macs are safer because of two reasons: 1. Nobody writes viruses for them because they have no reason to hate Apple and/or not enough people use Macs to make it worth their while. 2. It's not worth their while because Apple controls the hardware, making it much much easier to write secure code, and harder for hackers to write malicious code.
- If you actively maintain your PC, it is just as safe as a Mac. This means running spyware, malware, and virus checkers periodically. It also means having a firewall in place, and not sending personal data over an unencrypted wireless network. (in other words, if you're at Starbucks, don't check your bank statement)

Macs are great for creative types (their creative suite destroys anything Microsoft puts out) that don't mind missing out on a few applications or games that won't work on their machine and don't need to have control over the hardware. All Macs nowadays come with Microsoft Office built in, so that saves some money buying that software.