• We should now be fully online following an overnight outage. Apologies for any inconvenience, we do not expect there to be any further issues.

Mac vs. PC

Page 13 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Numenorean

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2008
4,442
1
0
Not that big of a deal IRL now. I'm a college student, and there are kids with Macs EVERYWHERE. Haven't heard a single complaint about viruses, nor have I seen anyone run one. Running an anti-virus now would potentially fuck up more things than prevent because of false positives.

You really think that false positives are that big of a problem?

I do run an AV on my laptop since I connect to unknown networks and share files with others, etc. on the laptop. It hasn't ever come up with any warnings at all though and it still runs fine.
 

corwin

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2006
8,644
9
81
I'm not prepared to trust your word, and take that as irrefutable proof. :)

Wow...you'll trust that someone breaking into your home isn't there to cause you or anyone else serious harm but you won't take his word that his computer is clean? DAMN you are seriously messed up...
 

Obsy

Senior member
Apr 28, 2009
389
0
0
You really think that false positives are that big of a problem?

I do run an AV on my laptop since I connect to unknown networks and share files with others, etc. on the laptop. It hasn't ever come up with any warnings at all though and it still runs fine.
More than the number of Macs that actually get viruses. Kids these days torrent shit left and right and they'll start getting warnings for keygens and cracks.
 

sourceninja

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2005
8,805
65
91
MAC users need to get used to it as it is only going to get worse:

http://macviruscom.wordpress.com/apple-malware-descriptions/

I'm sorry, I tried not to say this, but it really get's under my skin.....

Apple computers are not MAC. Mac is not a acronym.

Also, while there are more viruses being reported in the news for osx, most (just like on windows) require the user to actually download and install them. This means that anti-virus is really not needed if you have half a brain.

Good osx users are just like good linux users. We don't run as admin/root, we dont' download files from sources we don't trust, and we keep our systems patched.
 

corwin

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2006
8,644
9
81
More than the number of Macs that actually get viruses. Kids these days torrent shit left and right and they'll start getting warnings for keygens and cracks.

So kids stealing software might get false positives and your answer is to do it on a Mac so they can steal better? Maybe if they bought a PC they would have the money left to actually buy it?
 

Numenorean

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2008
4,442
1
0
More than the number of Macs that actually get viruses. Kids these days torrent shit left and right and they'll start getting warnings for keygens and cracks.

I don't think that keygens and cracks and stuff like that which is illegal is of any concern if an AV program detects them. If that's the only "problem" with false positives, then that isn't much of a problem.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,645
6,527
126
i'd be willing to put money that most people in here bashing mac's and OSX have never even used one extensively.

it is true that the anti-mac fanboys are worse than the mac fanboys now a days.

well more like anti-apple fanboys are worse than the apple fanboys.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
i'd be willing to put money that most people in here bashing mac's and OSX have never even used one extensively.

it is true that the anti-mac fanboys are worse than the mac fanboys now a days.

well more like anti-apple fanboys are worse than the apple fanboys.

The next post sponsored by one of the few Windows fanboys/Apple haters who claims to know everything about Macs, too.

;)

MotionMan
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,645
6,527
126
The next post sponsored by one of the few Windows fanboys/Apple haters who claims to know everything about Macs, too.

;)

MotionMan

it just amazes me how the fanboys/anti-fanboys have such a hard time grasping the concept that different people have different needs and wants, and that every platform satisfies everyone's needs.
 

postaled

Senior member
Feb 20, 2007
254
0
0
Everyone that uses technology just needs to learn that no system is ever secure and Windows/Mac users can get along pretty damn well without any issues as long as they aren't doing stupid things.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
it just amazes me how the fanboys/anti-fanboys have such a hard time grasping the concept that different people have different needs and wants, and that every platform satisfies everyone's needs.

I agree. I do not bash or tout either as a whole.

Windows is mostly required for my line of work (though I use a MacBook with Windows running in Parallels, but most people in my office could not handle that and it kind of defeats the purpose of having a Mac for most).

Macs are good for many non-computer types (like my wife, parents and uncle), but are also favored by many very techie (like my bro-in-law) and artsy types.

Though I do not bash either, if ignorant people bash Macs, I do like to point out the mistakes in their logic.

Can't we all just get along?

MotionMan
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,645
6,527
126
I agree. I do not bash or tout either as a whole.

Windows is mostly required for my line of work (though I use a MacBook with Windows running in Parallels, but most people in my office could not handle that and it kind of defeats the purpose of having a Mac for most).

Macs are good for many non-computer types (like my wife, parents and uncle), but are also favored by many very techie (like my bro-in-law) and artsy types.

Though I do not bash either, if ignorant people bash Macs, I do like to point out the mistakes in their logic.

Can't we all just get along?

MotionMan

i have a mac laptop (hackintosh), a windows desktop, and a linux desktop (at work). they all do their job just perfectly.
 

Inferno0032

Golden Member
Mar 26, 2007
1,107
0
71
Whenever I see a thread like this, I usually stay away since inevitably pisses me off how stupid people can be, so let me get this straight.

Half of the thread is justifying double the cost for a trackpad/expose? Wow, okay. I think I'd live with a $20 mouse and pocket the extra benjamins.

The other half is dealing with necktard and his (I hope for the love of humanity) troll posts which lead to the same half-assed, near retarded and overly redundant arguments.

I have used PCs since I can remember, have had two infections, ever. Both were due to me risking stupid software, I knowingly took the risk and paid for it.

I'm in college too, and there are tons of college students that use PCs too, and how many have I heard got malware? None. I'd know if they did, I somehow found myself to be the "computer kid" quite quickly, and if someone had trouble they'd undoubtedly come to me. I forget to scan for months (no active AV software), and when I do (using a barrage of scans) the most harmful thing I've come up with were cookies, and neckbeard couldn't be persuaded if I came to his house and did everything he wanted me to, and would claim some ridiculous thing about how I fabricated the test results. The only infection I've dealt with that wasn't due to someone not updating java for years and something got in via a vulnerability it had.
Neckbeard is the type of person who gives Apple supporters a bad name, because of his utterly retarded logic and arguments. User preference is fine, no hurt in that, but come on, how thick-skulled can you be?

Here's my thoughts on the matter. Arguments against the OS' are basically mute, and open to user preference. Some OS' may come forth for particular needs such as work requirements, command line usage, versatility, etc. Pick what works best for you. The issue I have is that I can't justify twice the cost for the same computing performance, or to be nickel and dimed on things like a display port adapter or $80 when my power cable inevitably frays due to their form>function design on not reinforcing the cable joints.

Apple makes fantastic products, I've never said otherwise. I can just get what I need, have no trouble using programs I'd like to, play games, etc without all the glam and social status you pay for for premium externals/design, and at roughly half the price for comparable components. The fact that I can buy an Acer knowing they're making 2.5 percent profit, or willingly handing Apple their 20.5 percent "Apple Tax" and let them get rich turns me off as well.

Fanboyism is annoying no matter which way you swing, because it inevitably leads to half-retarded, meaningless arguments, or just plain made-up BS.

EDIT-
And I would like to thank MotionMan and purebeast0 for being a beacon of sanity.
 
Last edited:

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
So kids stealing software might get false positives and your answer is to do it on a Mac so they can steal better? Maybe if they bought a PC they would have the money left to actually buy it?

No. I won't, I'll assume nothing, I'll instantly know that I don't know why they are there.
 

busydude

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2010
8,793
5
76
Neckbeard is the type of person who gives Apple supporters a bad name, because of his utterly retarded logic and arguments. User preference is fine, no hurt in that, but come on, how thick-skulled can you be?

This.. absolutely this. Good post BTW.
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
fanboys? so anyone that runs a windows pc is a fanboy?

I didn't say that.

I'm not a "fanboy" for windows. I simply use what works best for what I do.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with using OS X if that is what works for you. I don't care for it and Apple is overpriced and I can get more for my money with a PC, so I do.

But you saying that I have to have all these extra virus/adware software, have to do some sort of "maintenance" and requires constant reformatting just because I run windows is like me saying that you have to fuck goats in order to use OS X.

Fair enough, I didn't say you were a fanboy.

i anxiously await the day a apple fanboy pisses off the wrong person/group and that person/group decides to write as much quality malicious code as they possibly can to torture apple users off their high horse and realize that the only reason they dont get targeted is because the ppl doing it are usually in it for money, and not because its a neigh impossible task. its easy to know what platform to target nomatter what your end goal is, lets see osx or windows hmmmmmm i wonder which one to write this for

CFT0505_013737170C9.png

OK?
 

zokudu

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2009
4,364
1
81
my fault, I wasn't clear enough.

if you go back and read the post I was replying to, you'd see by his logic Redhat "isn't more opensource than windows is".

But it is. His point is that OSX is not open source because while it is built upon Open Source components it requires proprietary closed source components to utilize those Open Source components. Red Hat does not do this. If you download CentOS you are getting Red Hat Enterprise Linux for free. The full thing minus the Red Hat branding. What you are paying for from Red Hat is is support. Theres no hidden smoke and mirrors with RHEL preventing others from using it.
 

corwin

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2006
8,644
9
81
No. I won't, I'll assume nothing, I'll instantly know that I don't know why they are there.

You assume things every day of your life, you just assume wrong...

Windows users need to get used to the fact that it's Mac, not MAC, it's not an acronym for anything it's an abbreviation of Macintosh.

More silly word play, of course when you have no better arguments what are you left with?
 

dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
37,374
33,019
136
It's hilarious that Pecktard thinks it is difficult to avoid getting a virus on a Windows machine without using AV software. :D
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
neckbeard is seriously trolling the fuck out of all of you.
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
You assume things every day of your life, you just assume wrong...

I do assume things, but when it comes to taking a life I make no assumptions.

More silly word play, of course when you have no better arguments what are you left with?

I have better arguments, it's just important that people realise this.