[zero1207]

i'm still weighing my options between pc's and apples, my vaio has 46 processes running in the background on xp and i think most of them are just things sony runs for kicks, but i'm not that computer savvy so that might be irrational. does anyone know that after 6 months or later if your apples start running alot of things in the background that the user doesn't know about, i'm pretty sure that is why my vaio is acting slowly, i've heard its a common windows problem and wanted to know if apple had the same thing going on. thanks

[f1000]

I haven't noticed anything similar on any of my PowerBooks so far, but I tend not to install too many shareware programs on my computer.

[electric monk]

Mac OS X runs all kinds of programs in the background. But they are all system required programs. The most CPU time they generally use is ~1% although it can climb to ~10% briefly, higher use also occurs more often when using system graphical effects such as Expose.
(On a 1.33 GHz G4 12" PB)

And OS X doesn't run non-essential/system programs in the background without your permission.

You're probably right that your Vaio is running programs in the background without your permission. Sony installed software is normally part of your start up items.
Various spyware also consumes vast amounts of resources depending on its harmfulness.

I'd suggest a Mac (quick primer; company is Apple Computers, the computers are Macs, operating system is Mac OS X "Panther" (10.3), the next upgrade (think Windows 95 to 98) is "Tiger" 10.4) simply because viruses and spyware are not an issue. Full Stop.

OS X is also way better at multi tasking so if you have lots of windows and programs open OS X handles it nicely while Windows stability goes way down.


If you need some help a Windows forum would probably be better, but here's what I remember from the last time I had to fix a Windows computer (oddly enough a Sony desktop Vaio).

Install a firewall. I recommend ZoneAlarm. The free edition is fine.
Then download AdAware and Spybot search and destroy. Run them both. Let them both run at next startup and check the Spybot advanced section for the list of programs that start when your computer turns on. Anything that doesn't look safe, disable.

Make sure to read the notices that ZoneAlarm pops up about programs trying to access the Internet and only allow programs that you need to access the net.

Oh yeah, if you're using Internet Explorer dump it in favour of Mozilla's Firefox.


Or just a buy a Mac and save yourself all this trouble and worry because despite all of the above steps bad things are still more likely to occur if you're using Windows then using OS X without all those extra steps.


Hope some of that helps.

[zero1207]

thats what everyone keeps telling me but the only things i have added are itunes and microsoft office. i'm really good about keeping my computer virus and ad free but i can't figure out where all this stuff is coming from. someone told me that sony, hp, dell and such all add their own stuff like updates and offers that slow windows down alot and the only way to get around it is make your own computer (not an option for my semi-computer illiterate self), or get an apple, which doesn't do all of that because it makes everything that comes with the computer basically. maybe that might help someone better understand what i'm talking about.

[johnpop]

Originally posted by zero1207:
i'm still weighing my options between pc's and apples, my vaio has 46 processes running in the background on xp and i think most of them are just things sony runs for kicks, but i'm not that computer savvy so that might be irrational. does anyone know that after 6 months or later if your apples start running alot of things in the background that the user doesn't know about, i'm pretty sure that is why my vaio is acting slowly, i've heard its a common windows problem and wanted to know if apple had the same thing going on. thanks

If you want to get your speed back get a plain-old windows cd and back up your stuff, then insert in the cd, reboot, and format, then reinstall.

You will probaly need some driver's and what not so having another computer handy will probaly be necesary.

Although, I've never done this on a laptop so it may not be as straight forward as a desktop, but you should look into it.

[jamil5454]

Windows spyware and viruses do not execute natively under OS X - it is impossible. So you won't have to worry about that.

As for having a bunch of processes slowing your computer down, that is generally against the ideas of any Unix. Unix does a fantastic job at regulating memory usage and this helps to keep your system in peak performance. When I used my XP box as my main computer, I'd have to reformate about once a month due to runaway spyware and untrackable start-up programs. With OS X, I've had my iBook since October and there's not even the slightest trace of an incoming reformat. There is nothing like the feeling of browsing the internet and checking email without the constant worry of attracting spyware and viruses. If you want to experience what life will be like once you get Mac, you might want to try Linux on your PC. The only difference is that Macs are waayyyy easier to use and at the same time they run many commercial software titles. I'd rather quit using computers alltogether than continuously use Windows. Temporarily is fine.