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chipster1 · Dec 19, 2005, 01:14 AM

I am a newbie to Apple.I have used microsoft xp for a few years and this has motiviated me to look to Apple. I have just purchased a Powerbook 17", due to arrive in a few days but after reading about several complaints people have about it, I am beginning to have second thoughts about purchasing it. I bought Apple because I thought they had an excellent reputation and produced a quality product. I hope that certainly is the case. I am seeking any assist about what I can do/get for the laptop to keep it in tip top shape. Do I need any antispyware or antivirus programs. ?zone alarm? I don't know if they have a version for apple? U would appreciate any info that will keep my powerbook purring. Thanks

ibook_steve · Dec 19, 2005, 01:27 AM

If you are taking any complaints you may have read here as gospel, forget it. People typically post when they have problems, not when everything is running smootly. Trust us, you've made the right choice. There is no Mac spyware or trojans. You can get antivirus software, but there are few if any viruses that affect Mac OS X. The biggest worry is running Microsoft Office macros, and even they are rare. I don't know what zone alarm is, but there is a built-in firewall for added protection and most services are turned off by default. The thing about Powerbooks is that you don't have to worry about all this stuff. Just use it and have fun!

Steve

tooki · Dec 19, 2005, 01:42 AM

There are currently no known Mac OS X viruses, trojan horses, worms, adware, spyware, or other malware in the wild. It is possible that this could change, but there's been little indication that Mac OS X is the target of any malware writers at the moment.

It is possible for a Mac user to send a file that is infected with a PC virus to a PC user, however your Mac cannot become infected. You'd have to send on the file manually. Most (all?) Mac antivirus software will also scan for Windows viruses to prevent this. That said, I'd just skip antivirus. I do.

For most users, the integrated firewall provides more than adequate protection against potential internet threats, though an unprotected Mac is still vastly less vulnerable than an unprotected Windows machine.

What you might want to consider is DiskWarrior, the absolute best Mac disk utility out there. Though Mac OS X 10.3 and later are MUCH better at preventing disk corruption than earlier versions, it's still a good thing to run DiskWarrior now and then to keep things smooth.

Beyond that, don't mess with anything. Mac OS X is pretty much self-maintaining. It automatically optimizes the disk (defragmentation, "hot file clustering", etc) well enough for most users, and does other routine maintenance automatically in the background. Further measures should only be taken if the system is malfunctioning.

tooki

chipster1 · Dec 19, 2005, 09:06 AM

THANKS Steve an Tooki, I have spent half of my computer lifetime updating antivirus, antispyware, etc, etc, etc. It sounds like there is a BIG improvement in store for me. Yes, I guess I'll pick up the DiskWarrior just in case. Thanks for your assist.

pete · Dec 19, 2005, 09:38 AM

Yes, you're in for a treat : ) Seriously, I spent the whole summer and fall on a thinkpad and although I loved the hardware, I spend at leat 50% of my time troubleshooting things, updatinf antivirus/spyware software and being annoyed with windows xp. Granted, I've used mostly macs all my life, but I really wanted it to work because I needed to use speech recognition software not available on the mac. At the end of the day, my hands and arms hurt more than ever since it was impossible to troubleshoot using voice alone! I figured that going back to a powerbook would be the better solution. I did and I'm happy again.

I especially hated getting virus/spyware alerts: they're intrusive, scary and make me feel that I'm constantly being attacked and have to defend myself.

Enjoy!

jalisco555 · Dec 20, 2005, 05:55 AM

I have had my 17" PB for over 2 1/2 years now. I bought it after 18 months of Dell hell. It is far and away the best computer I've ever owned. I use it constantly and have not had a single problem. I have no antivirus program, no antispyware program and have encountered no trouble. As a consequence of my experience I bought PB's for my wife and for my college-age son as well as an IBook for my son in high school. I will never go back to Windows and neither will you, I promise.

The only downside of the 17" is that it is a bit awkward to fly with. The upside, though, is that flight attendants frequently come up to me to chat when they see my laptop. It's a real eyecatcher. This NEVER happened to me when I had the Dell. (Please don't tell my wife, OK?).

rolfus · Dec 20, 2005, 07:21 AM

sometimes i want windows and PC hardware back again, cause i miss the failures in it. i spended so much time to protect my old pc and now i dont spend any time on protecting and update and organize things, its all the anoying work i miss rigt now.
but then again it is nice to have a supersystem that do the annoying thinfs itself and let me care about important things

postive things about a mac:
it just works
negative thing about mac:
it makes you miss the troubles with the pc

chipster1 · Dec 21, 2005, 10:46 AM

THANKS EVERYONE...I am beginning to feel more comfortable with my decision. I checked my order status at Applestore yesterday and my Powerbook is due to arrive today, I hope. I presently have a Dell 8100, it has been ok but all the updating with WindowsXP, and the antivirus,antispy....etc, ugh...there was barely any time to do mywork.And you are absolutely right , Iwas a novice when I got puter and didn't know a thing. I have managed to resurrect my computer when I was told by Dell I would have to reinstall the OS. Will still continue to use my Dell at times but I am really looking forward to a new experience with Apple. This is a GREAT forum. I really enjoy it. Thanks

olePigeon · Dec 21, 2005, 05:34 PM

Here's my tip. If you have a kid in school, or you're in school, or you at least know SOMEONE who's in school, buy the Office Student & Teacher edition. It's exactly the same as Office XP/2003/2004, except that it's cheaper and the license allows you to legally install it on up to 3 computers for other other students.

So you're essentially getting 3 copies of Office for half the price.

olePigeon · Dec 21, 2005, 05:41 PM

Oh! And my other suggestions for your new PowerBook, you're going to want to visit:

www.radtech.us <-- Go here for a ScreensavRz and a Sleevz. By default they say "PowerBook," but you can get custom logos now.
www.tucano.it <-- Go here for the coolest and best protective PowerBook gear. Even has matching accessories poutch!

chipster1 · Dec 21, 2005, 11:30 PM

Appple is offering 50% of Microsoft Office til ?Jan 11,2006 for anyone who buys an Apple. I wonder why the big discount...Is Microsoft ready to come out with a newer version? I would prefer to wait if that was going to be the case but I haven't been able to find any relevant info regarding this. Also, could I create and download files and transfer them to my Dell and WindowsXP to print? I am sorry if this sounds too basic but I am trying. If you think this is a good deal, I would appreciate hearing your opinion. Thanks

brokenjago · Dec 22, 2005, 02:32 AM

No new version of Office for Macintosh will be coming out any time soon, I can pretty much guarentee that.

FYI, There is no such thing as an "Apple" (speaking in computer terms, not the fruit.) Apple Computer sells Macintosh PCs

.

As to your second question, the answer is yes.

olePigeon · Dec 24, 2005, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by chipster1

Appple is offering 50% of Microsoft Office til ?Jan 11,2006 for anyone who buys an Apple. I wonder why the big discount...Is Microsoft ready to come out with a newer version? ]I would prefer to wait if that was going to be the case but I haven't been able to find any relevant info regarding this.

There's no newer version coming out that I know of, however, it's almost January, you could just wait until Macworld (January 9th/10th). I don't know of any "Office 2006" for Mac yet, but it's possible Microsoft might announce it then. It's only a few weeks away.

[QUOTE=chipster1Also, could I create and download files and transfer them to my Dell and WindowsXP to print? I am sorry if this sounds too basic but I am trying. If you think this is a good deal, I would appreciate hearing your opinion. Thanks[/QUOTE]

Yes.