One of my friends wants a Mac... Should I convince him otherwise?
147 replies, posted
One of my buddies is having problems with his laptop. Somehow he got a rouge antivirus program on his laptop and now he's convinced Windows is horrible, virus prone, shit quality, etc. I tried fixing it, but man, this thing is buried deep. It went away for about a month and then came back. I am about to format his drive. He has nothing much on there anyway.
He said that Macs are less virus prone (people who write viruses feel Mac users suffer enough, ha), and a better build quality. I tried telling him that the hardware is completely underpowered for the price. He then said it doesn't matter how much they cost because his father will get reimbursed 100 percent for any new computer purchase.
He said that he's going to get a bunch of his Macfag friends to try to debate with me why Macs are better than PC's. Now I know for a fact that Macs have their own share of software and hardware problems. The problem is, I'm no expert on them and I don't know how I can win in a debate with a bunch of hipsters who refute all logic.
Anyone got some advice? Should I just let him get a Mac? I know some users here swear by them. I also want to hear your side.
Also, this is not a Windows or Mac bashing thread. Any arguments must be valid based on factual, documented information and/or user-based experience.
No, dont convince him its his own decision
I'm more of a Windows user myself, but trying to discuss why Windows is better than Mac to a person that's already convinced is usually pointless (aka "won't lead anywhere"). In my opinion, it's all a matter of taste really. It's his money and I'm sure he would like it whatever choice he's making really. It's not that OSX sucks to much that it's not even usable. Some prefer it, some don't. I'm one of them who prefer Windows, but I really have nothing against Mac OSX, aside from the stupid prices.
For that reason you should just clean up his laptop and see if hes happy
And tell him to just not download any antivirus crap and just install MSE
What does he intend to do with it, and does he do anything resource intensive?
If price isn't an issue and he likes them, then why not? Apple's customer support is pretty decent now and the build quality of new Mac computers is better than it used to be.
[QUOTE=bootv2;28999018]well, if he is going to get 100% reimbursed, then it isn't really a matter of price, he could buy a windows computer for the same sake.
if I would choose a windows build or a mac build, I would definitely choose for the mac build, if it weren't for the money.
it's not that I like mac that much. I just like the look of macs, and if the price isn't going to differ, I would just buy one and put windows on it for my own use.
but it's his choice, if he likes macs, let him get one. he's pretty damn right about [b]mac being way less virus-prone.[/b] and it simpler and harder to fuck up.[/QUOTE]
[img]http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50316_69932574414_6341971_n.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=Djessey;28999061][img_thumb]http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50316_69932574414_6341971_n.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]
It's true, though? It may not be anything inherent with the design of them, but there are less than 100 viruses/worms that work for OS/X. (This is even if you count each variant as a new one, if not, that number would probably fall under 20.)
[QUOTE=Master117;28998834]He then said it doesn't matter how much they cost because [b]his father will get reimbursed 100 percent for any new computer purchase.[/b]
[/QUOTE]
Let him get the mac.
[QUOTE=Kagrenak;28999084]It's true, though? It may not be anything inherent with the design of them, but there are less than 100 viruses/worms that work for OS/X. (This is even if you count each variant as a new one, if not, that number would probably fall under 20.)[/QUOTE]
Getting a virus or not is mostly based on the activity of Common Sense 2011
[QUOTE=Djessey;28999107]Getting a virus or not is mostly based on the activity of Common Sense 2011[/QUOTE]
Okay, go to a site that is normally completely secure that has recently been infected with a worm that creates a drive-by download using a zero-day exploit.
Go tell me then how your common sense faired.
There's nothing wrong with letting your friend make his own decision, is there?
[QUOTE=bootv2;28999018]well, if he is going to get 100% reimbursed, then it isn't really a matter of price, he could buy a windows computer for the same sake.
if I would choose a windows build or a mac build, I would definitely choose for the mac build, if it weren't for the money.
it's not that I like mac that much. I just like the look of macs, and if the price isn't going to differ, I would just buy one and put windows on it for my own use.
but it's his choice, if he likes macs, let him get one. he's pretty damn right about mac being way less virus-prone. and it simpler and harder to fuck up.[/QUOTE]
Well, the only reason they are not as prone to viruses is because of their market share. Think of it this way. Why would an arsonist burn a building down in the middle of no-where where they would get no attention when they can burn a building down in the middle of a busy city?
It is true that the OS is locked a bit tighter than Windows, but this alone would not stop a determined coder to work a way around it. I mean look at Sony. Their shit was locked down tighter than a 12 year old [sp]back pain[/sp], but people found out how to circumvent it because the amount of publicity it would make and also because Sony were being dicks.
If and when Mac gains a higher market share, I guarantee that there will be more exploits targeting Mac.
Convince him to get one if anything, as the battery life is superb, the aluminium is so sexy, and it'll outperform, in most cases, windows laptops in the same price range.
[QUOTE=Kagrenak;28999152]Okay, go to a site that is normally completely secure that has recently been infected with a worm that creates a drive-by download using a zero-day exploit.
Go tell me then how your common sense faired.[/QUOTE]
Only really shitty sites would not notice shirt like that. I don't visit weird links or websites. And if a site I visit would have a virus or some shit they would eventually find out and announce it on their site giving me the opportunity to remove it.
The OS's design has not so much with it being less virus prone as you may think, if OSX was the market majority then we'd be talking about how strong Windows is against viruses. It's like shooting, if you want a better chance of hitting them you aim for their center of mass (Windows), because the head (OSX) presents a smaller target and you're less likely to hit. It can be compromised with time and perseverance, but there is little benefit to using so since OSX users are a minority.
How about if I suggest getting a Windows based laptop for higher secs and install the OSX Snow Leopard on it with Boot Camp so he can have Win 7 and Mac OS?.
Try to explain to him that Windows is as secure and intelligent as the person using it. Try to teach him common sense when browsing and how to install an antivirus and do virus scans. His computer illiteracy is the reason why Windows has been such a horrible experience for him (but don't put it like that :v:).
I feel that installing OSX on a superior Windows machine is kind of self defeating but its all a matter of personal preference I guess.
I haven't had any virus, trojans, or spyware in over six years, and I'm a Windows user.
Ask him why he wouldn't pick a high spec windows PC instead
Then ask him if he's aware of the low software support for Mac, etc.
In other words, if he genuinely prefers it then there's nothing wrong with him getting one.
The one thing Windows users don't get is how good Macs are until they actually use them themselves.
I was totally anti-apple before I got my Air, now I feel I've seen the light. I even rolled with the whole stupid 'hardware underpowered for the price' debate.
[editline]5th April 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=wewt!;28999462]Ask him why he wouldn't pick a high spec windows PC instead
Then ask him if he's aware of the low software support for Mac, etc.
In other words, if he genuinely prefers it then there's nothing wrong with him getting one.[/QUOTE]
'Low software support'?
Pretty much everything works on mac unless your a H4RDC0R3 GAM3R, or Windows Programmer. The guy doesn't sound like any of these things.
Mac's are fine, I have one, I like it. Doesn't mean I didn't pay too much for it, but I do like it. I also have a Windows computer, which I also like. Let him make his decisions
If this is his honest belief: [quote]now he's convinced Windows is horrible, virus prone, shit quality, etc[/quote]
He doesn't deserve a computer.
[QUOTE=SCopE5000;28999494]The one thing Windows users don't get is how good Macs are until they actually use them themselves.
I was totally anti-apple before I got my Air, now I feel I've seen the light. I even rolled with the whole stupid 'hardware underpowered for the price' debate.
[editline]5th April 2011[/editline]
'Low software support'?
Pretty much everything works on mac unless your a H4RDC0R3 GAM3R, or Windows Programmer. The guy doesn't sound like any of these things.[/QUOTE]
I have used macs but i can't navigate on them. I have tried many times but I'm a PC dude.
Let him do it. I don't mind Windows, but it's people who hate Apple and will do everything within their power just to convert one guy onto a different OS even if it means sacrifice to himself that get me annoyed. I know a lot of people like that and it pisses a lot of people off. Let him choose.
Don't be an OS Nazi.
Macs take appearance over functionality.
[QUOTE=bootv2;29000080]how? it is a beautiful OS, but what functionality did they take from you?[/QUOTE]
It feels really closed in, in my opinion. There are so many things that Windows can run and Mac's cannot. I'm not saying Macs are terrible, but for a frequent computer user it just doesn't have what it takes to be an everyday machine. Sure, you can check your email, and browse the web, but there are just things missing from it.
Also, if he can get whatever computer for free, you could get a much much better Windows running machine.
My old PC was in a pretty fucked up state some time ago, with antivirus supposedly being infected and thing.
Anyway, as for your friends laptop, I'd suggest trying to work with [b]Microsoft Security Essentials[/b] and for example [b]CCleaner[/b] to get rid of the old antivirus and to clean it up.
MSE software itself free'd my old PC from it's state, so try that one out first. Then show your friend how a 1500-budget PC is a whole lot more awesome than a mac, when configured right etc.
Then again I don't know what your friend does with a computer. If he likes playing maxed out games, mostly all of them, but not necessarily even often, PC is the way to go. Plus surfing the web, homework, etc works on a PC
[QUOTE=LieutenantLeo;29000157]It feels really closed in, in my opinion. There are so many things that Windows can run and Mac's cannot. I'm not saying Macs are terrible, but for a frequent computer user it just doesn't have what it takes to be an everyday machine. Sure, you can check your email, and browse the web, but there are just things missing from it.
Also, if he can get whatever computer for free, you could get a much much better Windows running machine.[/QUOTE]
I see this argument a lot. I have an apple laptop for school and a windows desktop from before and honestly, other than games, there's really nothing that I can't do on both and I usually end up doing whatever I need to on the one that's already powered on rather than switching between them (except CS coursework which I do on my laptop just so that its all consolidated). Do you have any examples?
I can't name any programs that don't have a clone for mac off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are some. I'm not going to lie, I'd probably get a mac if it wasn't for the ridiculous price.
Since you can run Windows natively on a MAC the only reason they're bad is price. All laptops have integrated proprietary hardware. All all in ones have the same limitations.
He's just wasting money you can get into the operating system differences but really hipsters just use the web browser, Microsoft Office and Photoshop.
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