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8 reasons why a Mac is better than a PC

There are hundreds of reasons why Macs are better than PCs - they're more reliable and more creative for a start. PCAdvisor put together a definitive list of eight reasons as to why your next computer should be a Mac not a PC.

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pcadvisor.co.uk
Dnarbeis6232d ago

PC wins for games, Mac for design, music (dj's) and students

Theoneneo816231d ago

u can run any pc game on a mac...

zagibu6231d ago

Why is a Mac good for students? Also, why should games run at slideshow speeds on a Mac? You can get an iMac with an ATI HD4850 GPU. Install Windows, and you have a pretty decent gaming rig, capable of playing current games at reasonable resolutions and framerates.

xbollox6231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

nope: I bootcamp to XP on a macbook pro and i play L4D at full speed on core2 duo 2.6GHz with an nvidia GPU.

bootcamp is native, not virtualized (parallels / vmware)

i've been a die hard windows dude for years and then i gave mac and linux a try: i ain't going back!

there's no good reason to stick to windows anymore: times have changed, everything will soon happen in a browser, including gaming

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 6231d ago
user94220776232d ago

Agreed, Mac has much better design

SaiyanFury6232d ago

The claim that Macs are stable is a good one. They also claim that Macs are invulnerable to viruses and attacks. That is wrong. In a recent hacking competition, the Mac was hacked the fastest and it was within 5 seconds. The reason being that Macs have no security. Macs account for about 8-9% of the computing world, which is why very few people attack the Mac world. They aren't shielded against viruses and hack attacks, only because the Mac population accompanies so small of a percentage of the market. If hackers want to hit Macs, they are very vulnerable. iMacs are not invulnerable to viruses. They have no security. If someone wanted to introduce a virus, Macs have no defense against such an assault. The reason that Windows-based PCs are targeted is because Windows PCs are the mainstream. Windows users need to defend themselves against such attacks. If Macs were the mainstream, then they'd need to defend themselves as well.

Viper76231d ago

There are other things to note than just mainstream.

I dont know about Mac but if its anything like Linux, the way the system is built is way more secure than the the one windows uses. In windows, every program you have installed can do pretty much anything to your computer, while in Linux they seem to work seperatly from the main Os. Meaning that if a program would have a virus in it, it would only mess up the program it self. It could not do anything beyond that because it doesnt have root/admin rights.

Ofcourse its bossible to infect any linux mac computer with virus by giving the virus program root password, but then you can only blame your own stupidity.

In Linux (again dunno about MAC) its almost imbossible to get a virus if you only download files trough package manager. Why? because Package manager is somesort of aplication database hosted by the distributor. All the programs in there have been checked before made available.

Not to mention one of the strenght of open source, every1 can check the code. This means there every1 can report a programming mistake, virus or other malicious code and bossibly fix it.

So No, its not just the popularity of Windows that makes it the target for viruses, its the way it handles its software and the way its been designed.

Lifendz6231d ago

I've now decided to get a Mac. In the latest in what have become regular problems with my laptop, the plastic molding around the screen cracked living my screen seperated from the laptop itself in the right hand corner. Sucks bad cuz I just paid 200 bucks to have them fix the other hinge last year for the same problem!

Nope, no more dells, compaqs, HPs, or Toshibas. Macs are expensive but from what I hear the extra expense is so worth it. Plus who doesn't want to be hip and trendy? /joke

50CALheadshot6231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

tried the mac, g4, iphone, ipod itunes

its ok for the unique look.

i prefer something watercooled, overclocked and running xp or 7

notebook would be something small but powerful, from samsung or sony.sorry mac, im a fragger

i liked the black nano when it came out...it was awesome because it matched my black psp!!! but i gave it away and got the samsung p2, due to it having more functionality for the same price.

iphone was cool.then i got the omnia which i can tweak for days....
and then if i get tired of it i can flash the phone so it works like a completely different one...like the iphone or htc touch diamond pro. Then tweak it to my liking again.

I guess my point is the apples look nice, if youre into the whole white bubble thing. Though if youre looking for the most bang for your buck, i would avoid apple and stick with other great manufacturers

phosphor1126231d ago

Mac + Linux file systems are based off of Unix. Only real way to infect your computer is through ignorance.

Tony999Montana6231d ago

I relaise that you are not biased and you have attempted to give a fair opinion on the situation, but your facts are highly flawed. Firstly, what no-one seems to understand is the true definition of a virus. Viruses do not exist on Mac. That is indisputable. Trojans, exploits and other forms of malware do exist and are in the "wild" for anyone to stumble across. The fact is that Mac operating system is built a lot more secure than windows or Linux and there are less things that can be done on Mac due to certain limitations, such as how super-user works etc. That's why Window's users have to run memory eating apps which will make windows completely secure.

The hacking comp which you referred to is completely irrelevant to viruses, but yes the guy did find in an exploit in safair application, Not OSX, which he had prepared before the comp so the 5 seconds doesn't mean anything. In the same comp a sony vaio running vista was also hacked. The exploit which was found has obviously now been patched and no-one else has found anything, so how does that prove OS X to be insecure? Any malware on Mac is only effective to those stupid enough to enter there password usually anyway as application do now pertain the correct permissions.

INDIGO_CYCLOPS6231d ago

@ Lifendz

Let me send you a picture of my Macbook that has the cracks all around the edges - and no, there's no explanation for this, it just happened. It's ugly. Macs are not as well built as people think. People will just defend them to death. I know, I use both and while Mac's have advantages, they are not superior no matter what Steve Jobs, Apple store geniuses, artists, professionals, filmmakers, musicians, or writers say.

somekindofmike6231d ago

@ 50CALheadshot

disagree with you, the last reason I bought a macbook pro was for it's looks (they are nice, but I don't care about that) I bought it because it's industry standard in design industry, and this sort of environment where macs shine, with great creative software. yes there is also great creative software on PC too, but this is the industry macs are built for.

As a PC gamer or 'fragger' as you put it, there is no point in you owning a mac, but I think you just missed the point of a mac, it's not to just look pretty.

@ INDIGO_CYCLOPS

Agreed too, macs aren't as well built as people make out, my macbook pro casing is scratch and marked so badly, it is 3 years old now, and well built. but it's not as solid as people make out. although I did at one stage drop it on a stone floor, and that didn't leave a single mark or break anything, very strange.

I think the point is that the hardware is not 'superior' but the OS much more efficient and resource friendly when it comes to working with Apps such as Adobe Creative Suite. one of the reasons for this is because apple are more restrictive on customisation on the hardware. less compatibility issues. Of course, the lack of customisation results in higher prices, and it turns people off who like to tweak there systems, and I can perfectly understand that too.

wibble6231d ago

Anybody that downloads programs from torrent or warez sites can get a virus/trojan regardless of their OS.

This is where most PC viruses come from.

The mac isn't any safer. It just seems that way because its users can afford to buy their software and therefore are less likely to be infected by viri.

50CALheadshot6231d ago

your whole argument was about how the mac is NOT just aesthetic waste.

Yet you go and mention how macs are used mostly in the fashion industry? Of course they will choose the mac for the whole emo look, THATS WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT. LOOKS.

Your "CONCEPT" of apples market is misconstrued, your claims even sound foolish. IF macs were these grand electronics everyone claims they are, then all businesses would work off macs and it would be pc's that are invulnerable to viruses.
are macs used as servers? no!! for the price of a g5 i can get a server that completes double the work!! the only difference before was the cpus, but now apple is using intels. LOL.

I guess all those bubbles dont equal intelligence. I see all these people post here with alot of bubbles, and they think theyre smart or something. LOL wake up!! youre online

somekindofmike6231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

@ 50CALheadshot

First off, I never resorted to personally attacking you, which you have done so to me, I only corrected where I thought you went wrong!

There is a big difference between Fashion & Design industry, good design is good design is timeless. MacBook Pro's and Power Macs have had the same shell / casing for nearly 10 years, yet they don't look dated. Fashion can change multiple times a year. (i'm not saying that the casing won't look dated in another 10 years)

For example 'Emo' look which you mentioned, is a very recent scene, the styling for the apple has been around much longer.

All I did was mention why I have an Apple Mac, are you trying to tell me I'm wrong about this? I also know plenty of people who use Apple products begrudgingly, they don't want to walk around as one big 'apple advert' flashing out there iphone / ipod / macbook air. these are all pretty much fashion accessories.

At no stage did I say apples market was 'misconstructed' I only said it was not understood by you, who only concentrated on the looks of the brand, for someone who uses the product day in day out and doesn't give a damn what the product actually looks like it is very different. if I could have OS X without the apple logo shining out the back of the laptop screen i'd jump at the chance.

You are also naive to think that I associate the number of bubbles as a sign of my intelligence! the number of bubbles on N4G often refers to agreeing with the mass' and that definitely isn't apple.

I think you need to step back a second. I never would recommend that apple macs are the greatest computers ever to grace the earth and that everyone should own them, because they are not... apple cater to a very niche market with there computers, and it shows in there market share... people buy iPods to look cool, they don't spend £2k on a MacBook Pro too look cool, and if they do, then they obviously have more money then sense.

Arnon6231d ago

The day I get told that a mac is better than my pc is the day that I'm told I can open it up and do anything I want to it. Or better yet, am told that the Macbook Air is the most revolutionary thing ever conceived by mankind (lulz)

cherrypie6231d ago

Does anyone else just roll his eyes and laugh when they read:

"dont know about Mac but if its anything like Linux, the way the system is built is way more secure than the the one windows uses"

This site gives such a comment +4 Agree and 2 disagree? And the idiot saying such things has 8 bubbles?

What a joke.

FragMnTagM6231d ago

Supposed to catch these stupid flamebait articles?

tatical6231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

@SaiyanFury
"If someone wanted to introduce a virus, Macs have no defense against such an assault."

I could really pick apart your entire post, but I'll just post some links instead. BTW, OS X isn't kinda like Unix, it IS Unix with a nice graphic interface on top.
http://www.macobserver.com/...
http://gizmodo.com/5101337/...

----------------------------- ------------------------------ - ----------

@50CALheadshot
"are macs used as servers? no!!"

Yes they are, they just don't have a huge market share
http://www.apple.com/server...

----------------------------- ------------------------------ - ----------

My computers @ home:
1 PC running Vista 64
1 server running Windows server 2003 (about to be replaced with Linux or FreeBSD)
1 Sony Viao TR2 laptop running Ubuntu or PC-BSD 7.1 (I'm testing them out)
1 Macbook Pro with Leopard (I no longer boot into the Vista partition, but its still there)

btw, the #1 reason to have anti-virus software on a Mac is to protect Windows users - If I open an infected chain e-mail with my Mac its OK, but what if I forward it to a Windows user...

commodore646231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

It's sad to see so many mac apologists defending the nature and virtue of mac osx and its inherent unix core, stable performance, resistance to viruses blah blah..

Fact is, viruses, trojans, malware have predominantly been written with *ONLY* the pc architecture in mind.

The Mac OS is different, to be sure, but it will not hold up to any kind of mac-dedicated hacker.

The insignificant marketshare of macs has, in the past, made it an unattractive target for malicious hackers, who prefer to make the least effort for the most damage. Logically, they prefer the Windows platform.
Like an Island in the sea, protected by its remoteness, this has kept Macs safe, so far.

BUT, Macs have experienced a recent (relative) resurgence in popularity.
Case in point: Hackers are just now starting to target macs *specifically*.
http://n4g.com/NewsPending-...
One might say that as far as viruses and trojans go, the Mac's ship has just sailed into port!

If macs continue to gain marketshare (which is doubtful, given their pricing and the recession) the 'mac-specific' hackers will likely increase their *mac specific* hacking activity.

if/when that becomes the norm, we will see steadily increasing instances of Mac-only viruses/trojans, which quite ironically, will NOT affect the PC architecture.

That is just common sense there, no need for spin!

tatical6231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

@commodore64

I read the article, the first OS X trojan was a few years ago so the author must not know to much about Mac security.

Trojans exist for all operating systems - write malicious code, give it permission to run, & bad things happen.

But OS X trojans must be installed by the user (the password has to be typed in also), but many Windows boxes can be infected by simply plugging them into the internet (it happened to me ONCE during an installation, I simply unplugged & installed again). I've also seen PCs get viruses just by VISITING a web site. But I have yet to see a Mac with OS X become infected by merely connecting it to the internet or visiting a web site.

Small market share has little to do with it because OS X has been a target since day one. Being the author of the first OS X virus would get some serious bragging rights...

commodore646231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

@ ^^^

It seems you just went on a rant without addressing the issues I raised in my post. What's more is, you didn't read the article properly.

The author of the article in my post *isn't* saying this is the first mac trojan. Far from it. What the author is saying is that this is the first mac trojan written especially for the mac.

Yep.
This is the first trojan *just for the mac*.
It DOES NOT affect Windows machines.

That's a first!

Fact is, so far, the Mac *hasn't* been targeted, in any way shape or form that even begins to approach the level seen on the PC.
It is nothing to do with inherent mac security this or that...
It's just to do with the fact dedicated hackers haven't bothered with the mac.

Maybe, with increasing mac popularity, we'll see more mac problems?
Does this article herald a new, dark chapter for mac security?

So far the Mac has been lucky.
The mac is less popular with users and, by association, hackers.
If the mac were as popular as PCs were, you'd see similar security problems on the mac.

Dear Lord! It's so obvious!
You know it's true.

tatical6231d ago (Edited 6231d ago )

"It seems you just went on a rant without addressing the issues I raised in my post."

I thought the main issue in your post was the lack of attack on OS X because of the low market share. We only read about Mac attacks that are successful, not all of the failed attempts.

Apple's OS 9 had viruses, not as much as Windows but they were definitely there. OS X has about the same market share, but where are the "viruses"? The low market share simply theory doesn't hold up.

Just because there aren't viruses for OS X doesn't mean no one is working on them. The virus writer that achieves this will make major headlines

"The author of the article in my post *isn't* saying this is the first mac trojan."

That's a little hard to dispute when the tittle is: 'Apple Gets Its Own Trojan Viruses for the First Time'. I don't see how this trojan is any different from the others, they still work the same way.

commodore646230d ago

DUDE!

read my post!

The article is about the fact that this is specifically the first trojan geared for the MAC, without repercussions to windows users!

That's the whole point of the article and, despite your protests, the title encapsulates that very nicely.

Tony999Montana6230d ago

*Sigh*
Don't worry Tactical, at least I understand what you're saying, unlike commodore who seems to have no technical understanding whatsoever.. Trojans are not the same thing as a virus, which in turn is not the same thing as hacking. There are many trojans on Mac, although they are in nature not as effective as those built for windows in general. Viruses do not exist, in the wild, on Mac. End of.

and, commmodore, you can't make a trojan which works on both Mac and Windows, so I don't even know what point you're trying to make.

commodore646230d ago (Edited 6230d ago )

*sigh*

I see the mac-brigade has arrived once again.

It's so sad to see that you didn't understand my post, didn't read the article, but instead pushed your own point of view.

Here, the source article:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TEC...

Quote: "This Trojan horse program, dubbed the "iBotnet," has infected only a few thousand Mac machines, but it represents a step in the evolution of malicious computer software, Haley said."

Quote: "There's also some question as to whether it is the first botnet to target Mac. Others have targeted both PCs and Apple computers."

Whut? Did i hear that right?
A Trojan horse program to target just the mac? Others have targetted both PCs and apple computers? You mean to say that there DO exist trojan horse programs that target Mac and PCs?

Isn't that exactly what i said, above?

Tony, if you're going to call yourself an expert then at least TRY to stick to the facts of the story and leave the personal anecdotes and musings for after dinner.

tatical6230d ago (Edited 6230d ago )

First things first:
Number of Windows malware that can infect OS X: ZERO
Number of OS X malware that can infect Windows: ZERO
Number of malware that can infect both OSX and Windows: ZERO

commodore64, I challenge you to find ANY software, good or bad, that is capable of running on both Windows "AND" OS X. A text editor, media player, graphic software, trojan, I challenge you to find ANYTHING. It's obvious that you don't understand how OSs run software.

*Please note:
Microsoft Office has an OS X version & a Windows version, which are both incompatible with the other OS.

Running a Windows app (ANYTHING) on OS X is impossible, it's like trying to get a Wii game to run on a PS3, it ain't gonna happen (this really isn't the best example though, because the hardware is different & there are various layers of security). Just like consoles, the app would have to be ported over to work (AKA recompiled).

Tony999Montana knows exactly what he's talking about.

The quote:
"There's also some question as to whether it is the first botnet to target Mac. Others have targeted both PCs and Apple computers."

This statement is disputing that ibotnet is the first botnet to target OS X because other trojans are available for Windows, and OS X as well. He isn't saying that there are any particular trojans that'll work on either OS X or Windows. He could've been a bit clearer on that point.

As far as I can tell, I've disproved everything that you've said, in this post as well as the others.

You're still welcome to take on my challenge, but I'm letting you know right now, it'll be a fruitless effort...

Viper76230d ago (Edited 6230d ago )

"Does anyone else just roll his eyes and laugh when they read:

"dont know about Mac but if its anything like Linux, the way the system is built is way more secure than the the one windows uses"

This site gives such a comment +4 Agree and 2 disagree? And the idiot saying such things has 8 bubbles?

What a joke.
"

I had heard before that MAC uses similar file system as LINUX. This alone is a fact that the system might be more secure. You don't need to google much to see that try: Macs more secure than windows.
Not to mention that the virus and security problems on these system is still pretty close to none.

Joke in what way?

"Running a Windows app (ANYTHING) on OS X is impossible"

what about wine? its not an emulator but still makes the systems able to run windows code on the system and with impressive results so far.

"Anybody that downloads programs from torrent or warez sites can get a virus/trojan regardless of their OS.

This is where most PC viruses come from.

The mac isn't any safer. It just seems that way because its users can afford to buy their software and therefore are less likely to be infected by viri."

On Linux you dont really need to download anything from torrent or warez sites, most of the common day programs are available on package manager. Dis including commercial software. Does Mac have anything like this package manager?

+ Show (20) more repliesLast reply 6230d ago
uie4rhig6231d ago

macs can run windows without tooo much hassle.. but pc's require a lot of hassle to run mac.. so! we know who wins!

but macs are too expensive for me to consider for now lol

Viper76231d ago

"macs can run windows without tooo much hassle.. but pc's require a lot of hassle to run mac.. so! we know who wins!

but macs are too expensive for me to consider for now lol"

Windows is an operating system, Mac is a closed-computer. The best part of windows is that it can be ran in most computers without any trouble because of the hardware support. If PC cant run os X you cant blame the PC for it.

Think about it in a "console sense", you cant Run Xbox360:s operating system on Ps3, but you can run Linux on a Ps3. Does that make X360:s OS/GUI bad? No, its made for strictly X360 not for computers, not for rival systems.

somekindofmike6231d ago

The only reason normal PC's can't run OS X is because OS X is locked to apple hardware. Windows is not locked to any hardware. if apple were to remove the locks OS X could probably run on a much wider range of hardware, although then lots of compatibility issues would appear with wrong graphics cards / motherboards etc.

uie4rhig6231d ago

but because Apple said we don't mind (in the business sense you should read: "we will have more customers")

sloth4urluv6231d ago

Yes and No.
Despite apple laying out their own motherboards, they still use off the shelf parts (cpu, northbridge, southbridge, gpu, etc..). Windows is designed to run on a wide range of hardware, not as much as LINUX, but alot more than OSX.

I think it was a smart move for Macs to switch over to Intel. For me the biggest problem I have to switching to a Mac is compatibility. I know I can always dualboot over to windows, but there just isnt enough draw to OSX for me to want to switch. Constantly switching between boots is just too much of a pain in the ass for me, and I know in the end I would just end up using windows on pretty but overpriced hardware.

What Mac really needs is Native support from software developers. when I can get the software I need that allows me to us a Mac as a serious work and home entertainment computer I will switch.

edgeofblade6231d ago

Yeah, PC. Why would I want to run a Mac OS when I have a PC that works just fine. And it's the allegedly "broken" windows VISTA. Shouldn't my computer have electrocuted me and left me in a ditch by now?

uie4rhig6229d ago

yeah i guess you are right.. and about that dual boot.. a friend of mine showed me some random application that would run windows apps within mac OS without actually needing to boot into windows.. i don't remember what it was but it was pretty sweet.. much like Ubuntu portable in windows but with Windows being inside Mac OS

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 6229d ago
Kugar776231d ago

how many of these articles do we need? they all basically say the same

shadowghost7526231d ago

As many as theywant until they are failed for being dupes

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70°

Microsoft Gaming Revenue Drops 7% Year-on-Year, Content and Services Down 5%, Xbox Hardware Down 33%

Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.

Read Full Story >>
simulationdaily.com
Jin_Sakai25d ago (Edited 25d ago )

Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.

dveio25d ago

To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.

Jingsing24d ago

The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.

Tanktopmaster9224d ago

Once they re-evaluate exclusive all will be fine….

S2Killinit24d ago

Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.

Jingsing24d ago

15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.

Tanktopmaster9224d ago

These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse

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50°

Report: Injustice 3 in Development at NetherRealm Studios

Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.

50°

Spiders Studio, Developers of GreedFall: The Dying World, Announce Liquidation of the Company

Spiders: "We're going to cut straight to the chase so you're not left wondering: After a long period without clear answers, we have received confirmation that Spiders is being liquidated.

What does it mean? This means the company as a whole no longer exists. We'll cease our functions immediately. The planned DLC will release via Nacon, and then-- well, that's it.

We're sorry that it's come to this and would like to thank each and every one of you for your support over the years.

If you have any questions or run into issues with your games, please contact Nacon directly as we'll no longer be able to reply."