Topic: Computer advice.

Do you use Cool Previews with Firefox? Look it up and download it, I love it and it makes surfing quite a bit quicker!

Topic: Computer advice.

So what did you go for in the end POM?

Topic: Computer advice.

You know what I like about the Mac? When I start getting the odd freeze, or crash, I get an update that fixes it pretty quickly… you know what else I like about it, it’s actually is Mulit Tasking, I can watch TV, record TV, work in Photoshop, download email, watch a Video, chat on the net, search the www all at once… and it rarely slows down at all.

Topic: Computer advice.

Hi Tone

I think you will find that Dells cannot be serviced by anyone. You need to use an authorised Dell Tech. My point was that you could not open the box and fix it yourself without voiding the warranty.

I agree , Dell has great pricing.

Eek

Topic: Computer advice.

Pom;

Just in case it wasn’t obvious in some of the previous posts, you can actually run windows on a Mac in one of two ways.

1. Dual Boot. since the Mac’s are now intel based, you can literally install both OSs side by side. When you turn your machine on you pick which OS to boot from.

2. Run Windows “in” OS X … I run a program called Parallels. It runs windows in a “window”, but it isnt emulated, it actually gets access directly to RAM and CPU, so it’s fast. I use this mostly for testing Internet Explorer when we roll out new features on ISG. I actually have several “copies” of XP on my machine, one for IE6, one for IE7 and will have to clone the IE7 one for IE8 soon. I also fly my r/c Heli simulator in it.

So, basically if you do end up getting a mac, it doesnt mean you can’t boot into window to play your Trainz game.

isg_geek

Topic: Computer advice.

“Apples tend to run better because all the software generally is written (or vetted) by Apple. All the hardware is designed by Apple so it all just works when you plug it in.”

Not really the case anymore, they haven’t even written much of the kernel of their current OS’s
the hardware combinations possible are more limited and they are tested together before a box makes it onto the shelves but Apple has not designed or even used a propriety CPU motherboard memory or sound card for a long time.
not having a go they do use quality components and test their products a lot better than most Windows boxes, than said it has been a while since i have had any trouble with conflicting hardware even in Windows.

Topic: Computer advice.

Pom,

I’d reckon getting a PC based system for value for money but there’s usually a bit of a penalty with the software variations you have to run to keep it virus free. Once you get it set-up it should be fine.

There’s also lots of other software available for PC clones at much less than what you’d pay for Apple stuff.

However, Apples tend to run better because all the software generally is written (or vetted) by Apple. All the hardware is designed by Apple so it all just works when you plug it in.
You do pay a premium for this ease of use though. It’s also more expensive to upgrade and/or repair if things go pear shaped, but generally they are more reliable and user friendly than PC clones. The new operating systems also allow dual booting so that you can run Windoze and/or Apple software. So the train program should be Apples :-).

Dell have a pretty good reputation for providing good gear and back-up as they base their business on the web with authorised repairers etc in local area. Their website should say if there’s one in Townsville which will make warranty stuff quicker and less painfull should you need it.
Apple products also suffer from a lack of competition in the retail area. That is the buyer has limited opportunities to bargain down purchase price due to corporate influences. Check to see if there’s an Apple re-seller in local area as you’ll have the same warranty issues if there’s no-one to repair them in Townsville.

I just got myself a (ASUS) laptop from MSI that is going great guns now that I have set it up. I was going to get an iBook but the price went up by about 30% the week b4 I was gunna do it… MSI have a website and sell cheap stuff but you have to know what you want as they aren’t like Harvey Norman etc. Warranties are ok just no customer service.

Get onto whirlpool.net.au forums and just have a bit of a hunt around on there. Stacks of info about the pros and cons of various set-ups. Also links to good/bad deals as well.

Topic: Computer advice.

Look at the amount of clients and applications you can get for Macs now, every major software company is making clients for Mac.

It’s been that way for years.

I’ve been on mac for over 10 years and probably had only 1 virus in that time which was back in the mid to late 90’s. The money I forked out for nortons was an utter waste.

Topic: Computer advice.

Dell are the cheapest at the moment but remember that if you have any problems with it you have to send it back to DELL. If you get a local computer geek to fix it , you will void the DELL warranty.

Eek

That’s false. I have a Dell laptop. My hard drive died 4 months ago. I contacted Dell, 2 days later; a technician came to change it. No question asked.
It might depends on the warranty you get, but it’s usually an international warranty.
I am pretty sure it’s same for desktop.

Dell service is exceptional…in my opinion, I have not had an issue with them. Prices are good too, their devices have matured greatly over the last 18 months.

Topic: Computer advice.

Dell are the cheapest at the moment but remember that if you have any problems with it you have to send it back to DELL. If you get a local computer geek to fix it , you will void the DELL warranty.

Eek

That’s false. I have a Dell laptop. My hard drive died 4 months ago. I contacted Dell, 2 days later, a technician came to change it. No question asked.
It might depends on the warranty you get, but it’s usually an international warranty.
I am pretty sure it’s the same for desktop.

Topic: Computer advice.

Unix based systems are a lot safer, I agree, but it is the ROI from the people that come up with these things that is going to make malware for Macs viable sooner rather than later. Look at the amount of clients and applications you can get for Macs now, every major software company is making clients for Mac.

I too have been seeing the ‘world is coming to an end for the clean Mac’ for many years but the numbers of Macs is spreading which means the time spent on creating backdoors for unix based OS’s will increase.

Of course you need to sift through the media hype generally cooked up by compettors and critics, and Mac has the biggest competitor in the world who has been known to have a vivid imagination with their media….

Topic: Computer advice.

they have been claiming that viruses would be coming out for Macs for many years now, I suspect there is a grain of truth but a lot of speculation and marketing in that, in my opinion there simply isn’t the number of Mac victims available to sustain a virus for a long time,
looks like you are wedded to windows with that Trainz prog, though it will probably run through x windows
if you have the time but not the money get Linux, Ubuntu is good
if you don’t have the time but have money get a Mac

Topic: Computer advice.

l4g – This story gets trundled out every year. I have used macs since 1996 and every year macs are going to be virus ridden the next year etc etc.

It never happens and most likely never will. It is based on a far more secure base (unix) than windows – it’s a just a fact.

I still can;t believe people putting up with having to arm themselves to the teeth simply to use a web browser and email – crazy stuff.

Macs aren’t perfect but they are miles ahead of Windows once you get over the fact the screen looks a bit different.

Topic: Computer advice.

There are bad things starting to come out for Macs

please explain.

As an example…
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/01/another-mac-vir.html

Industry analysts are predicting a massive increase of Mac related malware and viruses in the back-end of 2009..there is also a fair bit of talk that this ‘speculation’ is driven by Microshaft.

As Mac usage increases so will this activity, especially as companies start using Macs inside their firewalls, connected to their production systems.

Currently my company has about 8000 Microsoft OS’s worldwide, Mac usage has increased from about 20 in June 2008 to over 500 today, this is significant growth and we are just 1 mid-sized company.

Topic: Computer advice.

There are bad things starting to come out for Macs

please explain.

Topic: Computer advice.

If this is the Trainz you are talking about then any modern system will run it without any hassles.

The biggest issue with getting someone to build you a system ‘privately’ is warranty and repairs. i.e. if something goes wrong you might end up out of pocket or with an unusable system. Thats where something like buying from Dell or similar would have the edge. Something like this Dell system would probably suit your needs for now and provides you with an upgrade path if you need more power later on. Its important that anything you buy now has room to expand (power wise) in the next year or so so that you can upgrade if needed.

Macs are good, but require a bit of getting used to. Once you’re used to them though you realise how far behind Windows is! :)

The newer Macs can be made to run both OS X and Windows Vista/XP, but not at the same time (unless you use something like Parallels or VMWare Fusion)

Hope this hasn’t confised the issue for you more!! :P

Topic: Computer advice.

Who has the best internet security setup. I have Mc Afee at the moment. It may be good but it can be painfully slow.

McAfee will run a thousand percent better on new hardware….it does take a lot of resources on an older machine.

A bad day at golf is better than a good day at work.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

It uses a lot of resources on a new machine too… there’s just more resources to go around.

Topic: Computer advice.

I’m a mac and PC user but I recommend all my clients to use a MAC for a home set up as it tends to do the basic a lot easier. ie surfing the web, emails and videos and less prone to glitches.

One thing you might also want to consider is the level of support/service you get with your computer. If you don’t know any geeky friends who can swing by and help you than its best to get a computer that has a good service/warranty program.

Dell are the cheapest at the moment but remember that if you have any problems with it you have to send it back to DELL. If you get a local computer geek to fix it , you will void the DELL warranty.

Eek

Topic: Computer advice.

Who has the best internet security setup. I have Mc Afee at the moment. It may be good but it can be painfully slow.

McAfee will run a thousand percent better on new hardware….it does take a lot of resources on an older machine.

A bad day at golf is better than a good day at work.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

Couldnt agree more. Great security but…..

Topic: Computer advice.

Who has the best internet security setup. I have Mc Afee at the moment. It may be good but it can be painfully slow.

McAfee will run a thousand percent better on new hardware….it does take a lot of resources on an older machine.

Topic: Computer advice.

Who has the best internet security setup. I have Mc Afee at the moment. It may be good but it can be painfully slow.

Even more reason to get a mac so you don’t have to worry about that crap.

If your budget can stretch another 200, get a refurb iMac cos the mini is really just a toy.

There are bad things starting to come out for Macs

Topic: Computer advice.

Mac’s are good, I have both, starting to like the mac’s a lot…..and you can get parallels to allow it to run vista

Topic: Computer advice.

Who has the best internet security setup. I have Mc Afee at the moment. It may be good but it can be painfully slow.

Even more reason to get a mac so you don’t have to worry about that crap.

If your budget can stretch another 200, get a refurb iMac cos the mini is really just a toy.

Topic: Computer advice.

Buy a Mac…

Hello! Good to see i’m not a lone voice on this one. The whole ISG crew is on Mac too.

isg_geek

Topic: Computer advice.

Buy a Mac… haven’t looked back since I got one….. bought my 1st PC in 1990, bought my last one in 2007, and when I say last, I mean LAST… got my 1st Mac in 2007 and it WON’T be my last….