Apple Macs: Objects of devotion

BBC ^ | 1/13/05

[ambrose]

E-Machines sells their computers with replaceable component parts, including all the powerful graphics card.

[Swordmaker]

That's because the "owner" probably never had it to begin with.

In a way, that's true.

The owner got this laptop because it was provided to him as a cadet at the US Air Force Academy. Apparently their IT department configures all the cadet's laptops under a general license... He was allowed to keep the laptop when he transferred to Cornell University to study medicine, but the install disks for all the legally licensed software and OS did not get to go with him.

Cornell would not allow him to hook this computer to their network because it was so infected. Several of their Computer Science majors tried to clean it but were unsuccessful. At the point I was asked to see what I could do, it refused to boot into anything but safemode. For some reason no anti-virus or anti-spyware would run on the computer.

His parents wanted me to wipe the HD and reinstall everything from his backup (which turned out to be just his user files)... but without the original recovery disks, and the sofware installers for the licensed stuff, it would be unlikely that he could use any of his documents until he purchased new copies of everything... a very expensive prospect... nor would the drivers and utilities that came with the IBM ThinkPad be available with a generic XP Pro installation.

To see if I could resurrect the computer without losing all that, I went Registry diving and was able to eliminate much of the spyware manually so that I finally got it to boot into a non-safe mode and could run some anti-spyware (Spy-bot S&D, Ad-aware, AVG, etc), download Microsoft's new anti-spyware beta (a VERY NICE app!) which, when run on the computer that was reported "clean" by the the other antis, found 40 more spywares (16 complete spy-ware packages) that the others didn't.

After all that, the system was CLEAN and working great. Cornell's IT admin had told him he would have to have XP SP2 on his computer before he would be allowed to connect, so that was to be the last step of this resurrection. It was the upgrade to SVP2 that screwed things up. Nothing I can't handle... if I can get a copy of Windows XP Professional so I can run a repair. Unfortunately, I don't have one. I will have to borrow one from someone.

[Rodney King]

My aren't you the poster-child for mindless, adolescent cliches?

You need to speak power to the man. No justice, no peace.

[daviddennis]

Well, I'd class that as ages ago.

Actually, when I bought the machine used for my BBS, the seller disclosed there was a latent hard drive problem. Amazing it ran as long as it did.

I haven't had a major hardware failure since then. Of course I don't think I've kept a machine that long as my primary computer, either; I tend to swap them out about every two years as technology advances.

D

[Question_Assumptions]

I don't know if it is the same with a MAC, but most of the time the 32MB of dedicated Memory is just reserved system RAM which is not as good as actually having VIDRAM.

No, it's dedicated video RAM with an ATI chipset. In fact, Apple discusses the problem with the cheap chipsets used in a lot of low-end PCs here on their Mac mini page and explain why they use a dedicated chipset and memory.

I am no fan of retail computers, including MACs and I build all of my on, plus on average I have built 2 machines per month for the last five years, for other people. I know about hardware quality and the ins and outs of Windows. Apple builds a quality product, but I can build a better, faster machine for less. But then again a MAC is like a Mercedes whereas I build race cars.

If I were getting another desktop PC, I'd probably build it myself for the reasons you mention. But for a retail computer, Apple mitigates a lot of the problems by simply not using the cheapest components available. Yes, they don't have a $349 Mac but that's because they have minimum quality standards. Also bear in mind that a do-it-yourself laptop isn't really an option.

Computers are like any tool, depending on what you are doing one may be better for you than the other, but neither will do everything the best.

Absolutely. I've recommended that people buy Windows PCs when their needs dictate that's the best solution. In fact, I've also used Windows servers at work when they make the most sense. Suggesting a Mac for every person is like suggesting a Volkswagen for everyone who asks which car brand they should buy. Yes, VW has a wide range of models but they don't fill every niche. But, honestly, the hostility runs both ways. There are plenty of PC/Windows people out there saying that Macs aren't good for anything and that's just not true, either.

[Question_Assumptions]

You also get PHP in the OSX version of Apache if you want it. I've had little trouble porting my Linux projects over to my home computer. I also do plenty of shell programming and "C" and Perl programming on my Mac.

[af_vet_rr]

Great post! Considering how long PCs have been around, there is no excuse for the state of the PC world. Everything should be secure, and work easy and well. When I tell people why I love Macs, and I say "they just work", it's hard for them to understand, until they've spent a day using a Mac. After that it clicks with them, what I was trying to say with those three words.

[af_vet_rr]

But for a retail computer, Apple mitigates a lot of the problems by simply not using the cheapest components available.

This is one area that deserves a lot of mention when it comes to problems with Windows. People go and buy a brand-new $300 PC at Wal-Mart or they build a cheap one for $200, and then have problems. It's very easy to blame Windows at that point, but with such cheap components, they maybe getting poorly designed drivers, they maybe getting components that end up putting a lot of strain on the CPU itself or that have problems from the start, or they don't have as much memory as they should (Apple is guilty of the memory issue).

[Question_Assumptions]

The memory that Apple puts into it's entry level computers is adequate, for the most part, but not great. It's always a good idea to boost that up if you can. You can almost never have too much memory unless your hardware can't address it. In fact, adding more memory is the easiest way to boost the performance of almost any sluggish low-end computer.

[avenir]

"I don't know for sure because I've never seen it happen."

Anyone interested can Google Mac issues and land on any number of fan sites where the Mac "family" is freely bitching about all manner of Mac issues related to hardware, etc.

Why does Apple charge an arm and a leg for Apple Care if it's equipment would "never" need it? And why do said Mac users complain about the paltriness of Apple Care and Apple's sorry customer service when they do--QT notwithstanding--need it?

One, who had to send his Powerbook in 4 times said simply, elegantly, "Apple Care sucks!"

Another lamented "Every chance I give Apple to screw me they take!"

Thanks to the internet, questioning assumptions was never easier.

[Question_Assumptions]

If you've had a bad experience, by all means by another computer. I, personally, have never had a major issue with a Mac like that and the people I know who have had a problem here or there seemed pretty darned happy with Apple Care, which I don't have, by the way.

[itsahoot]

YAWWWWWWNNNNNN. Strange that despite all the security hoopla, I've never had a Windows machine go down or even have any noteworthy difficulties due to a virus or any other security issue. I'm running seven Windows boxes right now.

I am having a really hard time believing this.<(•¿•)>

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Having a computer as an object of devotion is a sad state of affairs. Such people should get out more often.

[itsahoot]

$2,999.00

30-inch (29.7-inch viewable)
2560 x 1600 optimal resolution
16.7 million colors
DVI Display Connector
2 port USB 2.0 Hub
2 FireWire 400 ports

VESA mount compatible

Requires NVIDIA GeForce 6800
GT or Ultra DDL Card

Apple Credit Account -- payments
as low as $73 per month

[Petronski]

I have a D-Link Airpro card in my 99-era Thinkpad. It puts a little icon in the systray. If I think there's a wifi network present, I click on it and a box pops up saying "Detecting network 'HOLIDAY INN' [or whatever]. Wanna connect?" If I click yes, BOOM, I'm on. No fuss.


Sounds like the guys you met bought some crappy hardware.

[Terpfen]

The 30'' ACD is nice too.

I bet you hate Limbaugh for using one.

[MississippiMan]

I am having a really hard time believing this.<(•¿•)>

Fortunately, the truth is not dependent upon being believed by anyone. The truth simply is. The notion that you can't safely run Windows boxes is sheer nonsense. All it takes is a bit of common sense caution.

MM

[itsahoot]

All it takes is a bit of common sense caution.

Judging from all the news reports and all the existing firewall, virus, spyware, stuff available,...... that common sense is not all that common.

Truth is indeed what it is. But you saying it don't make it true, and I don't mean that as a challenge to your truthfulness, I am just saying you must be the only guy in the world that don't have any problems.

[Terpfen]

Hate to reply to an older post like this, but... the 9600XT is nearly three years old. It's the latest in the All-in-Wonder line, but it's by no means "the best out there." That honor goes to the GeForce 6800 Ultra OC. The best midrange is the GeForce 6600, probably tied with the Radeon 9800 Pro, and the absolute low-end is the 9600XT. And it was most definitely like this 8 months ago, since that's when the 6800 line, plus ATi's X800 line, launched.