It's been my experience (+20 years in IT) that it's usually not the computer that's the problem. It's the user and what they are doing with the computer that is the problem. Tested911 has provided great advice. Be careful of what you download, do not screw around with the registry, and keep current on anti-virus and anti-spyware software and you will be fine 99.9% of the time. I would also recommend making sure Windows automatic updates is turned on.
So what you are saying is that out of five tries, every one of them is screwed up? That sounds like denial to me. I'm with everyone who said that you probably futzed up your computers on your own. Windows is the #1 dog=everyone is gunning for it. In fact, since Mac's popularity is on the rise, there are more people out there on the internets writing nasty software that will screw up OSX. Most people don't realize that they have malware/viruses slowing down their computers and just chuck them. That said, stay away from illegal downloads (Limewire, Warez), fishy p*rn sites or otherwise disreputable places on the internet. It's still the Wild West out there, however used it is. You also probably want to watch where you put your future computer. If you have it sequestered in a dark, hot cubby in your desk, it's going to get hot and eventually break down. The same thing goes for where you plug it in at. If you've been plugging in all of your ailing computers into the same 20 year old power strip, you might have had power issues all along. The current you get from an average wall outlet fluctuates like crazy. Your best bet is to get a UPS or a line conditioner. It gives you an even stream of power so your circuits don't get fried over time. You may end up spending around $50, but it's worth it in the long run. I have all of my big-ticket electronics around my house plugged into UPSs. Good luck with your Mac purchase, when it happens. I sincerely hope that it changes your fortunes. I'm curious to see how it is holding up after a few years of use.
It's not necessarily that Mac's are more secure simply because there are fewer of them, its inherently more secure. From http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/18/t...l=1&adxnnlx=1174570959-WHJJr+J9M1gUd7pFYoPcyw * Windows comes with five of its ports open; Mac OS X comes with all of them shut and locked. (Ports are back-door channels to the Internet: one for instant-messaging, one for Windows XP’s remote-control feature, and so on.) These ports are precisely what permitted viruses like Blaster to infiltrate millions of PC’s. Microsoft says that it won’t have an opportunity to close these ports until the next version of Windows, which is a couple of years away. * When a program tries to install itself in Mac OS X or Linux, a dialog box interrupts your work and asks you permission for that installation -- in fact, requires your account password. Windows XP goes ahead and installs it, potentially without your awareness. * Administrator accounts in Windows (and therefore viruses that exploit it) have access to all areas of the operating system. In Mac OS X, even an administrator can’t touch the files that drive the operating system itself. A Mac OS X virus (if there were such a thing) could theoretically wipe out all of your files, but wouldn’t be able to access anyone else’s stuff -- and couldn’t touch the operating system itself. * No Macintosh e-mail program automatically runs scripts that come attached to incoming messages, as Microsoft Outlook does. In addition, all of you say that your computers will be fine IF you install antivirus, anti-spyware, etc. You just dont have to do that on a Mac.
BINGO. Thank you for settin' SirCharlesFan straight. I was waiting to read ALL the posts until I found yours. Dude... I have never bought a MAC, but if it were me, I'd probably mess it up just like you're messing up the PCs... seriously, you're doing something wrong, man... clean sh*t out... I am not saying you don't have to do that in a MAC, but that just might be the case with you... files that are there and NEVER get used are a problem. The hard drive will have a hard time reading from a place it doesn't know.
This is the crux of the matter. Every pimply faced thirteen year old all the way up to every world of warcraft playing 35 year old still living with mommy who ever dreamed of "doing something" can download virus creation tools. Some of them play around with the stuff and then give it up; some of them get quite good. Windows is the "MAN" when it comes to market share. Windows has a big target on its back, and people are trying to gun it down. I'm not totally defending MS. They've brought some of this on themselves, but the bigger you are, the more people try to bring you down. All that being said.....it doesn't take that much to protect your computer.
Unlike Macs, you can build your own PC. Every one I've put together has been fine, never a problem, and I know good parts are going into it. The latest one was 3+ years ago and still runs great. I love apple computers, even with the general lack of 3rd party software for OsX, but I just can't see paying 3x as much for a desktop computer. It's just not that important of a purchase to me.
I think you're behind the times on this one. The artical was printed in 2003 *XP sp2 firewalls all info going in and out of internet ports now. *Windows doesn't automatically lets software install. It now pops up a windows that will ask if you want to "run" a software that wants to self install. *Mac OSX is based on the Linux kernal and it's getting more popular hence more virus. I don't see how a clever writer can write a virus that can attack the OS especially since they've already done it with linux. *They already have updates on outlook express to prevent this. In windows, a windows pop up telling you initially which app wants to use the interent, OSX doesn't. You can easily change the settings to block certain apps from using the internet with Windows, you can't do it easily with Mac OSX. OSX and Windows both have their plus and minus. (I'm a web/publications tech and use both) Window's isn't as bad as everyone makes it, without the popous comercials. It beats MacOSX in nearly every speed benchmark test. It's really about what you pay for. Dell's are so so in quality. Go for a Sony or for laptops, buy a Pansonic Toughbook Semi-Rugged series. They're expensive, but so are Macs.
While I sympathize with your problems, I have to agree with others. In my experience, repeated problems are rarely the fault of the machines. If you are having issues with every PC you get, my guess is that those problems won't be solved with a Mac and I'm a long-time Mac user myself. I have friends who use Mac's, but aren't particularly adept at using computers. I get calls all the time with issues. Thing is, computers don't just run themselves. They need upgrades. They require maintenance. Software must be tweaked and updated. Sometimes things get glitchy and you need a re-boot or a re-install. There can be software conflicts and hardware can require firmware updates. You sometimes have too many apps running at once or you need a bigger hard drive. People seem to think that you just plug in a computer and all your problems are solved. It's NEVER the fault of the user, but ask any IT person or anyone who helps people with their computers on a regular basis and they know that "user error" or a user's lack of knowledge accounts for about 90 percent of the problems. They are just machines. Like cars that need oil changes, routine maintenance and repair, computers need the same.
You just got bad luck. I don't want to mention my good computer fortunes because I might jinx myself.
You guys are right, things like pixels going out within days of purchase on a laptop, CDRW drive needing replacement (multiple times b/c the drive wont spin a CD), and a fan running so hard it would be a distraction to take to class because the computer runs so hot (no I'm not running 9000 apps or graphic intensive games. yes, there is proper ventilation.) are all things that I brought on myself . . .
I'm not calling you stupid at all... but in a way you did bring this on yourself if you didn't research what you are buying or didn't pay for quality. Best Regards, Brock
Well, I feel that I did pay for quality, this wasn't some bargain basement notebook when I purchased it. But for those of you that are acting like I brought this problem on myself by trolling p*rn websites, I did do a little research as Brock suggested, and it appears lots of others are having this problem: http://www.mepis.org/node/9263
CDRW's and lcds are commodity components meaning they are the same regardless who you buy your computer from. They source them from the same place. Kind of like the sony battery recall that effected everyone in the industry including Apple. I don't know anything about your specific fan problem so I won't comment. Macs have their share of problems too. There was a class action lawsuit against them not too long ago because they would shut down for no reason. http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2132 The reason you don't hear much about the apple problems is because not very many people have one to complain. Also Mac users tend to be like VW owners and can't admit their problems because they have a love affair with them. Macs are nice machines but I want people to realize they have their warts also and nothing in this world is perfect. The grass is always greener as the saying goes.
this is mostly correct, but removable media disk drives and lcd's have several sources and they are NOT created equally. There are definately differences, and although the average user may not be able to tell a difference between one cd-rw and another those who do professional audio mastering certainly can and do. It is true you can find an off brand with the same components or even the exact same item - but there are several sources for these pieces so again it pays to do research. Unfortunately - if you live on the bleeding edge - you can buy something which doesn't have any negative aspects until a few months or years down the road. It all comes down to quality of components and the operator of those components. If you build or buy a quality machine that has been around long enough to display any design flaws you will be much better off in the long run. Usually - in an already built computer - this means buying something that is classified as a workstation as opposed to a home machine. I have had excellent luck even with lower line Dell's as long as you get rid of all the crappy preloaded software but I am much more of a fan of building it yourself after long research. It helps the experience to build something that is designed for how you use the machine as it truly makes a difference in what you buy. Same with buying a prebuilt machine. There is a reason mac's have the reputation that they do. They use quality components and limit options for the user so that as few conflicts on the user side of things exist as possible. I personally find this limiting, although the twist of marketing that pushes this approach as for the creative or the maverick is pure genius. In reality - it is for people who are happy on that platform or people who don't know what they are doing. More for the Mac lover, the non-technically adept and the grandmother. There isn't anything wrong with that - it just comes down to user preference, required software and how you work (or play). Anyways, I feel your pain man and I'm not sure research would have helped you with the Sony but I expect that it would have. i'm not sure what processor is in that machine either - but the heat leads me to believe it was an Intel previous to mid 2006. notorious. either way, the statement in the title should be changed to "I have terrible luck with PC's" instead of "PC's are garbage".
I'm honor and proud to say that my PC is my best friend, nothing even comes close, he's loyal to me, he's here whenever I need him, he's helpful to me, he won't betray me, he won't look down on me, he won't take advantage of me, he gives me fun, he gives me information, he's more important all my mate.
