I think they do. Win viruses and spyware are one of the main reasons I switched to a Mac, and why I've never paid for a version of Windows. It could also help explain the rising Apple market share. I also avoid Microsoft Office as there seems to be regular exploits there, and in many cases, Open Office can do the job just as well (or the new software-as-service packages, like Google Docs).

I'm not an Apple fanboy, I think Windows, Linux and OSX all have their strengths and weaknesses.

If i find that a mac is worth it ill definitely get one. Im not against mac. then again if im seriously limited by compatibility issues theres no use spending that much money on one when my PC's working just fine. I hear pcs are more of a pain in the proverbial but I need to be sure a Mac can cater for my needs. So many people buy a Mac, then install Windows in parallel. If OSX was so 'awesome' why cant it cater for everything? Im just curious.

My own answer to that question is straightforward.

I buy a "Mac" because I know from many years of experience that I am buying a stable, well engineered hardware platform that will last.

The fact that that hardware platform comes with OS X is an added bonus, and I do 90% of my work and home stuff in the OS X environment without even making a concious effort to do so.

I have little choice to maintain Windows via WMWare Fusion because of either work requirements (Windows only software) .... or the fact that I sometimes come accross websites built by lazy, incompetent, idiotic "web designers" that only work on the latest versions of Internet Explorer or require some obscure Windows only plugins to be installed in your browser again due to the same moronic Windows only view of the world some funky web designer had. Before someone grabs it as a "I told you so" opportunity, I should point out that these sort of Windows only sites are not any of the common "popular sites" .... but more often things like car manufacturer service websites etc. where they provide special locked down PDFs that need special non Adobe viewing software.

But it's no big deal to run windows in a window .... there is absolutley no speed difference. Maybe if you're a hard core gamer, but I'm a grown up and am passed the need to run around in a virtual environment shooting aliens !

But in the end, just like the old Airbus vs Boeing debate...... there will always be two camps.

I am sure that these questions have been asked before but I wonder if some of you would be kind enough to help me please wiht some advice.
I have had several PC laptops and am tired of not being able to open all the tabs which i want to and of the computer crashing, so I lose all sorts of browsing informaiton. I thought that for my next computer I would try an Apple Air-portability, lightweight. I don't do anything very complex on a machine other than store a lot of e mails and browse.
If I buy a Mac Air, and confirgured as I like, in the US, it is about £250 cheaper than in Europe/UK. I bought a Sony PC once in the States and had total problems with warantees and no back up at all and no help at all from Sony, even though I spend all my time travelling and so there was no reason why I should not have bought a PC in the USA.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Apple warranties on laptops are worldwide, so no problem! :ok:

Applemacster

Okaaay thank you...I am a bit bitten because that is what the Sony shop at King of Prussia, PA told me about Sony warranties and that was not the case.

Hammer,

It's part of the "Global Repair Coverage" clause:

AppleCare FAQ

The only caveat is:

However, in the US, Europe and Japan , you're pretty much sorted. If you're spending a lot of time in Africa or South America, it may be more tricky to get a problem sorted without sending the Mac away. If you get the AppleCare, there is unlimited telephone support, though for the three years. Depends what you need.

Applemacster

Thank you-very kind of you and most useful information.

Airport Problem
 

Hi All

I am being baffled by a network problem.

I have 2 Macs, a MBP 17 inch running Snow Leopard and an old Powerbook G4 running 10.4. Both connect to a no security (ie no password wireless) network at home. "Suddenly" the MBP will not join the wireless network (A DSL model D-Link). Error message when running diagnostics of "Unable to join Airport network.....". The G4 works just fine.

Have tried rebooting both devices ie the MBP and the D-Link. The MBP will work fine with a cable attached to the D-Link but not wirelessly!

Any ideas?

Thanks
BF

Can the MBP see other wireless networks? Can the MBP see the G4 over wireless?

Could the wifi NIC in the MBP be faulty?

SD

That's the odd thing Saab. Under "shared" in the FINDER, I can see the Powerbook and connect to it (ie login) and access my old files there!

How do I check the wifi NIC?

thanks

If you are doing that over the wifi link (not cabled), then you have already demonstrated that it's working!

Is it possible that you have set the wifi NIC on the MBP to access Ad-hoc (Computer-Computer) networks ONLY?

Otherwise, have you set up MAC-address filtering on the wifi access point?

Are you sure that the MBP is trying to connect to your AP, and not some other one?

Another possibility is that you have set up security (WPA or WEP) on the access point. Or possibly told the MBP to use it when not required.

Given that you have no security on the wifi network, could someone else have changed anything?

SD

Thanks Saab. My wireless connection via the MBP is completely dead. So, I plug in an ethernet cable to access the net. However, via this cable, I can see other wireless devices that are connected to the router.

Here's something really interesting:

Apple - Support - Discussions - Dropping Wi FI Signal ...

A few people are having my problem. Ever since I upgraded to SL, weird stuff happens like losing effects on iPhoto slide shows and so on. I made a post a few months ago on this thread and love showing it to the Apple 'genius' folks in Apple shops that I visit.

Back to the problem, I now put on a pw on the router, everything that used to connect to it won't until I enter that password on ea of the devices, ie the Powerbook, a Vista machine and the iPhones. The MBP wireless remains dead as a dodo.

All points to a problem with Apple's AIRPORT upgrade with SL.

No one else knows how to change the router as I am the de facto tech "expert".

Any ideas? I keep defending and loving Apple products but am beginning to look silly with these SL bugs! Thanks for your help.

Given the facts you proved, I would suspect either 1) the MBP has "lost" the driver for the wifi NIC, or 2) the wifi NIC has done a Norwegian Blue (shuffled off...).

SD

Migrating from one Mac to another ?
 

Work is buying me a shiny new MBP. I want to migrate as much as I can automatically - has anyone used the Migration Assistant, and is it any good ?

What about Darwin ports and other apps (VMware Fusion, Caffeine, and the like) which add kernel extensions or startup items ?

Saab - You are right. Airport just started working again! I am baffled by it all. Many thanks for your input.

Mac Mail
 

Having a problem since I set up SL. Mail messages freeze with destination address and I cannot write message or title. Any ideas please. (also set up google apps address so wondering if that has affected Mail).
Thanks in advance for any advice:confused:

Snow Leopard Wifi Problem Solved!!
 

Saab - I thought I'd post this thread on how I solved the SL Wifi problem:

Apple - Support - Discussions - WiFi trouble since Snow Leopard Upgrade ...

It is not a hardware problem, strange enuf!

THanks BF - and I thought PCs were bad... ;)

SD

Yeah, I know. But here's the weird bit. Why two resets instead of one? I do one and the problem stays. I reset twice, the problem disappears....

I get the feeling that tech support in Apple has little influence over the guys who actually fix bugs.

I'm glad that I picked this up earlier: I just started a new MB Air, and after transferring all from the old Air the wireless wouldn't connect to the internet. New Network profile, and Robert's your mother's brother :ok:

Losing Faith in SL and Apple Tech Support
 

Senior Pilot, here are a few more things you will discover with wireless on your new MBP (or Air) and SL.

1. You will go to different wireless hotspots - sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't - meanwhile you will suffer the indignity of your Windows buddies having theirs work all the time.

2. You will delete and create new dummy locations. The new Automatic will sometimes NOT work at all - even if u restart your new MBP twice, start new dummy locations, force a renew of DHCP lease on TCP/IP and so on.

3. The MOST reliable way is to carry an ethernet cable with you ie you remain tethered to the wall whilst in a different hotspot.

4. You can demo the fault to an Apple expert at a "genius" bar (I did in Sydney and in Singapore) and they will tell you it is a "known fault".

5. If you Google "Snow Leopard and WiFi problem" the most subscribed to thread on the Apple Support forum is the SL/WiFi problem thread - and guess what? Not a squeak from Apple on this.

Unfortunately, and out of desperation, I have reverted to my old G4 laptop running Tiger with absolutely zero problems on WiFi when I absolutely need wireless to file flight plans or get the weather.

I hope Steve Jobs gets better and forces Apple to fix these problems!

BF

Bell_Flyer,

It's my 3rd MB Air, and I've taken the others all around the world with nary a problem: wireless connections have been fine to date. I understand the issues with Snow Leopard, and only have a problem ATM with scanning (on HP) with my iMac.

But thanks anyway ;)

SP, what have you been doing to have had 3 MB Airs in such a short period ? Are they that fragile ? :uhoh:



SHJ

Errr, no! My original was left in a cab (never returned, replaced under insurance) and I recently upgraded the replacement to the current 2.13GHz with Solid State drive, giving the old one to No 1 son :ok:

Good for you sir! How does the solid state HD compare with the older spinners that we plebs are using ? :) Is there much of a difference in real life situations performance wise ?



SHJ

Replacement Logic Board - White Macbook
 

Hello,

I was wondering if the collective knowledge base of Pprune might be able to point me in the direction of an inexpensive source for a replacement logic board for a white Macbook? The Service center here wants a huge amount of dosh to replace it and suggested I might source the part cheaper by buying a damaged Macbook and salvaging the logic board. Any other ideas? I love my Mac but the repair cost is getting close to replacement cost. :(

Cheers!

Although you might be able to locate a logicboard for the iBook, will you be able to take the old one out and have the new one fitted ? I'm led to believe that it's not the easiest of the repairs that one can do and therefore might be v expensive to do. This place, for example TheBookYard : UK Apple spare parts specialist are a source, but it will depend where you are located. I've seen mention of suppliers in both Hong Kong and the USA. Hope this helps.


SHJ

Thanks, SHJ. It hadn't occurred to me that there was such a thing as a computer breakers' yard. I've found a couple of websites based on your suggestion. I think this is going to be a much cheaper way to do it. I'll still have it replaced by a technician, but sourcing the parts either in the US or UK, or even buying used rather than new, might save me a bundle.

Two questions if anyone can answer them for me, please:

I have a 2006 MAcbook white. Will ALL Macbook logicboards fit and work in it?

Is there any real risk in installing a second-hand one from a reputable source?

Many thanks,
Shawn

Pitts,

Much as I like Mac, there's absolutely no way I'd buy one and not take out AppleCare. My daughter's MB Pro has had over £2000 of repairs due to her 'feminine' outlook towards computer care, all covered by AppleCare. Well worth a few £'s outlay, IMO :ok:

Well there are many better placed to answer that, but it seems to me that there is a specific 'architecture' within the Macs and to change that brings with it the potential for malfunction. Like for like would be best, which will depend on you finding out which 2006 MacBook you have. Info should be available under 'about this mac' when you click on the Apple icon, top left.

There will always be a risk with 2nd hand components, but they are usually tested and guaranteed for a few months. Also make sure that you and your technician are wearing an earthing device when handling the board :ok:

In retrospect i would always get the Applecare with a new mac. I've been very fortunate not to have had any problems, others have been less so....

Finally, have you considered buying a 2nd hand replacement on eBay,(usually from someone who simply wants to upgrade) and sell yours 'as is' for all those who need parts or a project to fix ? Just a thought.


SHJ

My old Mac Mini (Intel Core Duo at 1.66GHz) was running s-l-o-w despite de-crapifying and checking permissions etc.

So just on general principles I doubled the system memory from 1GB to 2GB.

MUCH better now - really quite sprightly!

For what its worth...............

:ok:

Mac

Replace the slow pissy little original 60GB hard drive next.

.....and just stuffed in a Western Digital 320GB drive.

Cloning the original drive was simple with Carbon Copy Cloner.

Despite all the dire warnings I was able to move my home directory to a different partition (hate mixing system and data files on the same partition) and Tiger coped with it without problems.

Nice little box now.

:ok:

Mac

Actually Mac, I hate mixing system and data files on the same drive.
It's good to use different partitions to separate the two from each other.
But if the drive goes belly up, it doesn't matter. My personal and data files
are always on a different drive. Also makes a system restore that much easier.

I quite agree and all my big boxes have the system and data components on different drives (actually a lot of the common data is on a RAID 1 physically separate fileserver).

But for systems that only allow one physical hard drive, like the Mac Mini and laptops, at least separating data from the system on different partitions is cleaner than lumping it all together (and, as you say, makes re-imaging or restoring a system much easier).

:ok:

Cheers!

PS: And the fileserver rsyncs periodically to another fileserver at some distance which maintains daily, weekly and monthly backups on (of course) separate physical drives. FreeNAS - FreeNAS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - how I love it!

Thanks for the link to FreeNAS Mac, I didn't know about this!
This opens up a world of possibilities. :ok:

Mac, please forgive me if this falls under "Teach your Grandmother etc."
but when you ,

did you partition the drive GUID?

The reason I ask is that CCC can replicate your previous drive on the new one and everything will seem identical however I found out the hard way that without partitioning the new drive GUID you cannot install any OS updates nor can the OS be re-installed.
The partition need only be a single one, it is not necessary to split up the drive but the Mac system needs the GUID type of partition.

PS. The tech who did this to my MBP was an Apple authorized tech but was not aware of the requirement.

Again if this is not news I apologize but it may be news to others.

Hmmm. As far as I remember, I did! Don't have the machine here so I can't check.

I bought an external drive case and the 320GB drive, used Disk Utility to partition it into System (80GB) and Data (the rest). Then used CCC to copy the original drive to System. Then booted from the new drive to make sure all was OK. Swapped the drives and copied my data /User/mac over to Data and then changed the pointer in whatever it is to point to /Volume/Data/mac. Changed the name of the original /User/mac to /User/mac.old (for deletion later if all is OK).

Rebooted and all seems fine. But I'll recheck tomorrow at work.

Thanks for heads up!

:ok:

Mac

(bit of a PITA physically changing drives in the Mac Mini)

innuendo - thanks for bringing this up - I've now done some reading around GPT & EFI, which is good stuff.

There's a very useful article on intel-based Macs on SourceForge.net:

rEFIt - Myths and Facts About Intel Macs

SD