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Archive for March, 2010

I’m looking for a laptop, it’s going to be a graduation gift so the price doesn’t matter much. I know Mac’s are more for artists and movie makers which I’m not doing in college but I also heard they don’t get viruses…

In your opinion, is it better to get a Mac or PC (if so, which type?). I just want a good amount of space, good battery life, good to watch movies on, and I have a ton of music to put on it.

PC is better and here is some information to back it up.. Anyone who claims macs do not have viruses do not have the facts.. read below..

PC=Variety of specs, options, quality, prices, vendors, support
Mac=One vendor, limited options, still more expensive. Look below for more information..

Today, Macs use a subset of PC hardware. Why spend extra to get the same CPU chips, graphics cards and OS X isn’t as secure as you think..

Don’t believe the lies that Macs are better than PCs at graphics/animation.. Dreamworks Animation http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/ under studio click on Technology of Animation, an independent film maker I know uses PCs, a graphic artist I used to know uses PCs also.

A number of PCs can also run OS X (Mac OS) http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=os+x+on+pc&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=os+x+on+ as well just that Apple makes it illegal in order to get Market share.. The reason why Mac can run native Windows is because it is using a subset of PC hardware,

If you decide to buy a Mac for running Windows, you will still have to get the same virus/spyware protection, and run into the same issues as a regular PC.

Now is a Mac worth buying for OS X?

I say: NO… for the following reasons…

ADVANTAGES WINDOWS :
Aprox 90% of the market is Windows and most PCs have windows already pre-installed.
1) Some websites require Internet Explorer, to run IE on Mac you really get ies4osx which is the Windows version of IE running really buggy and illegal if you don’t have a legitimate copy of Windows.
2) Supports devices (printers and other things you hook into the computer).
3) More business software/games
4) Want the dock on OS X (Mac)? google/yahoo rocketdock, objectdoc.
5) Used by businesses.

ADVANTAGES LINUX :
1) FREE (most versions are)
2) Install software by eitjher 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)
2) Like the Mac OS X effects? go yahoo/google COMPIZ FUSION which can do any cool effect a Mac can do and many ore….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gkX9HDfEE (there is no flickering when you use it like on the video, not sure why the person has the flicker)
3) Mac OS X Doc? google/yahoo Avant Window Navigator.Cairo Dock, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3rf5q_cairo-dock-mac-os-x-leopard-dock-on_tech

4) It is FASTERr/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet
5) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)

Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/
Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windows_xp_and_linux_xp_installed_first.htm

SECURITY
Mac OS X was hacked in 2006 less than 30 minutes, and within 2 minutes in a contest in 2008, and within 10 seconds in 2009. In 2008, Linux and Vista were not hacked until another day when restrictions were lowered. Vista was next, and then Linux. In 2009 Windows 7 fell shortly after the Mac but Linux was unscathed.
Macs are standardized with Cameras, if your Mac gets hacked, the hacker can turn on your camera with more ease.
Please Note: All OS’s have vulnerabilities.

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac-OS-X-hacked-under-30-minutes/0,130061744,139241748,00.htm

http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html

http://www.infoworld.com/article/09/03/19/Researcher_cracks_Mac_in_10_seconds_1.html

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Finds-Irony-in-Mac-OS-X-Getting-Hacked-Before-Vista-SP1-82135.shtml

VIRUSES
Mac OS X has viruses (and significantly on the rise), a friend of mine has a virused Mac. As more users use Macs, more viruses will come out for it. Especially when users think "they are safe".

http://infosecurity.us/?p=4005

http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/07/malware_authors_take_aim_at_growing_number_of_1.html

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/poll_have_you_noticed_an_increase_in_malware_viruses_etc_on_your_mac/

QUALITY/PROBLEMS
Contrary to belief, Macs are not better quality. Apple also has been changing suppliers to try to "lower the price" and thus lowering quality. Even with the lower prices, Macs still cost more, they spend a higher percent of budget trying to make it look pretty, and marketing.

Sample of problems: Overheating Macbooks, OS X- not responding to keyboard, some units with 16bit screens, etc. Apple statistics are misleading since Mac users with problem machines are more likely to go out and buy a new computer than PC users. Apple is lowering prices which means you can expect lower quality than in the past. Apple had switched the manufacturers producing parts. OS X also has problems slowing down.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10020263-17.html

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/01/apples-quality-dwindling-my-macbook-pro-sob-story/

http://www.appledefects.com/

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/107748-mac-os-leopard-running-slow.html

Repairs are more expensive than PCs since the IMac, Mac Mini are compact units, and Apple charges a premium for their services. Some repairs can be done by another repair service but the compact design of the computer causes problems.
With an IMac, if the problem is with the monitor, the whole computer would have to be brought in.
IMac and Mac mini lack expansion.

PRICE
A similar equipped PC is much cheaper to purchase than Mac. Lets use Dell (but you can compare with another PC Brand if you like)

**(LAPTOP)
Dell Inspiron Laptop $849 dropped to $799
15" Screen
CPU: (upgrade to) 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Memory: 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Optical Drive: Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM) – WRITES DVDS,CDS, READS Blue-Ray Disks

Macbook $1349 just dropped to $1224
13" Screen (SMALLER)
CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (SAME)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (SAME)
Memory: (upgrade to) 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (LESS RAM)
Hard Drive (upgrade to) 250GBSerial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm (SMALLER HARD DRIVE)
Optical Drive: (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) – (Writes CDs, DVDs, cannot read Blue-Ray) (WORSE AND 1/2 SPEED)

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~857204&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Duo&a=55103~0~857204

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB402LL/B?mco=MTkzOTI0Nw

**(DESKTOP)

PLEASE NOTE: I compare Apple Mac’s vs Dells best deal. If you really want an all-in one the Dell all-in-one has more ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and equivalent to $400 for free making the Imac still more expensive when you matching specs. Personally I don’t think the All-in-Ones are a good choice, and consider them overpriced, lack expandability and repairs both more expensive and require the entire computer.

PS: Apple knows that they need to make Macintosh look different than PC so all Macs except the Mac Pro will not have a tower option. Apple’s low end lacks expandability but it makes the Mac "look different", if Mac had a tower for low-end, more people would realize the similarities between the two.

Dell: (At The Moment) Specs Below costs $809
CPU: 2.4 GHZ Dell Inspiron QUAD (4 Processor) CORE
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: 3GB Ram
HARD DRIVE: 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD/CD Read/Writer
GRAPHICS: (upgrade to ) ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

The Mac Mini since it has no monitor, keyboard, mouse, very skimpy on options and setup and is not the best deal… The IMac is better price than the Mac Mini.

IMac ($1400)
CPU: 2.4 GHZ DUAL (2 Processor) CORE (SLOWER CPU)
SCREEN: 20inch Screen
MEMORY: (upgrade to) 2GB Ram (LESS RAM)
HARD DRIVE: (upgrade to ) 500 GB hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8x DVD Reader/Writer (1/2 speed)
GRAPHICS: ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB

http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&dt=SmallGrid&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn#subcats=&navla=55103~0~861680&navidc=Processor&navValc=Intel%20Core%202%20Extreme&a=55103~0~861680,55103~0~861681,55103~0~857204&page=1

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB323LL/A?mco=NzMyNjMy

Equivalents to ILife

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20070830_ilife_for_windows.html

http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=20518

LINUX INFO:

http://distrowatch.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.desktoplinux.com/

http://polishlinux.org/

http://www.ubuntu.com/

http://www.kubuntu.org/

http://www.freespire.org/

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

http://xwinman.org/gnome.php

http://xwinman.org/kde.php

http://www.linuxalt.com/

http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows

http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/

new pc games

I have one and I play Team Fortress 2 on it, Battlefield 2, Command and Conquer 3, etc, and can even run Crysis on low detail (Crysis lags though big time). BUT I am about to buy a GeForce 9500 for it.

With a slimline, you must be careful because only a select few cards can fit. Also the power supply issue as well with some cards. I am very happy with my Slimline though. The only problem is our Geforce 7100 is integrated, so our RAM and speed etc gets crippled due to the card

Not to mention its refurbished. I’ll never make the mistake of buying a refurb PC again in my life… wasted $800..

I tried to change the password on my laptop and accidentally pressed a button, and now all my desktop icons are missing, and the start button at the bottom of the screen. Whenever the laptop starts up the screen doesn’t show anything. Where can I restore my desktop icons and the task bar? Thank you..

You may try this.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and choose Task Manager, Windows Task Manager will display.

At Applications tab, click on New Task at the bottom, and type "explorer" in the form, then press OK.

Hope this help

I am going to buy a new gaming headphone for my pc, so i need someone to suggest me which brand should i buy.

TRITTON AX Pro Dolby Digital 5.1 True Surround Sound Headset With 8 Precision Speakers – XBOX/PS3/PC

They are almost $200 but they are worth every dollar if you do serious gaming.

I am starting my own business building computers and need to know where to buy cheap computer parts like motherboard processes etc..

The only one that I can remember is www.tigerdirect.com.
However, there are others that tend to sell in volume or discount. I can’t remember the website and did not book mark it since I was not into the vol situation.

I’m thinking about buying a laptop. I need one that has a good, bright, clear display. Some laptops have WXGA display. So how many types of monitors are there for laptops. And which ones are the best?

For a 15 inch screen, WXGA 720p is the best. Dont be crazy and buy a laptop with 1080p display. Its a waste of money

Hello, I am planning to buy a new pc desktop and I live in Belgium. Newegg doesn’t ship internationally and tigerdirect and ewiz ask too much money for transportation from U.S.A to Europe. So could you tell me some online stores that will ship to my country. Thank you !

Why Dont you Try My intergrated Custom Search on Google
Upper links may help you
Bookmark For future Searches

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner-pub-6828716762099822:kwm6ort73pj&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=buy+pc+desktop+online&sa=Search

How much can I expect to pay for a replacement motherboard in a desktop pc, specifically Compaq Presario SR 1010NX?

That computer was outdated when it came out. It’s also 5 and a half years old now. Many of the components that this computer uses aren’t in production any more. I’d be willing to be that the replacement cost of the motherboard is going to exceed the value of the computer if you can even find one.

I checked the HP parts website and the motherboard for this computer is no longer sold

http://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx?type=PROD&SearchText=DW254A

Time to buy a new box.

Useless desktop manager/motion sensor hack for MacBook Pro

http://steike.com/smackbook/

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The EeeBox PC is a mini desktop PC with huge possibilities. Since the Asus EBXB202-WHT EeeBox Desktop PC only requires around 20 watts of power, your carbon footprint is reduced by 90% compared to a standard PC. With a slim svelte design, the world’s smallest desktop PC allows an array of space saving options. Plus, it’s so easy to use. The simple intuitive interface lets inexperienced users get started right away. Enjoy easy living with the eclectic, efficient and eco-friendly Asus EBXB202-WHT EeeBox Desktop PC.

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