Q: Desktop replacement?
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Nov 9, 2013 4:38 AMby LowLuster,Yes any Mac being sold currently will do all that. But be advised that you will need to replace all your software or install Windows on your new Mac to run the Windows versions of the software you currently own.
Given those facts are you sure you want to switch platforms, Windows to Mac OS X? And you do know that the hardware in a Mac is exactly the same as what is included in all Windows computers. Same CPUs, GPUs, RAM and hard drives (Now we will get posts about how Mac hardware is different than what comes in a Windows PC and that is totally false. They are the same just different form factors).
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Nov 9, 2013 5:11 AMby ry86,That is something I've been pounding my head against the desk trying to decide. (Windows 8 vs OS X). I have a Windows Phone (Lumia 520) and actually like the Metro UI a lot on it. But when playing around with laptops, I just didn't care for it as much (more so on non-touch screens).
When looking at Windows laptops, the best ones were around the same price as MacBooks (although there was the Lenovo U530 for $900 that seemed pretty good).
Software isn't that big of a deal. iMovie should fit my needs for video editing, and I know of one (forget the name mind you) free RAW editing tool for OS X (& Linux & Windows). Not sure if iPhoto handles RAW images.
Also Handbrake is cross platform. I'm using LibreOffice just fine in Linux, although do have Office 2007 in Windows. Granted, the security issues with Office has me thinking of going to Libre there as well.
Those will fill my needs just fine until I do decide on new software. Not sure if programs I use are effected, but I know some people have had issues with older software (that worked on 7) with Win8.
I guess a secondary question....How does OS X stack up against Windows 8 in terms of security? I have only ever had one malware of concern in 14 years of Windows computing. Reading about these zero day attacks and esepcially CryptoLocker, I'm more concerned with security on Windows (I know CryptoLocker doesn't effect OS X & Linux...yet).
Would I still need the software firewall and/or AV program with OS X?
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Nov 9, 2013 5:16 AMby Alancito,Welcome to the Support Communities.
ry86 wrote:
Although the way resolution works does confuse me.
This Apple doc may help:
MacBook Pro: Frequently asked questions about using a Retina display
ry86 wrote:
...the Air has less issues than the Pro (keyboard/trackpad freezing, burn in's etc. on the Pro).
The keyboard/trackpad issues were recently fixed:
"This update addresses an issue where the built-in keyboard and Multi-Touch trackpad may become unresponsive." (Source)
ry86 wrote:
Portability isn't that big of a deal for me, as I'll only be moving it around within my house (tired of being stuck in one spot on a desk). But I won't be taking it out with me, so weight/size etc. doesn't matter.
So you don't need the small weight advantage of the Air. Option 3 would be a good choice with its extra large SSD for your future RAW images and video. By the way, with built-in Thunderbolt and MagSafe connections, the Apple Thunderbolt Display transforms any new Mac notebook into a complete desktop workstation.
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Nov 9, 2013 5:37 AMby LowLuster,At this time you can still get most all Windows computers, or versions of Windows computers, from most all major manufacturers with Windows 7 preinstalled. But you have to go through their Business end and not the consumer end. No businesses at this time wants Windows 8. Just to much of a change in the GUI for them to deal with.
IMHO Security is between your 2 ears. No platform is immune, although there are very few viruses/malware/hacks that affect the Mac OS X platform, But there are some.
My biggest problem with Apple and the newest Mac computers, along with most of their other products, is they are all now SEALED units. No User Upgraded can be done once the system is order and or bought. It is what it is and can't be upgraded in any way after that. Along with even Apple has a hard time taking them apart to fix whatever might go wrong with them. Which is not the case with the Mac's I have previously owned or present Macbook Pro I have now. And things do go wrong with them, just look through these forum.
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Nov 9, 2013 9:42 AMby Alancito,ry86 wrote:
Not sure if iPhoto handles RAW images.
Yes, it does — see this Apple doc:
OS X Mavericks: Supported digital camera RAW formats
ry86 wrote:
How does OS X stack up against Windows 8 in terms of security?
See this Apple doc:
OS X Mavericks: Protect your Mac from malware
Also: "No computer system is completely immune from possible attack, but Apple’s OS X (being Unix-based) is less vulnerable than most..." Read more in this ASC member tip:
Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security
ry86 wrote:
Would I still need the software firewall and/or AV program with OS X?
OS X has a built-in software firewall — see this Apple doc:
OS X Mavericks: Firewall pane of Security & Privacy preferences
Note: All Apple docs were found by searching here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search
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Nov 13, 2013 2:54 AMby ry86,Just an update. I gave Windows 8.1 a shot (free 90-day evaluation of the enterprise edition), and while no where near as bad as I thought, I have run into a fair amount of software compatability issues, as well as a number of crashes with Metro apps.
So I looked into the MacBooks closer and have decided against the Air...However I am torn between two Pro models now.
MacBook Pro 13" (same as above, option 3)
-2.4Ghz i5 (Turbo Boost 2.9Ghz)
-8GB RAM
-256GB SSD
-$1,550 (CDN)
OR
MacBook Pro 15"
-2.0Ghz i7 (Turbo Boost 3.2Ghz)
-8GB RAM
-256GB SSD
-$2,049
Since I am going to be handing down my Windows desktop to someone else, this will be my new "desktop", so I still want something powerful enough. I like the idea of a Quad Core on the 15" (as well as the extra screen real estate). Is it much more powerful (for the extra money, close to $600 with taxes).
I was reading yesterday about security and how many of the bigger threats today are actually browser exploits that (quote from the article) are "OS agnostic".
I only asked about security because I get tired of my Windows machines getting bogged down by security software (AV, Firewall etc.).
Thanks for all those links
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Nov 13, 2013 3:58 AMby Alancito,ry ~ You're welcome for the links.
ry86 wrote:
I like the idea of a Quad Core on the 15" (as well as the extra screen real estate). Is it much more powerful (for the extra money, close to $600 with taxes).
I would say, yes, it is much more powerful — but not just because of the Quad Core. ...That particular 15" model also has a more powerful "pro" graphics chip, which would be used during your HD video projects. See the highlighted part below from Apple:
"The 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Retina display features Intel Iris Graphics, which boost performance by up to 90 percent — so it can handle both everyday tasks and graphics-intensive creative apps. Scroll through large photo albums with ease. Play games with amazing detail. Even connect an external display or two. It’s just another way this 13‑inch MacBook Pro is small on size and big on performance.
The 15‑inch MacBook Pro has a phenomenal display — with the graphics power to match. Its fourth-generation Intel Core i7 processor features Iris Pro Graphics with 128MB of embedded memory, which accelerates processor- and graphics-intensive tasks by acting as an ultrafast cache. For even more impressive graphics performance, choose the 15‑inch model that combines the power of Iris Pro Graphics with the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M. With 2GB of GDDR5 memory, it has twice the video memory of the previous-generation NVIDIA graphics processor. So you see many more frames per second in 3D games and get greater speed and responsiveness for your HD video projects." (Source)
