All O/S's have their strengths and weaknesses, all have their purpose. Don't rely on any one O/S to do it all, you will just be asking for trouble. Analyze what you will use the computer for the most and determine which O/S will be the most beneficial. All O/S's are vulnerable to viruses, and hack attacks so it really depends on what you want to do and what you want to learn. Don't just be an MCSE or Certified Redhat Engineer, etc. it's best to learn what you can so you will be more valuable to your next employer or just more well rounded for yourself.

2 Pennies

Also just an FYI. All PC O/S's are based off of the Bell/AT&T Unix operating system (Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, DOS, Sun O/S, AIX)

you cant realy saw that anymore cuz Windows is SOOOOOO..... diffrety then any MAC or Linux OSes...

yes they all use that basic codeing the same almost but just because something uses the same codeing doesn;t mean is all the same in the long run...

its kinda like saying... my car is made with steel so its all the same as a Honda...

Not so Windows basic underlying kernal is still basiclly the same as Windows 1.0, Windows286/386, WFW, etc... not much has changed just the GUI.

(edit) Also the comment on the steal would be more like the GUI, the Internal Combustion Engine would be more like the base code.

I'm not too fond of Apple laptops. Their hardware reliablility is questionable.

The Dell Latitude series is top notch and very reliable. It's a commercial-grade laptop.

I'm going HP when I buy my laptop next month.....Don't really care for anything else out there.

From what I heard from many many people is that Dell's are just generically produced, mass distributed piles of shit.

I disagree. Mac is an alternative operating system the same (altho more accepted) as Linux/Unix/BSD etc. As for the Mac hardware, it is well made and "dressed to impress". I do agree that they are overpriced and I see the whole Microsoft monopoly on software being the same as Apple's monopoly on hardware...

And you're right about the virus thing. It's not common to hear of Mac viruses however Apple just released a 30Mb patch to fix some 26 security holes in response to the recent exploit. I've heard a lot of people say "If I get a Mac I don't need antivirus." All this talk is doing is lulling people into a flase sense of security. With Mac only having 6% of the market share, sure you don't hear much about virus problems.

As for the buy, I'm leaning towards the HP but, I've got a meeting with the boss on Tuesday..... till then all is on hold.

Thanks to all for this conversation. Keep the thoughts coming! :lol:

Ya I'd definantly pass on the Mac....

I hate them personally....


School computers ruined it all for me.

It's funny cuz all major computer brands use similar name branded parts inside for the most part, and most of them probably have their Mobo built in the same country, if not the same factory.