Buying a laptop / taking a road trip

[Annah]

Mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac

btw... Get a mac! :p

[lerxstcat]

Mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac mac

btw... Get a mac! :p

He's already on the trip, apparently with the basic $350 Toshiba he mentioned planning to get.

[Grim]

I use Avast, too, and I love it, as well as Malware Bytes and CCleaner. I always uninstall Norton and McAfee completely because they're a pain in the ass.

Norton and McAfee are very good at detecting malware. The problem is that when they detect something the response is something like this: "Malware detected! Your computer is FUCKED! Have a nice day! By the way, please subscribe to Norton Internet Security 2012!"

As far as paid anti-virus, I strongly reccomend Kaspersky AV or Internet Security. I have had the most success with blocking and deleting threats using Kaspersky. F-Secure comes a close second, followed by Trend Micro. Avast! is very good for free, but it doesn't hold a candle to paid anti-virus. Malwarebytes is one of the best pieces of freeware there is, but keep in mind it doesn't protect your computer from malware, only deals with it once it is in. I would disregard CCleaner as most people find it relatively useless.

[Grim]

I'd just like to point out that I've never seen a malware/virus problem on Vista or Win7, even with really idiot users, so you don't need to load up on anti-virus programs.

I have. I get PCs in the shop all the time with malware. For all of my customers I reccomend Kaspersky anti-virus. It is the AV I personally use.

Malware is more common on XP because it is older and has many security flaws. The only reason Macs are relatively safe from viruses is that the majority of the population is still using Windows. There has been more Malware discovered for Mac recently and I strongly reccomend getting a commercial Antivirus for your mac (Kaspersky offers a mac version).

Windows can do everything that Mac can do but better. Even in the graphic design department (Where Macs are publicly believed to rule) - what platform do you think games are made on? Windows. There is no better place to see graphics than in games.

[rjohnstone]

Mac

btw... Get a mac! :p

Show me where you can buy a new Mac laptop for under grand.
$999.99 doesn't count.
They simply don't exist.

[Annah]

He's already on the trip, apparently with the basic $350 Toshiba he mentioned planning to get.

OH POO!

Show me where you can buy a new Mac laptop for under grand.
$999.99 doesn't count. They simply don't exist.

True, but you get what you pay for. I know, I know, I didn't believe it either... until I got one.

[RacerX]

I guess I'll use this thread to update you all on my trip! I am sitting in a motel in West Sacramento; man is it hot here! I'm right next to the A/C....

My flight went well...the Extra Legroom seats (extra $10) = WELL worth it! You are first on board the plane, you get the extra legroom promised, and they are in the 1st 4 rows, so quick exit, too! I even had the whole row 4 to myself, heh. Turned on the GPS for a cheap thrill (said "Driving northwest - 503 MPH")

More later!

[heartfielder]

Come on by NY and I'll have a few beers while you eat your salad !! Have a great Trip !!

[Rsmacker]

And stay away from any crazy looking Brits on motorcycles.

Top advice there, I keep hearing it, but have never yet seen this bloke, strange that.