First off i have to say i am not an "apple fanboy" i have been using windows my entire life. then i got a mac (after my windows got screwed by viruses lol) macs were design to handle tasking programs such as photoshop and media programs and miltitask. it is a refined, well done os. i use it for its original purpose (adobe cs4 FTW) and it runs great. viruses have not ever been a problem and i havent gone to the apple store scince i bought it. i still miss all of the compatability and openess that windows had but i think for the money you get a better product.

" Mac is Intelligent than Windows "

Lol at the reaction this article provokes. *thumbs up*

aPple is aTarded
iFone is sTu-pid
uGuyz rGay

tAblet will be total eJunk
almost noone will eBuy it

aPple eStock crammed down iToilet
next october @ $80 an iShare

iTards will eat tAblet and sTock

hA hA!!!

Granting there is virus in the Mac, Snow Leopard Operating System is still superior than any stupid Windows versions! The MAC OS is very intelligent and comes with ease of use. My hard-earned money just pays for it. I paid for it because I don't want to suffer from the Windows OS stupidity. Even deleting a simple file brings stress on you if it is open that even if you close it the same message "still" appears the file is being used. Stupid. In Mac, it is generally intelligent. Mac is 10 times better than Windows. I run both OS by myself. I use my Mac often than Windows. I only use Windows for reasons of updating myself on recent updates on both OS. For more than 10 years, Mac exceeds! The Windows is a 10 year back technology, trying hard to copy everything Mac's gorgeous user interface.

Having used windows & clunky machines to try to do stuff for years, I recently got a MacBook Pro.

My Son got a Dell laptop with similar spec. at around the same time. I have been using both in recent months.

The MBP is smart, elegant and sturdy. The Dell isn't.

OSX is easy to set up and use. Vista is just annoying.

I still can't believe what a bargain I got. I phoned Apple to try to pay them more money but they ended up giving me a discount. I was gutted, but that's life, eh?

I am an apple fanboy, but have been for a long time. This article is bogus, i run Snow Leopard and was not able to find any hits on anti-virus or mal-ware software on safari.

I have no problem with PC or Windows, i simply prefer to pay more for the benefits of not having to stress about crashes, slowing speeds, running programs i dont know about, and burning my lap when my laptop is on my lap.

I hope windows 7 is a success simply becaues all who use windows deserve a better machine with more reliability.

Its like CHEVY to INFINITI. WHat would you drive? Infiniti, you pay more but it runs better and longer.

You should prance in another field, here you will always get the tru... erm, heretic articles about your so beloved cult... That's it.

Dear Hexx,
Nick writes satire. Get over it.
His point of reference is the annoying smugness that stands next to the fat PC guy.

I am the fat blundering know nothing PC guy...and I love Nick's bloviating.

As you can see Nick, people are quite fed up with your articles. I'd like to learn/read something new about apple/apple products and so on but it's you who takes this experience away from INQ and I read relevant articles somewhere else. Is it that hard for you to stop that childish bullshit and write a proper article?

I think everyone here needs to think back to the yearly hacking contests that Apple loses in minutes compared to windows and linux which take hours to exploit a weakness. Just because there aren't enough Macs to infect to make a botnet that would create any revenue doesn't mean that your OS wouldn't be easy pickings.

http://db.tidbits.com/article/9529

like the first comment stated, i read nick farrell and i knew i don't have to read his rubbish.

he calls a malware protection a virus one.

Nick, every time I see an Apple article on The Inq, you have written it. Why?

Do you have some sort of Fetish? You certainly seem obsessed with slating Apple.

As for your criticism of Snow Leopard, well...

Calling it a Service pack: There are only a couple of visible changes to SL (Quicktime and Finder have been rewritten), but a whole lot has changed under the bonnet (better use of 64 bit CPUs and improved management of multiple cpus/cores being the two major changes). Hopefully, even Microsoft wouldn't introduce major changes to core OS systems in a Service Pack.

Security: OK, so Apple have added a system for blocking known Malware (not just Viruses). You claim this as a admission that the OS is insecure. Guess what? ALL OSes are insecure. Did you make the same claims when Microsoft bought Giant software and included their Antispyware product (as Windows Defender) into Windows? Surely spending 10s of millions of pounds on a product to defend your supposedly secure OS is a massive admission that the OS is not secure?

Apple in hot water over here? Haven't seen hordes of people complaining myself. I agree it's not fair that we Brits pay more than the Americans for our hardware and software, but Apple are FAR from the only company that charge us more. Intel do. Dell do. HP do. Who else? Oh, your apparently beloved Microsoft do as well.

I have no problems with Apple including anti-virus, malware and worm software in their OS. In fact it's nice to see a company be proactive for once. However, could this be seen as a challenge by the hackers out there? If it it, Apple beware!

the sweet scent of antivirus in the morning. So welcome mac users, to the day you start running your computer at half speed.

What's wrong with you? why do you have to fuck up every apple/jobs related article?

here's another one, http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/15241/1/

Just FYI VAT (or sales tax) is currently 15% in the UK. So that may account for some of the difference but by no means all, the remaining 7% comes from?

Not that Apple is alone in gracing the UK with price mark ups...

waaaaah!!! My name is Nick Farrel and I hate Macs! How I do hate those Macs.... let me count the ways.

You should change your career to bathroom attendant.

Gibbo, I'm not into the superiority crap from anyone: pc, mac, linux whatever. I don't really see Mac heads trouncing PC's as much as it's the other way around. I see insult after attack and then they say it's because Mac lovers have a superiority complex. So essentially, they just hate it that they love their Macs. It's because of those cute little simple Mac vs PC ads. So what. I have no problem that Linux lovers love their Linux. PC's or Mac neither. People get into heated discussions on one subject or another and it's good for the industry when people debate. But I do see the majority of disrespectful language coming from Mac haters. I see them opening their mouth without even using one or opening one.
Then we have morons who are comparing a $2000 computer to a $20000 CAD machine to prove how butch he is. Well, we have a $90,000 server kicking around. Big deal, we're not kids anymore so I'm not going to bring up that my father can beatup your father. :-)
There's always someone who has bigger and better. That's not the discussion.

So many things to say...
Firstly a disclaimer. I agree with Nick's attitude about 100% of the time.

I'm in the fortunate position of having to use both platforms constantly. I'm continually frustrated by MACs however. The lack of the ability to go right to the heart of a problem and fix it. But maybe it's just me. So I did an experiment.

I handed my father 2 brand new laptops (on loan) to see which was "easier" to set up and get going. A Toshiba and a Mac Book. Right out of the box. My father is very computer illiterate. The experiment was to give him NO instruction and see how long it would take him to get on the www and gauge his reactions along the way.

I don't have the space to give you all the details, but the main problem was the "lack of intuitiveness" in the MAC. That's right. At least in Windows, the Menus are in English. Not just icons representing pictures of a product. The menus in Windows were easier to navigate and understand....for him.

Anyway, I don't have a problem with MACs. My problem lies with the attitude of SOME MAC owners that think they are superior in some illogical way.

And how come Apple can bundle all this AV software with the operating system, but Microsoft isn't even allowed to bundle a Web browser that could be written by a 1st year grad student.

I'm just touching on a few issues here, but Nick, keep up the fine work of exposing the Apple fan boy double standards and ripping apart their ridiculous advertising that only reinforces the "superiority" complex that has become the Apple consumer.

I don't know what world you live in. I've got 2 guys downstairs maintaining 22K PCs. I've got another guy that has to regularly handhold the 100 Mac users.

I use both platforms. The Mac is a toy that does some computing. The PC platform is where the work happens. Funny enough, the PC platform is also where the fun happens as I'm not strictly limited to select hardware/software for gaming.

I had to go to the Apple store last weekend so the fiance could get some headphones for her new iPhone that actually fit her ears. Of course, I had to check my testicles at the door. There were plenty of folks sitting at the counter with their hardware (sharing in the Mac experience) with the so-called geniuses, trying to get their systems to work correctly.

Apple really is a religion. They should put pews in their stores. Their apostles are seemingly trying to reassure themselves that they chose the one true path in over-spending their hard earned money.

Use Fruit Fresh® and be done wit it.

Of course Macs aren't as complicated to maintain than windows or Linux boxes. I mean, if all you're going to do is surf the internet and watch movies or edit one picture here and there, then there's not much to administer.

It's not as if toys like Macs were overly complicated.

Yah, well I had the Amiga 2000 with the PC addon daughter card when I was a teen, and I loved my Amiga. I didn't think much of Apple, but then I didn't really use one. Most of my friends had Commodores so you stick with what you know.
In the same respect, I've seen a lot of Apple laptops and workstations over the last few years and your comments only show you have no idea what you're talking about. The quality is top notch for both hardware platforms. Open a case and you'll see server level ducting and very clean able runs. The orientation is very well thought-out. It's the same for Macs on quality. We've spent $2000+ on top of the line HP and Dell laptops that don't have the features and quality of Mac laptops.

It goes to show that Minotaur has penis envy and he doesn't know it.

PS: If you haven't seen a BSOD in years then you probably only have one computer that you play Internet on. Enjoy your Internet little child.
<somebody

Don't worry, some of us appreciate your humor.

Maybe it just shows that virus writers are seeing that is worthwhile targeting macs now as getting popular.

Personally i use a mac for what I want to work, and a PC for when I want to play, and don't mind fiddling about to keep it working.

Have ran Windows and Linux based MediaPC's, and it is just so much damn quicker and cleaner on a mac.

There's plenty of room in the world for Linux / Windows and Apple. Anyone that is anti-Linux / anti-Windows / Anti-Apple is just showing how ignorant they are. But then where would the fun be.

Have been a Mac hater ever since I had an Amiga 1000 and Mac users thought they where superior.. Just like ST owners whom thought they where better because of MIDI. ROTFLMAO

Good to see the flaming is still happening, keeps it alive :D

PS: Apple produces absolute iSHIT hardware.. OSX is all it has and thats thanks to Jobs and NeXTstep. BSOD whats that never seen one in years! lol a BSOD is really a test of intelligence of the operator these days. OSX, Linux everything CAN have a Guru Meditation!

Ditto

You know, I've always wondered why Mac hater are so vehemently attacking Macs all the time. I've finally realized it's because they hate being reminded what a pain PC's are to administer. If I add up all the support issues over the years I have never been more frustrated and annoyed than with Windows problems. It's taken years to get really good at keeping fleets of PC's humming along efficiently, but with Macs I don't have to work half as hard. You just do the most basic maintenance every few months and for the most part there aren't many issues. I think elegant simplicity envy is what haters have; they can't stand it when people remind them that Windows has flaws and problems. The internet is full of people hunting down what this Windows BSOD or that Event means.
We know Mac haters have been hoping that Macs get a virus, because they can't wait for any excuse to jump on them. Well, go jump on yourselves because it'll be a long wait for you.

PS: A double BSOD on you, haters!

Good article, Nick! Nice to see that British sense of humour at work.

Bottom line: Apple devices are for the ignorati of our society. Those that are too full of themselves to realize how empty they really are.

So just STFU fruity fanbois and write a reassuringly large cheque to St. Eve of Jobs as penance for all your computing sins past and present, and perhaps the estimed lard of all that is fruity will condescendingly promise to introduce even more reassuringly expensive toys designed to bring you closer to heavenly climax.

Now, be off with you, you fruity gits!

I had a Mac for 9 months recently, and sold it to get a PC. I got so tired of it. Now I am looking forward to Windows 7!

That is true. I have no experience with Apple. If I had, I would be one of the mindless Apple-admirer zombies, since I would have spent all that money on an Apple machine.

Nevertheless, I know some things. The OS does not run most of the stuff I want to run (latest games, 3d Studio, millions of tools that exist on the net for Windows). Also you do not get the option to get the latest, high-end hardware and you are limited to middle-range performance.

How a computer with limited capabilities and performance can cost 2x+ times the money of a top-end one, I do not understand.

It seems that fluff is very precious for some ppl. Not for me. If MacBook Pro cost as much as a netbook, I would definitely buy one. It is a sweet little piece of hardware. But 2000 euros? Sorry, no way. I prefer the real thing.

Snow Leper, genius!

LOL, thanks, I needed a good morning laugh, great post.

@Mike
I bet the closest you have ever been to using a Mac is at your local Best Buy, right? So now your an expert on OS X and Mac hardware. Maybe you and Nick should get together sometime.

Doesn't the UK price cleverly hide the oh so popular VAT of some ungodly high percentage in the price to keep the plebes unaware? Whereas, in the colonies, the sales tax is added after the fact, and in some cases, such as in "live free or die" New Hampshire, it is an astounding ZERO percent. None the less, those on the isle are still being taken to the cleaners.

If a product is designed so even a fool can use it, only a fool will want to use it.

Enter the Apple user.

Thanks for the article! It helped me to make my mind to finally stop reading this site. I understand that the writers have to stick to the "yellow press" style, but they are going overboard with the amount of stupidity. I will let editors from other sites read this gibberish. When they find something that is not a complete garbage, they reprint theinquirerer's stuff.

Mac OS is designed from the ground up to be used by noobs. Isn't it to be expected to be much more expensive (hardware + software total) for a subset of the capabilities of a Windows or Linux PC? The are going to pay. After all they are ...noobs!

Oh yes, I forgot. It has nice white window borders and a glowing apple on the back of the lid. That must justify the price.

This guy is just a sissy because mac is wayyyy better than pc.That virus was probably made by apple,and then they tried to see if it could get into the computer.Well,it failed. HA! PC stinks!

I gotta say I don't always like your posts - but this one had me laughing.

Then the comments slating it had me laughing even more.

All in all it's really brightened my day :)

(And to all those who say this is the reason Apple are secure... Doesn't the advert complain that the PC has to hide behind the virus protection to stay clean where as Apples can roam naked and free?)

The new Apple ads mention 1000's of virus for PC and mentions nothing about how Mac have none so that part of your arguement gets thrown out the window.

Macs have software that can run Windows so naturally they want to provide software that can stop any virus that might find it's way into Macs OS.

Lastly, even tho 99% of virus don't affect my Mac, I still don't want them on my computer, hints the software to remove them. No one said a virus cannot make it onto a Mac. But if it has nothing to do once on there then all that's needed is software to remove it.

So, again, nice attempt at making yourself feel better about your obvious lack of judgement when purchasing a computer. And good luck with it in the future.

Haha, keep up the great writing Nick. I don't know what's better, the "heretical" writing style, or the Macolytes taking such great offense.

So what you're saying is that Apple is now getting slightly close to how INCREDIBLY vulnerable Windows is to viruses...

That's like saying, you suck because you're almost as crappy as I am.

I wonder how much the Windows 7 "service pack" upgrade will cost Vista users?!

Maybe as much as it cost them to downgrade to XP? I love it.

But now there is "XP mode" for Windows 7 so that users never have to drift to far into the innovative future of Micro-cost. You can run in XP mode until Windows 8 comes!

what a bunch of hooey, Nick, and logical fallacy. Here's a better analogy, just off the cuff: Just because I put a lock on my door doesn't mean I am admitting someone would definitely enter my house if I did not install the lock. OS X has the equivalent of a moat, thick castle walls, and disorganized hordes outside mulling about who only speak DOS and Windows but launch endless idle threats: "oh, you silly OS X types, we will get you, you see, we fart in your general direction."

After 8 years of threats but no real viruses, it is still a reasonable course of action for Apple to 'install a lock' on OS X especially when this anti-virus software can catch Windows viruses that are "just passing through" on their way to a vulnerable Windows machine. That's just neighborly.

Nick, your father was a hamster, and your mother smelled of elderberries.

Which God are you talking about, excuse me for my quick typing, is that all you can say, haha. The article was funny, don't like it don't read.

As for a quality of the article, if you don't like it then write one, since your greatness is so perfect.

"You need to learn to spell" Better than you I am sure but you still made no comment on the article. Brain functions decreased in your side of the family.

"And possibly try to have that lobotomy you recently underwent reversed" This makes no sense, do you even know what a lobotomy is and why it was used for, google it oh wait you can't do that either.

As before no comments on article mostly Straw Man attacks, what useless genetic waste.

This are the same protections it has had for years. They are the reason the Mac does not have viruses. And they do not work like the stupid "Aprove everything" in Windows 7.

Well done on coming so high in the Google search rankings on Snow Leopard - the site optimisation rocks and works.

But normally I find Inquirer articles to be amusing as well as sarcastic and scathing - this one seems to have dropped the first part, in favour of merely sneery.

You need to learn to spell. And possibly try to have that lobotomy you recently underwent reversed.

Oh, and please stop condescending. You really have no reason to be, considering the quality of your article.

I loved the last part.

I for one sleep great with both Windows 7 and Soon to be Snow leopard, and yes I use Virus software on both, there are free version that do a great job.

But I have to wonder what are people downloading that is giving them so many virus, oh I so wonder.

Snow Leper? It's not funny; it's offensive.

"Welcome to the real world, Neo..."

This article is silly. What's your point?

I read Nick, then i stopped.