How do you protect your mac?

[Tacori E-ring]

What anti-virus program do you use?

 

[JSM]

I have symantec downloaded from my university, but honestly I haven''t really had problems with viruses and the like since I got my mac.

Oh, and I also used a trial version of MacScan (it only found cookies), but I haven''t bothered to buy it.

I think part of it is the fact that I''m using an obscure browser, but I can''t complain!

 

[neatfreak]

You don''t really need it with a mac, almost all viruses out there are for PCs right now.

 

[Elmorton]

Date: 1/20/2009 10:01:01 PM
Author: neatfreak
You don''t really need it with a mac, almost all viruses out there are for PCs right now.

Tee hee...my smart answer was going to be "when I put my mac in my tote, I put it in its scuba-suit (neoprene case)"

Maybe it''s being completely vulnerable, but neither DH and I run any anti-virus other than whatever is on it to begin with (anything?!?!).

 

[musey]

My husband''s a total apple buff, and one of our best friends works for apple... none of us use anti-viral stuff. We''re just smart about what we download/open. Like NF said, there''s not a whole lot to worry about with MACs.

 

[Porridge]

I''ve had my mac for over 2.5 years and I''ve never used an anti virus program and I''ve never had any problems

 

[ladypirate]

Agree with everyone above--I''ve never had a virus on my mac and I''ve been using apples all my life (with no virus software).

Apple puts out security updates periodically and I do download those, but it''s just part of the software update program.

 

[snlee]

I don't use any use anti-viral software.

 

[puffy]

i don''t use anything either and it seems to be fine.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I have been using macs my whole life (well since 2nd grade) w/o a program either and have never had a problem *BUT* I figured with the new popularity of macs might make them less safe on their own.

Separate question...do they make a cord (and if so what is it called) that I can connect two laptops (an old one and new one) to drag the files onto the new one? I feel like they do but I can''t remember what it is called.

 

[PaulaW]

Hi Tacori,
I really don't use any anti-virus software either, but I do regular security updates on both my desktop and Xserve.
As for connecting your two laptops, I would use an ethernet cable—looks like a bigger version of a phone cord and is typically used to connect to the internet.
Good luck!

 

[Elmorton]

Do both have a firewire port? (The little icon looks like a Y with a circle where the Y forks off and the stem and left side of the Y look like = ). I use the firewire port for my external hardrive laptop, and it''s a lot faster than a regular USB transfer.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 1/21/2009 11:27:16 AM
Author: Elmorton
Do both have a firewire port? (The little icon looks like a Y with a circle where the Y forks off and the stem and left side of the Y look like = ). I use the firewire port for my external hardrive laptop, and it''s a lot faster than a regular USB transfer.

Yup, this is super fast. There are also directions that come with a new mac when you buy it about how to transfer stuff easily. You can wirelessly connect network them together to transfer as well, google for directions.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Thanks everyone! I want to buy today but it keeps asking me if I want to add stuff to my cart. I do want the extended warranty even though DH says it is a waste of money.

 

[snlee]

I agree with your DH, extended warranties are a waste of money.

Are you getting a new laptop? Which one? How exciting!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 1/21/2009 1:37:16 PM
Author: snlee
I agree with your DH, extended warranties are a waste of money.


Are you getting a new laptop? Which one? How exciting!

I don''t know! Help me! I was just going to get the base macbook. I just worry b/c I did have the motherboard die on an imac I had in college. It happened at 13 months so obviously the warranty would be good. I usually do not buy them but I figured with Tessa always grabbing at it I figured it might be worth it. It''s $250 for a 3 year warranty.

 

[sklingem]

I''ll tell others to buy their own burger!!! Mwahahahah ... ahem.

 

[puffy]

i love macs!! i just got the new laptop when it was released. and i LOVE it.
i got the extended warranty with my old one only cause DH felt like i should because he figured it''s better than buying a new laptop. anyways, i had my old one for 2 years before i got the new one. i used the warranty to get a new charger cause the charger on mine broke. that''s it. i still use the older laptop. and if something is wrong with it and you bring it to the genius workshops, most of the time, they will fix whatever is wrong with it free of charge or replace the broken part, in my experience at least.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

puffy, my current one is an ibook G4. It is about 5-6 years old. I have put $150 into it for a new battery and a new plug (mine broke too). Both was done after 4 years. Maybe I should skip the warranty.

 

[swimmer]

Love the applecare warranty! I burn through a hard drive every year or so, it pays for itself easily. I just take the laptop in and they replace it. Do you live near a mac store? That is what makes it really useful, having it close by. I use iDrive for mac to save my hd online for free. It updates/backups every night. Have fun with your new purchase!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Hi Tacori!

I''d get the warranty. We have 3 macs--G4, G5, and a book. After 1 year, the motherboard crashed on the G5--Apple Care really came in handy. These machines aren''t infallible--ya never know.

Anti virus, though, I''d skip--no need for it.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

swimmer, there is an apple store here but I am buying online. It is hard to get to the mall with my DD. DH thinks I should get one of the nicer laptops but honestly I don''t think I *need* it. I am a practical person. Haha.

Coati, I had an imac in collge and the motherboard died too. Buying a new imac was almost the same price as fixing the old one. Annoying!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/21/2009 2:44:07 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
swimmer, there is an apple store here but I am buying online. It is hard to get to the mall with my DD. DH thinks I should get one of the nicer laptops but honestly I don''t think I *need* it. I am a practical person. Haha.


Coati, I had an imac in collge and the motherboard died too. Buying a new imac was almost the same price as fixing the old one. Annoying!

Totally annoying! My husband recently bought a mac pro--the G5 is now a backup--haha--so technically we have 4 macs! (I also have my old childhood Apple IIC!)

Anyway, the G5 baffles me--I don''t know why they use the liquid cooling fan. Liquid in a computer? Recipe for disaster imo.

Macs are great, but man, they can be a headache!

 

[Miscka]

To answer the original Q-I don''t have any antivirus on my iBook g4. I never had any problems.

RE: Apple Care...get it! I dropped mine (oops) and they were SO fast and amazing with the repair. Same has always been the case when I have used it on my iPods. Normally I don''t get extended warranties, but I do in this case!

Have fun with your new laptop! I am obsessed with Apple products. I can''t wait to get a new one in the fall when I go back to school

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Miscka, which one are you going to get?

 

[Miscka]

Well, a lot of the programs require the MacBook Pro

which is of course amazing but $$$$! I am not sure yet if I will do that, and if so which size. I love the iMac but am so used to being mobile when I work.

BTW I made a web site header in Photoshop today with a friend! It was so fun!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 1/21/2009 3:34:53 PM
Author: Miscka
Well, a lot of the programs require the MacBook Pro

which is of course amazing but $$$$! I am not sure yet if I will do that, and if so which size. I love the iMac but am so used to being mobile when I work.


BTW I made a web site header in Photoshop today with a friend! It was so fun!

Which programs?

Haha. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep me updated.

 

[neatfreak]

Tacori Extended warranties are almost always not worth it, EXCEPT for laptops and one or two other items. Even consumer reports recommends you think about it for laptops. I say get it.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

NF, I think I will! I think for $250 it is worth it. Plus there is the Tessa factor. Who knows what she would do given the chance. She has already pulled a key off.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Do you guys think the pro is worth $300 more?