Mac OSX is not virus-free or has flawless security.

As for Windows-based infections, it depends on the nature of the virus. E.g. if it exploits an EXE executable, then it won't affect OSX because the latter runs on a completely different framework. In most cases, your OSX system is safe.

This is a great tip if you don't trust the user to not open random attachments, visit unverified links, install random crap, etc. It's inconvenient, but safe.

There have been many security exploits for the OSX in recent years, mostly from Safari. But definitely nothing compared to Windows, of course.

Running any Flash programs is resource intensive and will cause ANY machine to heat up. The difference is that other brand laptops will use some ridiculously noisy fan to compensate for the heat. Laptops will always run into more heat issues than desktops due to the much smaller enclosure.

Get Flash Block and AdBlock for Chrome.

To date, the only computer device I've known to meet battery life claims (without need to bend over backwards) is the iPad (Wifi only). Multitasking (e.g. iTunes), using WiFi, viewing Flash, etc will reduce your battery life significantly. 5 hours is pretty normal and is what most reviewers have reported, where 8-9 hours is when you REALLY bend over.

Chrome is more lightweight than Safari, assuming both are running the same extensions. You could stretch it by claiming that Safari is optimised for OSX and thus more efficient, though I don't recall anybody reporting such.

Cool tip: with Chrome and Safari opened, go into Chrome's address/search bar and enter about:memory for browser comparison. Take this info with a grain of salt if you so wish.

Wikipedia: Comparison of web browsers
I've switched from Firefox 3.6 to Chrome because the latter is less resource intensive, assuming no extensions are involved in either browser. Each Chrome tab is its own process, so if one (or more) crashes, it won't take the whole browser down with it. Chrome also allows you to create application shortcuts to websites. For example, I have Gmail as a separate application shortcut from the actual browser, so I don't need to worry about closing the tab or whatnot.

Opera loads pages faster, true. The browser essentially takes the contents of the website you're visiting, pre-render it in Opera's own servers, and feeds it back to your browser. But the main problem is that it strips SSL certifications from the sites, basically removing the security layer from secure sites, e.g. Gmail, online banking sites, etc.

Apple Online Store (Malaysia)

This post has been edited by Ojimaru: May 6 2010, 03:24 PM

SSD on a laptop is the ideal. While most HDDs have accelerometers and other safeguards, there will still be (minor) damage and wear when you move your laptop around and such. SSDs have no moving parts, reads very much faster, generates less heat and silent.

However, it'll be another 3-5 years before SSDs can match HDDs in size and cost.

Gelaskins and Uniqueskins let you make custom skins for your devices.

My tech guru Leo Laporte gave one of the best answers to this query last Sunday: get the machine that runs the programs you want. id est the best way we can help you decide is if you let us know what the main purpose of the laptop will be for.

iWork (including Pages and Keynote) are way better than MS Office for assignment work. As for gaming, all of Blizzard's games are Windows and OSX compatible, Steam is coming to the OSX in May 12 and you can always Bootcamp into Windows 7; you won't have the ideal specs for quality gaming purposes, but that's an area best left to desktops.

For uni, I would also suggest investing in a mini-display to VGA adapter for presentations, etc. Otherwise the portability-to-power ratio of the 13" and even 15" Macbook Pro is tough to beat.

What matters for group projects is the content, while you only need one person to do the formatting. If you're collaborating on content, Google Docs is king - or at least until Office 2010's web apps can prove otherwise.

Diagrams - Copy and paste in Google Doc's Drawing

Equations - I used to use MathType. But I hear you can use Grapher as an equation editor.

I still prefer iWork's UI over Office 2007. In my opinion, there are plenty of simple ways to work around the gap, without involving Office. So I suppose the unfortunate answer is that this is subject to personal preference.


Return it and get it exchanged. It's not an uncommon defect in any LCD screen, sadly.

iWork can save files as PDFs. This is assuming your institution accepts PDFs...

As for Keynote, I just bring my laptop to the presentation and hook it up to the VGA display/projector. I will, however, admit that it's SO much easier to fall into Keynote's trap of over-using transitions, which is never a good thing for professional presentations.

Saving to PDF is the final step. Nothing makes sense when you quote out of context.


Matte screens are preferred by people who work around places with lots of sunlight. The colours aren't as vibrant as the glossy screen, but you'll get a better contrast ratio.

Glossy or matte screen? What ambient lighting condition? Have you used a screen calibrator?

My HP Presario C700 sure can't. :/

---
May 11, 2010 12:26 Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia Processed -
ZOMG~!
---

Does anybody here use palm guards? Are they of any help on a 2010 MBP?

This post has been edited by Ojimaru: May 11 2010, 04:52 PM

All Macbooks are assembled in China. You can find the ETA of your Macbook in the email confirmation Apple sent you. Once it reaches Malaysia, it'll then depend on which company delivers the package. DHL was super fast for me: 12pm processed, 2pm received.

And I don't recall Apple having a return policy for such changes.

Think of what you just said and contrast that with Windows PC/laptops. Now think of the customer service provided by Windows PC/laptop vendors. Let me know if you think the general situation is really SO much better Apple's.

Wei, be gentle lah.

They probably installed the OS 5 weeks ago. That's my best guess.

With Incognito mode (or similar Private Browsing functions) and a private internet network (not open WiFi), it's much safer to order online. It's also a better experience for customising your order, should you want to. If you're unsure what you want, you can ask here or call Apple's switchboard.

http://store.apple.com/my/