Macbook...

macbooks are for sheep who follow "style" and advertising blurb.
"I am different, therefore I want the same computer as the other artsy/different people".

My take (and I'm guessing here)...

There is a lot of hostility toward Microsoft. That makes for a lot of attempts to disrupt PC/Windows systems.

There is little, probably very little, animosity toward Apple. Less attack attempts.

(But there is a fair amount, and growing, animosity for the Mac missionaries. ;o)

Not a geek, but my take is that either system is fine. The days of Mac superiority for graphics is over. PCs are generally less expensive and can run a wider range of software.

Mac's come installed with a built-in Firewall in every computer they sell. Actually, the first thing that you should do with any computer (read Lan's Faq) is set up and activate your firewall "before" you hook up your computer to the Internet for the first time. With Mac OSX in "Stealth" mode, I do feel pretty secure while online however, I know that somewhere there are hackers and other undesirables hard at work looking for ways to get into Apple Computers, either to grab personal information or to spread a virus. So, constant vigilance is a must. I do have virus scanning software on all of my Mac's, and run security updates on a regular basis.

I check my Firewall attempt log every once in a while, and there could be anywhere from 10-100 blocked attempts to break into my computer every day.

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<hr>macbooks are for sheep who follow "style" and advertising blurb.
"I am different, therefore I want the same computer as the other artsy/different people".<hr></blockquote>

No offense, but that is just about the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Do you even understand computers?

There are plenty of reasons to chhose a mac over a windows PC, just as there are many reasons why you might want to choose a PC over a mac. It really depends on your needs.

My next computer will be a Mac because it's UNIX under the bonnet which is secure, the UI is consistent, and it comes configured with some sensible defaults which means you don't have to.

There comes a time when you really cannot be bothered any more to battle against services, device drivers, blue screens, upgrade conflicts, registry corruption, security holes, multiple user accounts not working right, WGA (I bought my laptop, it came with Windows, don't try and tell me it's not mine), and 1001 other pointless annoying things that exist just to drain your time, and I'm reaching it.

I'd rather relegate Windows to to some virtual environment where it can't do any harm to my data and I can run the odd piece of software which isn't on the Mac.

Maybe I'm a sheep.

/me: checks Luddite's fleece
Yup, wool ;)

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<hr>There comes a time when you really cannot be bothered any more to battle against services, device drivers, blue screens, upgrade conflicts, registry corruption, security holes, multiple user accounts not working right, WGA (I bought my laptop, it came with Windows, don't try and tell me it's not mine), and 1001 other pointless annoying things that exist just to drain your time, and I'm reaching it.<hr></blockquote>

I totally agree here. I'm about to make the move to my first Mac because I have wasted far too much time over the years trouble-shooting my PCs, reinstalling operating systems etc. I have a home music studio and I've never ever had a reliable setup, even after spending £1000 on a specialist music PC, getting software installed and configured professionally by said PC company, setting up a dual boot system to keep music apps separate from everything else AND having a separate PC for the internet.

So it's Mac time for me - I'm about to go the Macbook Pro Logic audio route. It's not going to be cheap, but from what I’ve been told numerous times, everything works straight out of the box. Wow, what a novel concept.

It's become fashionable to hate Microsoft, so that's all you see in the mainstream media - but you don't see many negative comments about Apple - mainly because of the hordes of unhinged zealots who flame you to a crisp if you have the temerity to challenge the Cult of Steve™ ;)

If you want a Mac, get one by all means - but get it because you think it's the best platform, not because a bunch of zealots run around telling you it's the best thing since sliced bread - make up your own mind. Go out and try one for yourself, ideally test it doing what you need it to.

If anyone thinks that Apple products work "right out of the box", based on past experiences, I suspect they're in for a surprise - particularly if they buy a new product. Do have fun though ;)

I've used Windows for 10+ years, and during that time I've never had a virus or spyware problem.

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<hr>If anyone thinks that Apple products work "right out of the box", based on past experiences, I suspect they're in for a surprise - particularly if they buy a new product. Do have fun though ;)<hr></blockquote>

Well, Logic Pro is an Apple product so I'm sure there won't be the usual hardware / software compatibility issues I'm used to.

I used to sing the praises of PCs saying how they're faster, cheaper and just as reliable as Macs these days. But after spending literally thousands of £££s on hardware & software and never having a reliable, stable system I think I proved myself wrong. I make a living programming Microsoft products so I think I have a reasonable knowledge of PCs.... But I have NEVER been able to acheive so much as stable MIDI timing in my studio, and do you know how frustrating it is (and unlistenable) to have a bassline that is out of time by a 1/16th note? For me a Mac is the last resort - either I try a new platform or give up my studio altogether and just stick to the guitar. I know people do have stable music PCs (and I have very occasionally) but overall I feel like I've wasted a large amount of time and money on 2 high spec PCs that have totally failed to live up to my expectations.

If I was an average home user I would not bother going Mac, but for music I think it's clear why you'd be hard pushed to find a PC in any pro / semi-pro studio anywhere.