QUESTION: Windows XP Updates vs. Apple Operating Systems

July 2,2008 | me

[Yosemitest]

Windows XP updates are causing more and more problems with my laptop and I have Norton's Systemworks 2008, Systemworks Premier 11.0, and Ghost 12.0, as well as several other freeware programs.

I believe that Microsoft is intentionally trying to destroy Windows XP with unstable patches and service packs, so as ... to sell their new operating system coming out soon.

I'm seriously considering going to an Apple for my next computer, because I'm sick of Microsoft trying to squeeze more money out of me every two years, for a quote better system unquote.

Am I wrong,

or just too disgusted,
or do others think the same?

[DJ Frisat]

I agree with those who recommend against the Norton suite. I have also experienced severe system degradation that immediately cleared upon removal of Systemworks and Ghost.

Norton first came into prominence with the Norton Utilities many years ago, and it was great software. Unfortunately, (IMO) it’s turned into resource-hogging bloatware. I’ve been asked for help ‘cleaning up’ many friends’ systems, and I ALWAYS see an immediate performance improvement from uninstalling expired versions of pre-installed trial versions of Norton’s stuff.

In my opinion, the best software Symantec has released in the past several years is the Norton Removal Tool.

I have 5 systems running XP here at home, and they never cause problems. I keep up to date (manually) with critical Windows updates, apply service packs only after they’ve been proven reliable & benign by early-adopters, and use several freeware apps to keep things running smoothly.

I highly recommend:

Pirisoft’s Ccleaner (registry & junk removal)
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (detects insecure programs)
Spyware Blaster
Mike Lin’s Startup Control Panel
Mike Lin’s Startup Monitor

I also use AVG Free Antivirus, but the most recent version seems to be having problems reporting false positives.

[driftdiver]

You mean the area where Apple updates are listed above Windows updates?

[driftdiver]

I’ll second what others have stated, Norton is bloatware. Get rid of it, do updates manually but regularly, use CCleaner.

[KeyWest]

I had Norton for years but eventually dumped it because of problems. It seems to be the culprit on just about every system of people who are having problems and come to me for help. Try Antivir, avast or AVG 8, all free for personal use and all give good anti-virus protection. I have XP.

[clee1]

Norton has sucked for years. I don’t use them anymore.

[Big Giant Head]

If it were me, I’d lose the Norton. Some folks like it- but I find it a bit demanding of system resources.

A BIT? Norton is a hog. I've seen it take down a 2.4 gig processor 512 meg machine to a point it would take 15 20 seconds for a mouse click to be noticed. It totally crushed it, left it for dead. After I killed off norton, the machine ran great before I ran any defrag.

I agree that XP should run just great. No need at this point to buy a new machine. Not knocking getting a Mac, it's just not necessary.

[Yosemitest]

It's not only spyware and adware that concerns me.
Backups are an issue and Norton Ghost is what works for me.

But freeware...I'm using Spyware Blaster, Spyware Terminator, and Sypbot Search and Destroy.
I'm also using Hijack This, but I'm not proficient with it.

[Neidermeyer]

Lose NU and all other Norton crapola ,, get Ghost 2003 ,, the last version that worked... and replace your antivirus and firewall with AVG and ZoneAlarm .. you’ll be much happier.

[YankeeMagic]

Anyone reccomend a good free anti spyware program? I have used ad aware in the past but have heard the 2008 verison isn’t so good..

[Reaganesque]

My next computer will likely be a Mac. It is the better computer and operating system by far and with the software availability issue no longer a concern, there’s no reason not to switch.

[Glenn]

I have one of everything and have very few problems with any of them. My virus handler of choice is McAfee. It’s about $70 but worth it, in my opinion. I am testing Microsoft’s One Care on my Vista laptop and have had no problems with that. I’m neither a gamer nor an avid surfer. No Facebook or MySpace. The further you venture out on the Internet, the more likely you’ll hit a pothole.

[wolfcreek]

My IT SIL says Norton is flawed.

[wolfcreek]

AVAST.COM virus and malware home edition is free.

[newfreep]

A couple of weeks ago I saw an imac with a most amaing 24: mintir - resolution was shockingly clear.

I have a small business and my website software (MS FrontPage) requires Windows. Although I'm aware Mac can now run Windows programs, I assume I would still have same Windows issues even if running my Windows software on a Mac platform?

[Gorzaloon]

These same considerations caused me to start running Linux on a dedicated machine alongside the XP Professional I have been historically using. Since doing that several months ago I've been very happy, while slowly - one app at a time - moving my work from Windows to Linux. For me the last hitch is detaching from MS Office - but from what I've read I think it may just be possible.

Open Office transparantly runs all my MS Word and Excel documents. I can open them, create new docs, etc. on either system and jump back and forth at will.

[Gorzaloon]

Norton has sucked for years. I don’t use them anymore.

Agree. It is poison, and sometimes harder to remove than a virus.

[doc11355]

You'll never regret upgrading to a Mac; I've converted dozens of your fellow Windows sufferers and everyone consistently was delighted. After you've made the switch, you'll probably regret that you didn't do it sooner.

Unless you insist on a laptop, by usual suggestion to home computer users is: an iMac with a 24" monitor; complete system is $1,799.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac?mco=MTE3MDM

Hints: go here for an overview with video tutorials about the reasons for and advantages of switching. There's also a Most Frequent Questions section:

http://www.apple.com/getamac/whymac/

Also, if you live near an Apple store, buy there and take your current PC (viruses, malware, trojans and all) to the store - they'll transfer all your personal files for free.

Don't bother buying Norton or any other "security" software; you won't need it ever again.

[Jim Noble]

Once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

Swordmaker may know more about with windows-on-mac issues. I am not quite there yet. I don’t know how he does it, but he keeps up with the mac stuff here on FR...

[Little Pig]

Thanks for your input. The machine is (eventually) for my daughter, who wants to be a pilot and eventually an astronaut (at age 3, and with no prompting or “suggestions” from me, just encouragement). So I want to have a machine that can provide as realistic an experience for her as possible when she’s ready. Having it on a home machine means I can dial it way back so it’s easy for her to handle at first, and then add on layers of complexity as she advances. Plus, as an IT geek myself, it’ll be a good chance for me to do my first homebuilt machine. I’ll probably run (shudder) FlightSim X, on XP, though I’ll try the opensource FlightGear as well, which I can run natively on the Linux partition.