Apple or Microsoft XP?

angelikamartyn · 10-21-2007, 04:55 PM

Hi guys,

Wonder if you can help?

I'm in a stick I saw a thread on here a few weeks back where posters referred to Microsoft patchs caused problems for internet users!(Some internet sites wont load)

I am currently using Microsoft XP on a Gateway computer, I know not brill but for what I use it for, it does fine, what concerns me is the OS. For months my surfing is so slow its like watching paint dry, I know I'm on dialup but I do get a log on of 46666bps each time.

I have seen the new Apple Imac all-in-one and its taken my eye, never used Apple before, I am not too concerned about the format and layout, but can anyone answer the following questions for me.

Is Apple far superior or better than Microsoft for surfing even on dialup, ie none of these patch problems? Can I install my old printer and scanner on Apple?

I would be grateful for your knowledge, I don't want to spend £800 to find I have the same problem!

**Fox** · 10-21-2007, 07:07 PM

Dialup will be just as terrible on an iMac as it is on the gateway. Take the money you would have spent on the imac, and spend it on five years of broadband internet :D

Especially considering the old printer and scanner... finding old drivers for any newer operating system - especially a less popular one - is not a sure thing.

sinclair_tm · 10-21-2007, 08:16 PM

without knowing what printer or scanner you have, i can't say if it'd work on the mac. the best thing is to goto the manufacture's web site and see if they have mac drivers. but a sure way to tell is if they connect usb or not. if they are not usb, then there is no mac drivers for them. also, if its an older all-in-one printer/scanner, even if its usb, chances of it working on the mac are slim. but like fox said, you might be better off getting faster internet first. and another thing to remember is that most dialup internet provides are not mac compatible, and by that i mean is that their setup software is windows only, and their tech support doesn't have a clue on how to have you set up the connection by hand, which is what you'd have to do on a mac. so make a call to your isp and see.
another thought is that you could always get a mac mini, and then keep your monitor, and the keyboard/mouse you have (given that they are usb) and still get hispeed internet too.

10-21-2007, 04:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
angelikamartyn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Apple or Microsoft XP? Hi guys, Wonder if you can help? I'm in a stick I saw a thread on here a few weeks back where posters referred to Microsoft patchs caused problems for internet users!(Some internet sites wont load) I am currently using Microsoft XP on a Gateway computer, I know not brill but for what I use it for, it does fine, what concerns me is the OS. For months my surfing is so slow its like watching paint dry, I know I'm on dialup but I do get a log on of 46666bps each time. I have seen the new Apple Imac all-in-one and its taken my eye, never used Apple before, I am not too concerned about the format and layout, but can anyone answer the following questions for me. Is Apple far superior or better than Microsoft for surfing even on dialup, ie none of these patch problems? Can I install my old printer and scanner on Apple? I would be grateful for your knowledge, I don't want to spend £800 to find I have the same problem!

10-21-2007, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: Apple or Microsoft XP? Dialup will be just as terrible on an iMac as it is on the gateway. Take the money you would have spent on the imac, and spend it on five years of broadband internet :D Especially considering the old printer and scanner... finding old drivers for any newer operating system - especially a less popular one - is not a sure thing. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!