There used to be a time when OS X seemed too impregnable for viruses and other types of malware. Mac users used to pride their machines as something that doesn’t need an antivirus.

Things have changed since then. The Mac’s rapidly increasing popularity has made it the Apple of every hacker’s eyes. Indeed, the major reason why malicious programmers have focused on Windows is because it’s the most widely-used operating system.

It’s only a matter of time when OS X would become as troublesome and problematic as Redmond’s OS . I don’t know if Apple will be able to ward off attacks from all sides. Maybe it will. But this doesn’t mean that you should just lean on your OS X’s maker for security. Start building a wall on your Mac as early as now by installing the necessary security suites that commonly litter Windows-based PCs. Antivirus and registry cleaner software are must haves.

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There are many things that you should consider when buying a computer. For many, these things range from peripherals to processors. If you have wads of cash to spare, then you would definitely not settle for anything less than a Creative GigaWorks S750 or a Harman Kardon SoundSticks II for speakers, and the latest Intel Core 2 Duo chip for your PC’s processor.

There’s a very important consideration, though, that lies beneath the glam of the unit, and I’m not talking about the processor. The PC-Mac rivalry isn’t just about which unit has the coolest shell design. Rather, it’s about which architecture can best serve the needs of the user.

Of Frameworks and Platforms

In order for you to be able to distinguish between a PC and a Mac, let me give a brief background as to their origin. While the term “PC” generally refers to any computer, it also has a technical meaning. IBM gave birth to the PC, and as such, the term refers to computers that are based on the IBM design. On the other hand, the Macintosh (Mac) is a computer built by Apple.

The two were made from different blueprints. The PC is based on the Intel model, while the Mac follows the Power PC architecture designed by Apple, Motorola, and also partly by IBM. Since they were made from different frameworks, the two computers cannot run applications designed for a particular architecture. In other words, you cannot run PC-based software on a Mac and vice versa.

An Attempt to Unify

There really isn’t a competition between the two. For one thing, the PC has long captured the market and is the preferred class or architecture. There’s a growing fondness for the Mac, though. However, the Apple fad isn’t strong enough to unseat the PC as the unit of choice.

While the PC and the Mac could definitely coexist, a good number of users of both platforms are clamoring for the unification of the two. Thus, in 2006, Apple boss Steve Jobs announced that the Mac would depart from the Power PC architecture and would already follow the Intel blueprint. The development now makes it possible for Windows to be able to run on the Mac.

The shift was not well received by die hard Mac fans, though. They consider the Macintosh as a novelty that shouldn’t be modified by the PC. This is one of the reasons why the compatibility issue still exists and that Windows still hasn’t invaded the Apple desktops.

Both Vulnerable

Some Mac fans claim that their unit is less vulnerable to malware attack. This may be true, but not due to the reason that their architecture or OS is more barb-wired than the PC. It could just very well be that hackers favor Windows as the object of their affection since it is the most popular operating system in the world. Macs do need protective software like the PC, such as registry cleaners and antivirus programs.

You should definitely consider the compatibility issue when choosing between a Mac and a PC. If you want to play it safe, choose a PC-based unit. It’s the architecture that is widely accepted and used around the world.

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Have you noticed Apple’s fast ascendancy in various fields?

While it hasn’t beaten Nokia and Motorola just yet in the mobile phone industry, it has definitely won the ears of millions of people around the world with the iPod. Its notebook is still considered as a novelty items by many, but it’s fast gaining ground in its attempt to unseat heavyweights, such as IBM, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Acer as the most wanted brand in portable computing.

I wonder if Apple’s OS would soon end Windows reign. Many doubt it, especially since the OS X has yet to reach a number of countries outside the United States. While I also share the same sentiment, I’m not totally closing the door on Apple. When the iPod was released a few years ago, I thought that the hype was just a fad. I was wrong. It totally shook the music industry and rearranged the order of things, with Apple on top of course.

Many expect the same kind of support for the iPhone. Unfortunately, a few technical, as well as business limitations, may have watered down the market potential of the gadget. But I’m sure Apple will think of something in order to entice people into dropping their N95 or Razr for the iPhone. The same thing is true for the OS X. It’s just a matter of time when Apple will start concentrating on its OS and make a bid for the distinction as the widely used operating system in the world.

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Catholics have this belief that every child that is brought out in the world has original sin. This sin comes from mankind’s biblical ancestors, Adam and Eve. In order to get rid of original sin, the child has to be baptized. After being Christened, the child begins life without any burden of sin.

That sinless existence also comes a few times in a PC’s life. The system doesn’t bear the weight of any needless software during the time that it’s taken out of the box. Of course, a computer is practically helpless or useless without any application installed in it. The first burden that it has to carry, then, is the operating system.

First Sin?

Many consider Windows as the first sin or burden of a computer. Everything seems to be perfectly fast and smooth when a new PC conducts that first run or check in DOS or Linux. However, such pristine condition or impeccable performance won’t last long. As no PC could ever survive or be useful without embracing Apple or Microsoft’s religion, the commission of original sin is consequently inevitable.

Putting it to the Test

Of course, operating systems are made to make things easier for the user. Hence, it’s quite wrong to look at it as if it’s Pandora’s box. Of course, your system will definitely slow down once it begins to run on Windows or OS X. That’s just normal considering that DOS or Linux practically needs just a fraction of processing power in order for it to function. In contrast, Windows or OS X will definitely put processors to the test, especially if it’s a single core model.

Still Pure

Despite taking up a few gigabytes of hard drive real estate, as well as keeping task manager busy, your PC should still be able to run smoothly after the installation of XP, Vista, or OS X. I’ve installed XP on a Pentium M notebook with just 256 of RAM and it ran without a glitch. Navigating through the commands or windows was seamless. The ease by which I was able to go through things or tasks made me wonder for a short while if the specs of my notebook were mistakenly labeled.

Problem in Disguise?

Slow PC performance starts when you install the other applications. You’ll definitely feel the drag after you’ve installed an antivirus. It’s already a given that the presence of a security software in your system will slow it down. That’s a consequence that every PC user will face regardless of the processor that he has.

Some users try to solve the problem by getting rid of their antivirus altogether and just rely on their cautious nature to ferret out malware attacks. Of course, this is a reckless move. Antivirus or other system utilities will slow your PC down. However, the greatest drag or burden that keeps PCs from running at optimum speed comes from malicious applications and not from legitimate ones. You may not notice this immediately, but you’ll definitely be noticing your nails grow while waiting for your programs to load if you’ll let your system roam around cyberspace without any armor on it.

Necessary

Do not court disaster by dispensing with system utilities that you think would just waste hard drive space or slow down your system. Antivirus programs or registry cleaners may take up some space and may sometimes demand a good deal of processing power every time they’re scanning your PC for malicious instructions. The small inconveniences that you’ll experience from scans and clean ups are nothing compared to the major hard drive sweep that you’ll be doing when unwanted software starts squatting on your main disk.

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