Once the ugly stepchild of the computer family, today’s Macs are arguably the best machines on the market. Everywhere you look, Apple products abound, and the trend shows no sign of waning.

So just what makes Macs so popular? A big part of the fanaticism comes from the fact that Macs are virus free computers… Right?

The truth is that Macs actually are susceptible to some forms of Malware. But there are very few viruses out there to attack the Mac OS X operating system. One reason for this is that there are relatively fewer Macs online worldwide than PCs. Therefore, there isn’t nearly as much motivation for those who write computer viruses to actually write one to attack the Mac. . Authors of viruses can make a lot more money writing viruses to attack PC’s since there are significantly more of them online.

When the good people at Apple Inc. were coming up with the code for the Mac operating system, they employed quite a few people to make sure it couldn’t be hacked easily. See, Apple actually decided to test its OS for potential security breaches before its release. In doing so it made the operating system much more secure and stable for the end user.

What’s better than slowly peeling back the wrapping of your last Christmas present, making everyone around you die from the suspense of what’s inside? How about learning how to maximize all the fun you can have with what’s inside?

If you just got your first Iphone or Itouch, here are two secrets to getting the most out of the little guy:

Battery Life – One of the things I heard about the IPod before I purchased it was the not so hot battery. There are some things you can do to make it last longer.

Storage – Always store your IPod between zero and 95 degrees F. If you left it in the cold give it a few minutes to warm up before attempting to start it up.

Backlight and Brightness – There is a setting you can use to adjust he backlight on the IPod. You can use it to adjust the lights intensity during use and when it’s not in use. This is a great way to conserve battery power. Brightness levels can also be adjusted to maximize battery life.

Equalizer – If you avoid using the equalizer you’ll save some on battery life as well.

Apple Apps Store – This icon comes preloaded on the main screen of the IPod iTouch. Tap this icon and you’ll find a bevy of applications that can make you more productive (alarm clocks), get you up to the minute’s news and relax you with thousands of games. If you are wanting to get every little drop of usage out of your new toy this is a must have. The best part? So many apps are free!

Ah, it’s that time of year again. The sun is setting a little earlier every evening. The air is turning crisp. And the Apple stores are filled to the brim with computer hunters.

Fall always brings with it eager new students looking of the right computer to score those straight A’s and sweet babes. Ok, well a Mac alone might not get you straight A’s. But it could help you land that hottie in Comp class. Trust me, gentlemen—we dig the Mac.

So before you rush off to start shopping for your first Mac, consider a few options:

What shopping environment is best for you?
Since Macs can be bought either at the Apple Store, online Apple Store or any one of the thousands of authorized Apple Resellers you’ll need to answer this basic question. If you have quite of few unanswered Mac questions you may want to speak to a salesperson before making you choice of Mac. If not, let your fingers do the walking.

Is there an Authorized Apple Reseller in your area?
This may be important if you want to have the right people helping you maintain your cool new Mac after purchase. Resellers are also a great source for software and hardware needs.

New or a Certified Refurbished Mac?
Here’s a great way to get into a Mac if brand new is too rich for your wallet. Certified Refurbished Mac’s are just as good as the brand new ones. But of course if money isn’t an issue … you know what to do.

Primary use equals?
The final point to make here is making sure you buy the right Mac for what type of Mac user you are going to be. If you are into gaming you may want to make sure have lots of RAM, but if you are a photo and music hound then hard drive space might drive you.

Happy Hunting!

After watching Mac ads run on television for the last few years, one is left to ponder: How can anyone buy a new PC or laptop, and possibly feel even the slightest sliver of a microscopic slice of nanobyte cool?

The fine people in the marketing department at Apple Inc. should all be given gajillion dollar bonuses for burying the pc in the world of consumer electronics advertising.

Mac’s coolness meter is stuck in overdrive with Gen X, Y and Z. From the 1984 television ad introducing the Apple Macintosh, to the hipper than hip “Mac vs PC” television ads staring Justin Long, how could the PC hope to stand a chance at survival?

Years ago, owning a Mac was downright frowned upon; kind of like… well you know what I mean.

Now? It’s been a public relations bonanza the last few years, one big Mac party whose end is nowhere in sight.

What’s my favorite Mac commercial of all time?

Victoria Secret model Gisele Bundchen looking so sweet and so innocent, luring untold millions of pre pubescent teenage boys (and full grown men too) into the steamy world of Mac. Ok, Mac’s aren’t seedy, but you’re picking up what I’m putting down yes? They’re sexy, and this was the perfect commercial to showcase that.

Sex sells in advertising and Gisele definitely hits the proverbial nail on the head in the ad. It also didn’t hurt to have the disheveled dude in drag cement pc’s image as one thing no college guy wants be caught dead with.

In the last twenty years or so, the wizards over at Apple Inc. have taken a gangly, awkward young computer company to market and with a lot of hard work, both on and off the motherboard, transformed it into its own trend.

Rock on, Mac

Every day we are bombarded. Forced to make decisions we may or may not be ready to tackle.

Choices like… ice cream or chocolate chip cookies? M&M’s or crushed Heath bar in your blizzard? Paper, plastic, or reusable canvas? Pepsi or Coke?
Yes, my friends, corporate America has us making all kinds of “critical” decisions on a daily basis. So, when it comes to making that most essential of all choices (what kind of portable computer is right for me?) you may be worried.

But relax. This one’s a no brainer.

You basically have two choices here: Macbook or Laptop. Here’s how I see it: You can have a slow and “nostalgic” work machine—think, the efficiency of an AM radio or the speed of a horse and buggy—or you can slide into the driver’s seat of what feels more like a streamlined fighter jet.

Macbook’s user interface is unrivaled… it’s perfect for new computer users, and not too tough for those making the switch from the PC world. Worried about giving up Word? Don’t sweat it… there’s even Office on Your Mac available for the new Mac OS, Snow Leopard.

Ok, so the price tag is a little steeper on a Macbook than a laptop, with books starting at around $999. But when you factor in that you won’t have to pay for antiviruses or loads of other programs, it really evens out the playing field.