The internet is already replete with chitter-chatter on this issue, but as I just bought an Apple Mac (OS X yadda yadda…) I thought I’d summarise the important information that helped me decide which computer to buy.
In a nutshell, the following stats to me mean that an Apple Mac is a lot cheaper in the long-run as it is a lot more stable and reliable (I had to wipe my old PC harddrive every few weeks, it was so unstable even with the latest security features). I also hope Microsoft wont be a soppy bad loser about it and continue to learn from this - that’s the only way companies - like empires - survive in the real world.

I’ll also include a link to a comprehensive article on this contested and disputed topic as the person who wrote it knows a lot more about this topic than I do.

(thnx to Martin H for the following stats)

Microsoft Windows:

Viruses and Worms = 17,500 (symantec.com)
Spyware and Adware programs = 78,000 (www.pestpatrol.com)
Burrowers = 40 (www.pestpatrol.com)
80% of PCs infected with spyware (webroot.com)
Last year (2004) alone:
- 500 new Trojans (www.pestpatrol.com)
- 500 new keyloggers (www.pestpatrol.com)
- 1,287 new adware apps (www.pestpatrol.com)
- 7,360 new viruses and worms (symantec.com)

Mac OS X:

Viruses and Worms = 0
Spyware programs = 0
Adware = 0
Keyloggers = 0
Burrowers = 0
Trojans = 3 (symantec.com)
Last year (2004):
- 1 Rootkit (symantec.com)

Further reading:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/12/16/windowsstyle_security_hell_stalks_mac/

‘Lance reports being “driven crazy” when Mac users grin at not falling victim to another Windows virus or malicious code attack. He’s free to rebuild his machine after each new attack if he wants, and needs to know that Mac users are grinning at not having to worry about such things getting in the way of being productive.’ - Richard Forno

Update - just found a hilarious article comparing Microsoft to the Borg. I have exactly the same problems with MS Word as this guy:
http://www.mymac.com/showarticle.php?id=506

hit counter