The Sunday Post XV

Posted in Mac Stuff,Tech,The Sunday Post,Windows Stuff — by Don on 08/19/07

Or Windows vs. OSX Installation

This week the lad managed to get some real nasty crap on his laptop, which used to be my laptop. Anyway, that’s what you get for doing a google search for AIM and installing whatever is linked on the first page of results.

So, yea, spyware and god knows what. When I say nasty I mean nasty. The stuff that doesn’t ever shut off. Well, it does, but then starts right back up again. Also killed his wireless (which is always odd to me…if spyware disables wifi, what’s the point?) which is good so it didn’t spread.

So, for the 2nd time this week, I had to install Windows. I also had the chance to install OSX. As far as the experience, I would have to call it a tie.

When installing Windows it keeps you up-to-date on the process the whole way, from start to finish. It’s pretty quick for the most part and simple. When installing OSX, it seems to take longer because it doesn’t provide any progress indicators, just the apple on the screen for what seems like forever.

Winner: Windows XP

After the install there is a shed load of updates that have to be installed for both OS’s. Windows update has to be run, reboot, run again, reboot again and run once more to make sure you got everything. On OSX you download, install, reboot. It’s about the same amount of files (unless you need SP2 on XP) but without the extra reboots, it’s faster and easier.

Winner: OSX

Once updates are applied, then it’s time to tweak. Install programs, adjust settings and all that. I would say the experience is the same on both, but with Windows you get the added benefit of getting to install anti-virus.

Winner: Close, but OSX but a skoosh

So, I would say the experience is about the same on both, or pretty close to it.

Yes the lad was spoken too. He will ask me next time he needs help getting something downloaded and installed. At least he better!