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It is all over television and magazine ads, and you might have run into those people who have different opinions than yours, about which computer is better: The PC or the Mac? Yes, there are two types of people in the world today that differ in their preference for a computer system, and they turn that preference into a side which they stand on thinking their choice is better.

In one commercial there is a hip guy who has been in cool movies as a side actor alongside a pudgy older guy who is confused about what is better: his choice of PC or this kind of funny guy who is telling everyone about how great the Mac is. The symbolism is super, the message is clear, but is that just a slander campaign or is that a fact?

PC just came out with a commercial a couple years late making an attempt to swing back at Apple.

In this video the decision to buy either a PC or a Mac might be swayed because of the ability of new PC laptops to play Blu-Ray discs. This is becoming a standard for PC’s. What does the Mac have to match up to that power?

Well, Popular Mechanics ran a real test to finally prove who is the stronger machine.

What a lot of people do not see in these commercials and are not told this by the companies, is that they both get there stuff from the same store. They are more similar than you think, they both use Intel processors, and both Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard have similar built-in media and internet browsers.

Now while the approach to these applications might be different, such as Macs’ Safari and Windows’ choice of Internet Explorer for a web browser, the goals are the same. But users are looking for that speed, that easy use, that perfect computer.

So Popular Mechanics decided to see which of the two had these three attributes. They used a Gateway One PC that was 400 MHz slower than the iMac, but had two extra gigs of DDR2 memory to make up for it. The test looked at how fast each computer booted and shut down, launch time for Internet Explorer and Safari, and other applications built-in put to the speed test, as well as ease-of-use and comfortable feeling.

So who do you think won?

If you thought PC, you are sadly mistaken my friend. iMac came out on top with numbers that beat the PC marginally. Both of them are very easy to use, very fast, and very comfortable. We have come a long way in the world of computers, it is amazing to see how far that it is and how awesome the capabilities are on these machines.

So which one should you pick? It depends on you and your preference, as well as on your environment. If you grew up in a predominantly PC neighborhood, chances are that crossing over to the “other side” will not happen. Which type of computer you use is almost a class of people now, as the divide between the two companies grows-the knowledge that they are very similar should not be over looked as the truth about these computers: they are the same!

Ensuring that the latest drivers are installed on your computer can go quite a distance towards shielding you against the much dreaded “Blue Screen of Death.” Drivers are files  upon which your software and hardware depend, facilitating conflict-free communication between the various programs and devices comprising your computer system.

For streamlined solutions that scan your computer for outdated drivers and provide the necessary updates, you’re usually looking at a fee. However, there is one solution that comes at no expense to you, provided as an absolutely free alternative that effectively assesses and addresses your driver needs.

Called Device Doctor, this utility is very easy to use, limited to just one screen from which you’ll be able to see what drivers are needed and how to obtain them. All you need to do is click the “Begin Scan” button, which will commence with a thorough appraisal of your system’s drivers, ending with a list that shows you which drivers needed to be updated. After the scan is complete, you’re prompted to download each update.

Although the drivers aren’t installed automatically, it’s still fairly straightforward, with very little chance of error. On the page for downloads, you simply click on that driver you want to install and sit back while it updates the driver.

With such a staggering variety of hardware all serving the same essential purpose, the number of drivers is just as varied, requiring you to be attentive to just what it is you’re updating. There is always the slight chance of Device Doctor linking you to an incorrect driver or one that has since been replaced by a more current one. If that happens, they provide a link for you to alert the developers of this utility to the error.

Saving you the time of hunting down each specific driver, this is a great tool that simplifies and hastens the important process of updating your drivers.

You can download Device Doctor here.

If you’re a user of Microsoft’s most recent operating systems –XP, Vista, and the recently unveiled Windows 7 – you may want to heed the latest warnings about new security updates released. According to reports, these recent security updates may be what’s precipitating a spate of system crashes that render the computer a lifeless black screen.

Coming by way of PrevX, a UK based security company, users of its security software began complaining of the problem last week. It would seem that Microsoft made significant changes to the ACL (Access Control List), which contains permissions for user accounts. This list of permissions communicates with the registry keys, making observable changes to the desktop such as the addition of a sidebar.

Unintentionally, however, the recent security patches are amending those registry keys. As a result, being unaware of those registry changes, a number of applications are responding with confusion – explaining the black screens during their use. We should note that those applications which seem  most affected are security programs.

 For those affected by this problem, PrevX has released a patch that would seem to correct the issue, bringing the registry in line with the ACL settings introduced by the security updates.

Not everyone is being affected by this problem, but if you feel as if you’re one of those unlucky users who recently suffered a black screen that may be tied to your recent download of Microsoft security updates, PrevX has released a free fix that can be downloaded here.

If you continue to experience problems, always feel free to give us a call.

With the release of Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system, many of the performance issues present in past installments of this PC mainstay have been addressed, showing a measurable improvement in areas that were once headaches for even the most capable machines. Still, despite what would appear to be Microsoft’s welcome response to the chorus of complaints about XP and Vista, the onset of problems is to be expected for even the latest release. No operating system is immune from the kind of error that results from any number of issues: viruses, spyware, negligence, etc.

Despite how it’s presently running, tomorrow could usher in a set of unanticipated problems, which is to be expected with even new machines.   Windows 7 (Vista, too) includes a robust set of tools – all included within one easily accessible menu — that the frustrated user can utilize when attempting to diagnose the source of a problem.

Accessing these tools is as easy as entering a command in the search box that’s located in the Start menu. Once you’ve entered “performance info,” you’ll be greeted by a window from where you can select Advanced tools.

After those tools are available, it becomes apparent that you have at your disposal an impressive assortment of diagnostic options that will – at the very least — aid you towards determining what lies at the source of your ailing system:

• Clear all Windows Experience Index scores and re-rate system
• View performance details in Event log
• Open Performance Monitor
• Open Resource Monitor
• Open Task Manager
• View advanced system details in System Information
• Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows
• Open Disk Defragmenter
• Generate a system health report

One of the most informative tools you can use is Open Resource Monitor. Like Task Manager, Resource Monitor provides an overview of your system’s resources, allowing you to manage the available resources (RAM, storage, bandwidth) your system has to work with. Unlike Task Manager, which is somewhat vague in its detail, Resource Monitor works at the micro level – meaning, you’re given a degree of specificity that illuminates how an individual process or application figures into the overall allocation of resources.

Another helpful aid is the Generate a system health report. Akin to having a physical at the physician’s office, this will assess your system’s health, generating an analysis that may enlighten you on what areas you should address when experiencing issues with your computer’s performance.Taking just a few moments, the system analysis will return a report that details every critical facet of your system. Using this diagnostic analysis, you will be left with a clearer picture of how your computer is faring. For example, if there is a driver that’s hindering your ability to listen to sound, this report will highlight that conflict.

These are just the tools that are fairly self-explanatory in their use and interpretation. The more advanced tools – such as View performance details in Event log – are just as beneficial, but they require a level of expertise that your average user may be without.

For even the most accomplished technician, the poor performance of a system will remain a problem that never permanently subsides.  If you have questions about the use of these tools, or would like to know how to solve any problems they unearth, Geek Choice Is always on hand to provide you that assistance.