Mac Poll: Buy Intel, Secure Mac OS X, Go TV.

Mac news headlines so far this year have been dominated by the switch to Intel chips, Mac OS X security hacks, and lack of a TV tuner in the Mac mini.

Well, the first two are recent headlines, the last one is on my wish list. The Mac360 reader poll asks three questions and gives instant answer and survey results. It’s also free.

Bambi and Tera decided early on to wait for the first revision of a Mac with Intel inside. Early reports say both the iMac and new Mac mini are awesome and mostly early adopter bug free.

Bugs have also grabbed the headlines recently with Mac OS X viruses and security hacks. Some news outlets are calling for Apple to appoint a Security Czar, someone to oversee all the security issues Apple faces.

Finally, where’s my Mac mini with the TV recorder? Yes, it plays movies, photo slide shows, and music, but I want my TiVo in a Mac. Do You?

Since I’ve always done better at multiple choice than essay questions, I’ve compiled a Mac360 reader poll which asks the day’s most burning and pressing questions.

The first two are bonafide news issues, and the last is a burning issue for me, as Steve disappointed many Mac faithful by not including a digital video recorder built in to the Mac mini.

The questions are basic. First, do you plan to buy an Intel Mac and when? This year, next year, the year after, when hell freezes over (Steve Jobs said it already; hell froze over when they announced the switch to Intel).

I’m biting the bullet and going for a new Mac mini. Soon.

The second question has to do with security on Mac OS X. It’s been a hot topic the past few weeks, and there’s now a call for a point man at Apple, a ”Security Czar”, who manages and responds to security issues.

It would be nice if Apple would respond quickly when a problem or exploit or hack pops up, but I notice that Microsoft doesn’t have a security leader for Windows.

Maybe their security chief is one of Bill Gates’ kids. That would explain a lot.

What does all that say about Microsoft’s view of security issues? Their response to tens of thousands of viruses, spyware, worms, and trojan horses is not to improve the product.

Their response is to sell anti-virus software.

So, does Apple need to do one better than Microsoft and appoint a Security Czar?

Business Week magazine seems to think it’s an idea whose time has come.

Security will remain a big issue for years to come. Apple needs to make sure they control the issue.

Finally, there was plenty of disappointment (from media pundits and Carol’s husband; me) that Apple didn’t include a video record capability in the new Intel Mac mini.

Think of it as a Mac mini meeting Elgato’s EyeTV 200 in some sort of techno mating ritual. The spawn would be me shelling out $599 in Apple Tax money that included Apple’s version of TiVo.

A Mac that can record TV and playback TV shows on a TV (and the Mac)? Is that something you’d like on your next Mac?

We came up with all the questions, now you get to supply a few answers (anonymously, of course). To check out the questions, and click in your response, Click Here.

To see the results on votes by other readers, just Click Here.

Check out the daily list of our 9 Word mini-Reviews at NoodleMac, and Kate's daily in-depth Mac software reviews at PixoBebo.

Off Topic #23 - Mac OS X Leopard is now at version 10.5.2 which we’re proclaiming the best yet, though we expect version 10.5.3 soon. If you haven’t upgraded yet, don’t forget that Leopard is on sale at the Mac360 Store, and so are the latest Leopard books. If you plan to order Leopard or a Leopard tips book from Amazon, please consider using the Mac360 Store to place your order (it’s really Amazon). Click Here to look at the latest Leopard books.

Off Topic #58 - Do politicians use personal computers? Of course. We’ve heard Barack Obama prefers a Mac, while Hillary Clinton uses a Dell, though, apparently neither of the candidates can bowl. Does Obama’s potential vice president use a Mac? Even Clinton acknowledges Apple’s brand power but says she can’t afford a Mac. Maybe she’d win if she used a Mac.