who's running XP/bootcamp on an Intel mac?

[BLINGMW]

bootcamp?

well of course... I'll check out some of those emulator type things soon

[ViPER1313]

bootcamp?

well of course... I'll check out some of those emulator type things soon

It's almost as good as buying a PC.....almost.

[Mike]

bootcamp?

well of course... I'll check out some of those emulator type things soon

don't bother if bootcamp is working fine.

bootcamp = direct load = direct to hardware = fast
vmware = virtual load = many layers to ahrdware = slow

the virtual machine stuff is really only good if you have menial tasks to do in the other OS.

[JackoliciousLegs]

I guess it's late, but good work on the MBP. Best computer I've ever bought. I'll never go back to a PC... but that's a different argument. I've got games on my OSX install and Parallels running XP for work.... (our software package is based on IE only)

PS Parallels is wicked fast for a VM. I've never experienced virtualized windows that I feel comfortable working in every day all day.

Oh, and for those of you that are all about the cost savings, I put my macbook next to my friend's new dell laptop... we compared features for features, cost for cost... mine was a little cheaper and had more features... and it looks nice ... oh and it doesn't have to run that shitty windows thing... BAHAHAHAHA (who's starting a fire under evan's ass?)

[BLINGMW]

Oh, and for those of you that are all about the cost savings, I put my macbook next to my friend's new dell laptop... we compared features for features, cost for cost... mine was a little cheaper and had more features...

well now on that I'm surprised, after seeing this a couple days ago on DealMac, and I agree the MBPs seem overpriced. Maybe they make all their $$ off that one and practically give away the regular MacBook? I don't know:


Is one MacBook Pro C2D worth two Dells?

A new Dell 30% off coupon today made us itchinÔÇÖ for a comparo. Is the new MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo worth two similarly-equipped Dell Inspiron Core 2 Duo laptops?

In this corner is the all-new MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz 15″ Laptop Computer. Upgrade it to 2GB of RAM, and it costs $2,174 with free shipping.

In the other corner is the Dell Inspiron E1505 Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz 15″ Laptop Computer. It costs $1,108 once you sort it out. Juggle its specs a little (120GB 5400rpm hard drive, 128MB Radeon, DVD burner) to more closely match the MacBook and it costs $1,031.

This Apples-to-Oranges (heh) comparison is complicated by the many features of the MacBook Pro  its 667MHz RAM, built-in iSight webcam, software bundle  the list goes on. But the question is, for the same money, would you want one MacBook Pro or two arguably similar Dells?

[Evan]

fire? *shrug*
Im not sure why you think I give a shit.

I use computers for a purpose, not a trendy lifestyle item. Windows machines do it better for cheaper.
If macs are your thing for whatever reason then more power to you. (by the way if your friend paid more for a dell laptop than comparable mac laptop he is an idiot, as chans article points out)

Maybe if there is a hack to let regular PCs run OS X Ill give that a shot. Ive played with it a bit but most of my Mac OS experience has been the vile OS 8 and 9


I do find it pretty gratifying however that Macs are now just PCs with a different OS. That and their whole marketing campaign is (and always has been) based on slinging mud on PCs.

[Apoc]

"We're awesome because we're not them!"

Sadly, the campaign works on a lot of people.

[WRXtranceformed]

I haven't read through the entire thread, but the only thing I've ever felt comfortable using Macs for is graphic design in school. Otherwise, I despise everything about their OS interface and their retarded futuristic-looking hardware. I remember the ones we used at JMU... who the fuck wants to hold a round shaped mouse?

[JackoliciousLegs]

I use computers for a purpose, not a trendy lifestyle item. Windows machines do it better for cheaper.

Eh... I'm fine with using a computer for a purpose. I've always been a windows fanboy and after some time owning a mac, I just feel like there's no need to go back. I spend less time getting it to work that I ever have with any other computer. It makes me wonder what I've been doing all these years tinkering... well... either way, I'd recommend a good faith shot on OSX before you give it the immediate thumbs down. Its not just the OS... it's everything about using the machine. I haven't shut my machine down since I've gotten it except when getting on a plane.

Bleh... whatever. It's a computer. I bought it for the same reason I'd buy a bimmer if I had the money. I could afford a taurus easier and just tinker all day long getting it to work better... or I could spring for the M3 and just enjoy it.

[ScottyB]

I haven't read through the entire thread, but the only thing I've ever felt comfortable using Macs for is graphic design in school. Otherwise, I despise everything about their OS interface and their retarded futuristic-looking hardware. I remember the ones we used at JMU... who the fuck wants to hold a round shaped mouse?

lol...my thoughts exactly. i hated that no-right clicky stuff

[ViPER1313]

My problem with Mac hardware / OSX is that while trying to be user friendly it makes every job more difficult. They also donÔÇÖt offer the long term compatibility that Windows 95-XP has offered.

Examples:

-Entering the BIOS / changing the boot order on a PC vs Mac - Any PC will tell you to hold the F(x) key to enter the setup, Macs don't tell you. This is supposed to stop the Mac user from messing up the computer, but infuriates me when I try to troubleshoot one.

-Ejecting CDs: PC, hit eject button. Mac... have to go to the CDRom drive icon and hit eject.

-Deleting files from removable media: PC, deletes files from the disk. Mac, says it deleted the files but instead puts them in a hidden folder and doesn't free up any space on the media?????

-Quitting a program: PC, hit X in corner, closes the program and frees up memory. Mac, effectively minimizes the program to the launch bar at the bottom of the screen but doesn't free up memory. The more stuff you have open the slower the computer runs. Have to manually go to each program on the launch bar and quit out of it to clear it from memory.

-Adding Ram or a new piece of hardware: PC, usually doesn't void warranty and there are usually 1 or 2 Ram / PCI expansion slots. Macs, voids the warranty and there are rarely PCI expansion slots.

Not to mention that PCs have a much greater range of software to choose from and now use the same hardware that Macs do (although it doesn't look as pretty it costs a hell of a lot less.) PCs also kill Mac in long range software / hardware compatibility - many programs that were made for Windows 95 still will run on Windows XP or Vista. Can you say the same thing about Mac OS 8 programs running on OSX??

[JackoliciousLegs]

Why do you ever need to enter the BIOS on a mac? Installing ram, reinstalling OS, dual booting, adding a hard drive. None of these require the bios on a mac. When I want to eject a cd, i push the eject button. When you delete a file on a pc, it goes to the trash as well, only on a pc, it shows that space as free. What happens when you try to use that space to save another file. (Error 34u30x395082083)? On a mac, when you delete something, you just have to remove it from the trash if you want it gone gone. Same as on a pc.

When I quit a program, i hit apple+q. If i just want to keep it running, i x it. it's just a different paradigm. that's all. Macs just suggest more ram (which it utilizes MUCH better). PS... I added more ram. My warranty is fine (checked with apple).

PCs have a greater range of software blah blah blah. yeah, they do. But since switching, I haven't not found a piece of software to do what I wanted to do... and I do some funky shit on computers. Backwards compatibility... nope. You're right. This thing only runs OSX stuff.

Oh, and the right click thing. I had an issue with that in the past too. Now i just put two fingers on the pad and click. Nifty!

Again, I have no problem with PCs. I love hacking together parts as much as the next nerd. Earlier, I was just trying to express my earnest amazement at how little time I spent fidgeting with my new macbook as compared to what I was used to on PCs and linux. They're not for everyone, I know. If you love swapping in and out the latest hardware... if you love running that new piece of windows code that does x weird feature with x new hardware... if you like tinkering in small places that really shouldnt be tinkered with... PCs are really the only thing out there still. I guess macs just simplify everything. I can do my crazy network shit from a very easy gui. I can DL those weird new pieces of code that utilize the SMS (sudden motion sensor) and the ALM (ambient light meter)... I just do it knowing that I'm not going to get a virus (nor do i have to run virus software), that I can just trash the app when I'm done, and my computer will run rock solid after i kill it. bahh.. and macs are more expensive in general. and macs use a proprietary os. yes yes yes. i know.

Again.. buy the civic hatchcrap and HPDE that, or buy the new X with the warranty for 2-3x as much $$. If you had enough money to track the ferrari, wouldn't you do it? Would you still be toying with that civic vx to get the vtak? I would be tinkering... hell yeah.. i would be tinkering still. I would be swapping out my old busted brakes on my F430 to those new ceramic ones.

Ok, so PC:Mac != 94 Civic:New Ferrari but more like S4 RX-7:S5 RX-7. Just as many things to tinker with. Maybe you still want the S4 block to go with a bigger turbo. Maybe you like having lower compression for that, but man, that S5 is just more reliable, quicker as is, and sure as hell prettier... you just have to pay an extra 1-2k up front.

[JackoliciousLegs]

Dammit... can I just say I haven't rebooted my damn machine except to get on a plane. My windows installation crashes/freezes/slows to a crawl/requires a restart regularly though. The low point of this mac is the damn windows installation I have to use to run our IE only software. J$*(#*&@!!!!

[Evan]

you cant try to run windows on a mac and blame it on windows when it crashes.....

Ive never had stability problems with 2k or XP since they came out. Rock solid, never needs to reboot. That sucks that you have had bad history with that, but maybe its from all the tinkering?

My mac experience was the opposite when I worked on the macs in the art lab, but that was pre OS X so Ill give the macs a pass on that one. (although ironically Windows unstable past continues to haunt the reputation, yet Mac's does not. *shrug* )

[BLINGMW]

so I doubt I'll try any of the emulators for now. They all specifically say they don't support 3D games, so there's no point really. It is RUMORED that OS 10.5 will allow switching between the two without reboot, that would be pretty interesting. Would also really piss off the 3rd party developers, so we'll see. In the meantime, it works so well, 10.4 does this super tricky fast boot, XP boots quickly too, so switching between the two maybe takes 30 seconds. And it's quiet, and pretty, and the screen is excellent, even the built in speakers are good... I love this thing! :thumbup:

As a side note/product review, the Metal Gear Box 3.5 inch external drive enclosure gets a big thumbs up. (similar pic, the base on mine is slightly different/more substantial)



$25ish from newegg. I got one to put my old PC drive in, and it's really solid and well designed. No fan, which is fine for my small drive, but it has a nice blue glow, all metal case with nice fasteners, and turns itself on/off when the comp does. Both OSX and XP had no trouble seeing it.

I also got a parallel/USB cable and can now print to my salvaged LaserJet 2100. NICE.

[Evan]

so chan have you tried GTR2 or rFactor yet?