Windows XP on a Mac (Yes, it's true!) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Tyler · 04-05-2006, 03:31 PM

Hell hath frozen over folks

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp

Bobblehead · 04-05-2006, 04:05 PM

I've been reading where it is the firmware upgrade is now providing BIOS emulation and that is the key. Well, that and drivers, but without BIOS emulation Windows (or Linux) wouldn't even install.

Red · 04-05-2006, 07:02 PM

Great, so now you get to spend double the money for half the proccessing power just so you can run Windose XP

I gotta admit though, I've always wanted the small iBook, but the OS X was what kept me away from it.

Bobblehead · 04-05-2006, 07:28 PM

Well, the point is so that people who like Apple but still need/want Windows for certain apps now can get one machine (Apple) and do both.

Barnes · 04-05-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red

Great, so now you get to spend double the money for half the proccessing power just so you can run Windose XP

I gotta admit though, I've always wanted the small iBook, but the OS X was what kept me away from it.

Not sure what Macs your talking about? Hacked Macbook Pros (pre Boot Camp) with Win XP are blowing away other laptops of similar specs. Why not try OS X? You're going to basically be using it in 3 years when Vista comes out anyway.

evman150 · 04-05-2006, 10:58 PM

Steve Jobs is selling out.

I hate Macs anyway.

Reaper · 04-06-2006, 08:49 AM

Isn't this one of the signs of the Apocalypse?

Frank the Tank · 04-06-2006, 09:35 AM

First Intel, now this. Oh dear. The takeover begins.....sad sad days.....

arsenal · 04-06-2006, 09:42 AM

I can't wait until the virtualization CPU's come out. Apple apparently has one that runs Windows faster on a Mac than it runs on PC. It will be sweet. You can have all the OS's you want installed on your machine, and switch back and forth.
No more dual-booting!!!

erex · 04-06-2006, 09:55 AM

wow thats gonna be pretty sweet

hopefully it will be good for games

Barnes · 04-06-2006, 10:33 AM

If by selling out you mean offering people chioce then I guess.

This is great news for things like games and the occasional software package that will Power PC or a Universal binary. What are anti-mac people gonna bitch about now? Same hardware, same software and more.

Hell won't freeze over until MS gives you an option to boot Linux or Windows built in Vista.

MarchHare · 04-06-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I've been reading where it is the firmware upgrade is now providing BIOS emulation and that is the key. Well, that and drivers, but without BIOS emulation Windows (or Linux) wouldn't even install.

There have been Linux distros that run on Mac hardware for years.

Anyway, this should be great news for everyone. Apple hardware (especially their laptops) is just so much better than any other major PC brand (Dell, HP, etc.), but it's been lack of software that has kept people away from Macs. I'll still probably build my own PC box for games, but for someone who can only have one computer, there's little reason not to get a Mac now.

Bobblehead · 04-06-2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

There have been Linux distros that run on Mac hardware for years.

Yeah, but the new Intel platform doesn't have BIOS, it is using EFI. I know some Linux distros in the past could use EFI, but I hadn't heard about any on the new Apple/Intel boxes. Apparently the new firmware apple rolled out provides bios emulation.

I haven't played on an Apple at all in the past few years; everything I need to use/work with/play with is Windows based (other than MythTV, which I installed to force myself to learn linux), but I have always been intrigued by the Apple zealotry, but not enough to pay the Apple premium.

RedMan12 · 04-06-2006, 01:18 PM

I really don't get why people like Macs. I have used both macs and windows since I started using computers. I have done graphic design, 3d modleing, digital video editing and gaming. Also at work I use Macs. I have come to loathe macs and I enjoy my super windows computer.

Also macs are the easiest computers to hack ever. I am not even a hacker and I have disabled my boss's account and set up my own with administrator access just by holding down buttons when the computer starts up. (I read a tutorial on how to send the computer into thinking its started up for the first time and you can setup all new accounts) Back in the day my school computers had Fool Proof on them, a mac security program, so I just searched for the Fool Proof file and deleted it through Apple Find or whatever it was called and disabled the program.

I have not seen any advantages using macs for graphic design or digital editing. I prefer using Photoshop, Premiere, and Maya on Windows. Also Macs have hardly any good games on them and I hate Mac OS X. I can't even play classic macs games like Marathon on it.

So if your a mac user please tell me why its better, because I think they suck.

Frank the Tank · 04-06-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan12

I really don't get why people like Macs. I have used moth macs and windows since I started using computers. I have done graphic design, 3d modleing, digital video editing and gaming. Also at work I use Macs. I have come to loathe macs and I enjoy my super windows computer.

I have not seen any advantages using macs for graphic design or digital editing. I prefer using Photoshop, Premiere, and Maya on Windows. Also Macs have hardly any good games on them and I hate Mac OS X. I can't even play classic macs games like Marathon on it.

So if your a mac user please tell me why its better, because I think they suck.

Well the biggest advantage for me (graphic design in the packaging industry) is the stability. The thing never crashes. And, since we do a lot of production and pre press work, the ability to handle large postscript files on a Mac is far far superior. I love OSX, can't find any problems with it. If your main purpose on a computer is games, then Macs are not for you. If your main purpose is work and productivity, they can't be beat.

My dual G4 1.25Ghz Power Mac is 3 1/2 years old. My boss wants to get me a new quad G5, but this thing won't die. Its a tank. Never been in the shop. Not once.

Table 5 · 04-06-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red

I gotta admit though, I've always wanted the small iBook, but the OS X was what kept me away from it.

I agree. I mean who in their right mind would want an OS that is fast, stable, and logical to use for beginners and pros alike.

Red · 04-06-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

I agree. I mean who in their right mind would want an OS that is fast, stable, and logical to use for beginners and pros alike.

Who you ask? Someone who enjoys the compatibility and accessibility of a lot of software that's not available (free) for OS X.

OS X is great, BTW, it's the support that's not so good.

Windows XP as much as we all like to bash is a great OS. Unless MACs catch up in pricing I'll continue the Windows route. The slightly better OS X isn't worth the price tag it comes with.

Table 5 · 04-06-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red

Who you ask? Someone who enjoys the compatibility and accessibility of a lot of software that's not available (free) for OS X.

OS X is great, BTW, it's the support that's not so good.

Windows XP as much as we all like to bash is a great OS. Unless MACs catch up in pricing I'll continue the Windows route. The slightly better OS X isn't worth the price tag it comes with.

I used to be a PC user and thought that way too, but you know what? ever since I switched about 5-6 years ago, I have never felt that I am lacking in software options (unless one counts viruses of course!). All the major programs have Mac equivalents, and the smaller stuff, there is usually something very similar (and often better built) out there.

And as for getting things free, I haven't had much trouble finding Mac Torrents for virtually anything. They might not be as common, but they are definitely out there.

octothorp · 04-06-2006, 06:24 PM

I'm really so-so about this. My fear is that it will hurt Mac software development, and over time less software will be written for OSX because you can capture the same market and all the PC users as well if you just develop for PC. Certainly as far as gaming, I'd be really suprised if there's any sort of game industry for OSX in five years.

Winsor_Pilates · 04-06-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan12

So if your a mac user please tell me why its better, because I think they suck.

I guess it depends what you use them for.
I was in the market for a highly portable laptop with a long battery life and some good software for a student who likes to do homework and have fun with their computer.
My 12" ibook can't be beat for my needs for the following reasons.
-It is the cheapest 12" I could find, which rules out that Mac premium price people talk about.
-It has almost 6 hours of battery life, which to my knowlege can't be beat either. How many PC users can go to 4 or 5 classes without having to plug in once?
-I don't play games. I do basic multimedia stuff which i-life is great for.
-I find the software and OS extremely reliable. I have never once had a program crash on me, which was a daily occurance on any PC I have had.
-It is cool. I admittedly am a sucker for the look and gimics that macs are known for. I like the looks my ibook gets when I pull it out at school and I like the accessories etc. that can accompany it.