Mac questions

[Barc0de]

Considering new Macs have PC-compatible hardware, i m considering them as a viable option, especially due to the smaller space they take up, and me being on the move from house to house.

My question is: How do new Intel-based Macs cope with PC-legacy software , when running windows XP? Are DOSBOX etc and the built-in compatibility options of WinXP fully functional? Can I run older games/applications that worked fine on a PC with XP on those Macs, without any issues?

Finally, the Sound Blaster 16 question. What's the Sound hardware found on these Macs? can it handle SB16 emulation? or better yet, can i throw in my Live!1024 PCi board into them? (iMacs cant?:()

Do development kits and SDK designed for 2K/XP be ran on those macs? Do "bigger" macs even support PCi slots? (say if you want to plug in an ODEM card)

[Borman]

Windows XP works exactly like it would on any old PC. Everything works as it should.

What Mac are you looking at exactly? My Mac Pro lists the audio as just "Intel High Definition Audio", and includes Line out via 1/8th, Headphone 1/8th, Line In 1/8th, Internal Speaker, S/P-DIF Out Optical, And S/P-DIF In Optical.

The Mac Pro is PCI-e only, and while Windows PCI-e stuff works in Windows, it will cause OSX not to boot most of the time.

[Barc0de]

I haven't look through my mac-options yet.

I am still not making too much money, but I want a reliable machine with the versatility of the Mac.

Is the iMac a good solution in your view?My current PC setup is a P4 Northwood at 2.6Ghz, 1280MB of DDR 266Mhz RAM and a Radeon 9700 Pro. I have 2 HDDs , 40 and 80GB inside the box.

Is there a better iMac than the above setup out there for me?

[Borman]

The iMac is leagues ahead of that setup. As long as you dont forsee yourself upgrading (other then minor parts), the iMac is a really capable system. No PCi or PCI-e slots and limited upgradeability is the downfall of course. But its still a blazing system, thats well built, and will do everything you need it to do.

[Barc0de]

That's great to know. My needs haven't increased beyond my current setup. I use my system for work, surfing , and of course to play nostalgic and older titles.

[Borman]

Then youll be fine :) I doubt youll even have to leave OSX, even if the option is there.

[graciano1337]

The iMac is leagues ahead of that setup.

Yeah, they just introduced a new line of iMacs.



Drop dead sexy if you axe me (like most everything apple). The dimensions on this thing are crazy.

I showed it to my dad and he was like, "Where's the computer part? That's just the monitor right?"
"Oh how wrong you are dad..."

:110:

[opethfan]

Mac Minis have been updated too. All Core 2 Duos, just steer clear of the Combo Drives (Why the shit are they still selling them!?)

You should be able to upgrade the CPU (I think they're socketed mobile chips), and you can easily upgrade the HDD and RAM, on both low end Macs.

I love OS X.

[san186]

just some things to be vary off. If you use msn messenger alot then forgot using the version for osx and the numerous other equivalents..they are ALL shite. IRC clients are just as bad.
Also some buttons are missing off the standard apple keyboard such as printscreen and there is no hash key (there is a way to do it but ive forgotten)
If you plan to put windows on it, it can be emulated via parrels/vmware but 2gb of ram would be reccomended for good emulation (most apps run flawlessy and quick) However if you dont mind rebooting to switch operating systems..then bootcamp is the way to go.There are a few gay things apple have done such as limited the volume on osx you wont notice until..you switch to windows you will then hear the differance
If you are planning to soley use windows on it..you'll get much better value if you build your own system.

[Jamtex]

Even a seasoned windows user I am I remember that ALT+3 is #. How many people have ever used the "SYS REQ" button? Anyone? "PRT SC"? Probably use it one or twice every year...

I think one of the problems with both OS X and Windows XP / Vista is the fact they are all going down the road of looking pretty and not being wonderfully functional. I have Vista and people say still running Windows 98? And I say no, the Win 98 / 2000 look is probably the most functional. The Vista aero theme is probably the most noddy like operating system I've ever used. OS X is slightly better but still found it annoying.

As for software, most Mac software is on the PC, but more is available on the PC. The new macs are nice and you could run both, but unless you need something that looks sexy sitting on your desk or you need to run a specific Mac piece of software, you're better off buying a decent PC and spending the money left over on decent upgrades and then use the change to take the other half out.

As for notebooks, look at the Powerbook and then look at what HP do and notice you can get a much more powerful laptop for much less money.

One thing is the new Macintosh (and Sony come to that matter) keyboards do feel like the chiclet keyboards of early 80s home computers. Then again the clicky IBM XT keyboards which were made of metal were the best and even the middle 80s macintosh keyboards were some of the best keyboards I've ever used. If only I could find a Apple Serial Bus to USB convertor...

[Borman]

just some things to be vary off. If you use msn messenger alot then forgot using the version for osx and the numerous other equivalents..they are ALL shite. IRC clients are just as bad.
Also some buttons are missing off the standard apple keyboard such as printscreen and there is no hash key (there is a way to do it but ive forgotten)
If you plan to put windows on it, it can be emulated via parrels/vmware but 2gb of ram would be reccomended for good emulation (most apps run flawlessy and quick) However if you dont mind rebooting to switch operating systems..then bootcamp is the way to go.There are a few gay things apple have done such as limited the volume on osx you wont notice until..you switch to windows you will then hear the differance
If you are planning to soley use windows on it..you'll get much better value if you build your own system.

Command-Shift-3, captures your screen and saves a high quality shot right to the desktop. 100x better then print screen.

AdiumX is the best IM client Ive ever used, Windows, Linux, or OSX.

The only thing I havent been able to get to run natively (or seemingly) is EVE Online. Everything else has a replacement for Windows, the same program, or better yet, can be made to run in OSX. I have Battlefield 2 running in OSX, no Windows booted or anything. Still goes through a different program, but apart from missing ground textures (I dont think the program is suppose to be out there), its awesome.

[Barc0de]

Value for money, that's very important as you say, since i m mostly intending to use it as a PC.

Nevertheless, form-factor adds to the value for me, since I m a frequent mover, and I can't afford to have a full-blown PC hanging around with its parts and accessories branching into a jungle on my desk.

Alternatively, do you think there are laptop computers of equal or better performance at the same price? (namely 1.500 $) I hate laptops for their bad heating habbits and small keyboards, let alone the fact that they re noisy little bastards.


Is the new iMac "cool" (ie, any issues with heat?does it get hot?) and, is it noisy?(at all?)

[san186]

heat issues dont get a macbook then..mine is dead quite and cool untill the fans kick in..its like your thighs are on fire..and its quite heavy (5kg)
but with all the stuff you get with it (and student discount) it was to hard to resist:D..thanks for the tips guys..il give osx another go as soon i find a good mirc alternative:D

[Jamtex]

They aren't called laptops anymore they are more notebooks. That way you can't sue them when the computer barbecues your nuts a nice golden colour when the Core Duo processer decides it should show you it's kettle impression. Saying that when running on batteries, I normally turn the CPU clock down to between 0 and 10% and it hardly gets warm.

[the_steadster]

The macbook is the way to go so long as you don't need real graphics. About the footprint of a book, but nowhere near as big (32.5*22.7*2.75cm) or heavy (2.3kg) which makes it good for lugging around!
I was going to get a new one through educational discount (around 10%, varies with different products) but instead looked in the refurb store and got a slightly older one for a lot cheaper.
Its my 2nd mac and I wouldn't get any other laptop

[madhatter256]

if mac could play my PC games then I'd get one! That's how good they are lol.

[Borman]

It can :o

[san186]

Barc0de..toys 'r' us are getting rid of mac stock very cheap (.mac subscription £15, core duo mac mini 1.66 ghz £200 etc ) it might be worth popping down your local branch and having a look

[Barc0de]

There's a toys'r'us in the UK?!

[limey]

There's a toys'r'us in the UK?!

Yup - I'm pretty sure I remember them opening one in Woking & that would have been well over a decade ago.

Here's their store finder page: -> http://www.toysrus.co.uk/framestatic...r.htm?zone=Tru