DFWstangs Forums - Mac or PC

I Stang U

12-25-2006, 10:58 AM

i know i got the 24in imac for "xmas" and i was just amazed... not only does wow mac client fully support 64bit and multi threaded open gl... i went from like 20fps to getting a minimum of 80ish and if i do a /console fastergl 2 i get like 150 buts its a little choppy...

all the apps ive ever needed are on mac and run twice as fast and much less "issues"

I have a windows laptop until it blows up.. but it will be replaced by the end of next year.

Ronin6135

12-25-2006, 12:19 PM

i bought a mac laptop a few months ago for school and well it is awesome. I love the thing, I will probelly buy only mac products from now on.

Honneur 05

12-25-2006, 05:04 PM

Mac. 6+ years and counting. I will never go back to a PC ever again. (Unless its free)

DarkWolf

12-26-2006, 01:00 AM

Getting a 24" iMac soon. As soon as Apple announces when Leopard will be shipping, I'll decide if I can wait until Leopard is out, or just get one asap, but within the period where I can get the upgrade to Leopard for free.

cobra93teal

12-26-2006, 04:22 PM

depends on what you want to do with it....

12-26-2006, 06:46 PM

PS3 browser ftw!

evil jose

12-26-2006, 09:07 PM

New Mac owner here as well. Bought my first MacBook back in August and just picked up a MacMini this weekend. The only PC I'll be buying in the future will be a gaming rig. Other than that I'm fine with a Mac for every day use. Much more stable than Windows and for the novice user it's safer (and more secure) while having a lot of features for the advanced user.

Wish I could afford a 24" iMac :(

loud_pony

12-28-2006, 09:14 PM

[QUOTE=evil jose]New Mac owner here as well. Bought my first MacBook back in August and just picked up a MacMini this weekend. The only PC I'll be buying in the future will be a gaming rig. Other than that I'm fine with a Mac for every day use. Much more stable than Windows and for the novice user it's safer (and more secure) while having a lot of features for the advanced user.

Wish I could afford a 24" iMac :([/QUOTE]

Same here for the 24"

I just started a new job with small company. Lucky me they bought me a G5 with all the upgrades with 2 19'' screens hooked together. That thing is sweet. But at home I have a 17'' imac.

Stang2be

12-29-2006, 12:48 PM

I've put Mac OS X X86 10.4.6 in a VMWare image and now working on getting it running locally on a spare box.

AMD Sempron 3100, NForce3 250gb ECS board, 1gb ram, 64mb GeForce 2MX400.

Just seeing if I can get it to work first before I go invest money on a Mac.

I Stang U

12-29-2006, 01:37 PM

i had purchased one of the mac mini's for 500 bucks u can't beat it.. to see if i could transfer full time mac. Man was i amazed. so now my son will get the mini and i purchased the 24in imac, and little to say as soon as my laptop blows up and i save a bit.. a macbook pro is in my future :D

but now that i have aperture and many other apps that i am growing to LOVE i really don't know how i ever used a windows box, it litteraly makes me sick to have to deal with the crap at work :D

Also from my understanding Parrallel(sp) is goign to be support vista type apps if there is ever a need to run microsuck.... they are saying they are trying to build it so there is litterally no reason to own a pc :D

Sgt Beavis

12-29-2006, 10:14 PM

[QUOTE=Stang2be]I've put Mac OS X X86 10.4.6 in a VMWare image and now working on getting it running locally on a spare box.

AMD Sempron 3100, NForce3 250gb ECS board, 1gb ram, 64mb GeForce 2MX400.

Just seeing if I can get it to work first before I go invest money on a Mac.[/QUOTE]

It can be done. I saw OSX running on VMware when I went to VMWorld back in November. I'll try to dig up the hacks for doing it when I get a chance.

That said, I bought a 15.4inch Core2Duo MacBook Pro at the end of November. So far I've had no problems. I still need to run Windows so I'm running it as a virtual machine while beta testing VMware Fusion. You can that or you can dual boot any Intel based Mac with boot camp. Since the Mac is a pretty high quality laptop, it is a pretty low risk investment. If you decide you don't like OSX, just repartition your drive and boot to XP or Vista.

Since getting this Mac, I've gotten a ton of software for it (usenet is a wonderful place) I've managed to get all of my photographs scanned in and sorted in iPhoto. I even ordered a few hard cover photo albums which I gave to my parents and grandparents as Christmas gifts. During our Christmas party I ran a slide show of old pictures. It was a bit hit, everyone was crowded around the Mac until it was time to open gifts. I have also started editing video with iMovie.

There is so much stuff you can do with a Mac that I can't believe I didn't make the switch sooner. I really do like this thing.

Next year, after I pay off the MacBook Pro, I'm going to buy a MacPro tower. Then Jose can suck it with envy ;)

Sgt Beavis

12-29-2006, 10:19 PM

[QUOTE=I Stang U]

Also from my understanding Parrallel(sp) is goign to be support vista type apps if there is ever a need to run microsuck.... they are saying they are trying to build it so there is litterally no reason to own a pc :D[/QUOTE]

Yes, Parallels will support Vista. VMware Fusion will support it as well.

The new version of Parallels (which just went Beta 3) can also run your Windows based applications in something called "Convergence Mode." Convergence Mode makes it appear as if you are running Windows based applications natively on OSX, instead of in a virtual machine. However this is just cosmetic. The Windows OS is still running as a virtual machine and there is a lot more overhead than if you truly ran the application natively.

Codeweaver's Crossover Office is a Wine based API mapper that will let you truly run Windows based applications natively on OSX. The Mac version of this just hit Release Candidate 2 status but it has a little ways to go IMO. Still, I'm running Outlook 2003 with no issues.

DLinkOZ

12-30-2006, 12:26 AM

[QUOTE=Honneur 05]Mac. 6+ years and counting. I will never go back to a PC ever again. (Unless its free)[/QUOTE]

So what I'm hearing is... Once you go Mac, you never go back?

evil jose

12-30-2006, 02:12 PM

I'm running Parallels on my MacBook and at first I was disappointed with the features because of certain limitations such as not being able to access burn CD's/DVD's with it, certain limitations with the USB ports and running a continuous data (haven't tried it yet but I want to try and run my TwEECer R/T on my MacBook), and not having access to Bluetooth while running in Windows. Not really sure on the Bluetooth part though.

They've made some major improvements over the last couple or so months and it's turning out to be a really great project, much better than running Boot Camp.

I would be curious to see how well the VM Ware software works.

DarkWolf

12-30-2006, 02:35 PM

[QUOTE=Sgt Beavis]Yes, Parallels will support Vista. VMware Fusion will support it as well. [/QUOTE]

Also, don't forget Parallel's is working on 3d acceleration for 3.0 (the current Beta3 is for 2.0)... so hopefully it won't be long before you won't even have to reboot into windows to play games.

Then again, Transgaming has released Cider to game developers. Basically Cider is a wrapper tha will translate DX calls to OpenGL. There's no need for a client wrapper like Cedega, as the code is built in by the developer.

End user just buys the game, and it runs in OSX, just like it would run in Windows.

Of course if developers would just use OpenGL in the first place, porting to OSX and Linux would be a piece of cake (for examples: Quake 4, Doom 3, Unreal Tournament 2004). But with any luck, Cider will catch on with lots of developers, and it'll no longer be a matter of "Windows games" or "OSX games"... it'll just be games, and whether you own a Mac, or PC, you can go to the store and grab a copy of any game, and it'll play on your system without any problems (well... assuming the game is actually done when it hits retail. I'm looking at you Neverwinter Nights 2 http://www.dfwstangs.net/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif)

The Punisher

12-30-2006, 10:36 PM

I've always stuck with PCs :cool:

Ferendon

12-31-2006, 01:12 AM

I ride the PC/Mac teeter-totter. I prefer both, if that makes any sense. I like my PCs because I can custom build them, tune, tweak, install LOTS of shit. I like the Mac for the exact opposite reasons. There's nothing to fuck with. You plug it in, it WORKS. No drivers, no hardware issues, no IRQ/DMA problems, no fucking modem and sound cards not working at the same time, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's a matter of preference, but I, among with many of my friends, like both.

Sgt Beavis

12-31-2006, 08:39 AM

[QUOTE=Ferendon]I ride the PC/Mac teeter-totter. I prefer both, if that makes any sense. I like my PCs because I can custom build them, tune, tweak, install LOTS of shit. I like the Mac for the exact opposite reasons. There's nothing to fuck with. You plug it in, it WORKS. No drivers, no hardware issues, no IRQ/DMA problems, no fucking modem and sound cards not working at the same time, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's a matter of preference, but I, among with many of my friends, like both.[/QUOTE]

I'm in total agreement with you.

The main reason I went with a Mac is because I've gotten deeper into photo and video editing. The ability to run Windows simply sealed the deal. I've never been an OS whore. I run whatever works the best for me.

For instance I do a lot of virtualization at work. I run VMware ESX (which is an OS) for a huge datacenter farm. However I'm also running Linux with XEN and Microsoft Longhorn with its virtualzation layer (in beta) I'm testing these to see if they will be good customer offerings. At home I run OSX, WinXP, Win2k3, Fedora, and Umbuntu. I just use what works best for a given situation.

BTW, I give it another year or two, but I believe that eventually Apple is going to partner with another company to license its operating system again. I think that will be Dell or HP (preferably HP) I especially believe this will happen in the server market. Apple hasn't seen the market penetration they would like with Xserve, but if they offered the OS on something like an HP DL series server, I think they would make a decent dent into the enterprise environment.

Sgt Beavis

12-31-2006, 08:49 AM

[QUOTE=DarkWolf]Also, don't forget Parallel's is working on 3d acceleration for 3.0 (the current Beta3 is for 2.0)... so hopefully it won't be long before you won't even have to reboot into windows to play games.
[/QUOTE]

Yea, VMware is working on this on Workstation 6.0. VMware Fusion beta is built off the Workstation 6 platform, but they haven't offered 3D support yet. Since Parallels is going to offer it, I'm thinking VMware will too.

However, I believe the best option for running PC games on a mac will be crossover office. Several games are already supported for the Linux version and should run fine on the Mac when it is finally released.

BTW, you can pre purchase Crossover for $39.99 ($59.99 when it is released) Codeweavers is offering 15 months of support (instead of the standard 12) and giving a free upgrade to the next version of Crossover when it is released.

DarkWolf

01-02-2007, 03:37 PM

[QUOTE=Sgt Beavis]Yea, VMware is working on this on Workstation 6.0. VMware Fusion beta is built off the Workstation 6 platform, but they haven't offered 3D support yet. Since Parallels is going to offer it, I'm thinking VMware will too.

However, I believe the best option for running PC games on a mac will be crossover office. Several games are already supported for the Linux version and should run fine on the Mac when it is finally released.

BTW, you can pre purchase Crossover for $39.99 ($59.99 when it is released) Codeweavers is offering 15 months of support (instead of the standard 12) and giving a free upgrade to the next version of Crossover when it is released.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, no doubt VMWare would be working on it as well. And true, Crossover would be the better way to run, as it's essentially running as a native app, instead of going through a VM.

But, one thing I really like about Parallels, and I'm guessing Fusion will do the same... you can configure how much ram you'd like to give the VM, and also dedicate 1 or more cores to the VM (if using the Mac Pro). Since most games don't yet utilize multi-core chips, for now they should run close to native speed in a VM (once 3d acceleration is a reality, of course). And also, of course, you get them in their native OS, so games that don't work on Crossover should work in the VM.

Sgt Beavis

01-03-2007, 03:27 PM

[QUOTE=DarkWolf]Yeah, no doubt VMWare would be working on it as well. And true, Crossover would be the better way to run, as it's essentially running as a native app, instead of going through a VM.

But, one thing I really like about Parallels, and I'm guessing Fusion will do the same... you can configure how much ram you'd like to give the VM, and also dedicate 1 or more cores to the VM (if using the Mac Pro). Since most games don't yet utilize multi-core chips, for now they should run close to native speed in a VM (once 3d acceleration is a reality, of course). And also, of course, you get them in their native OS, so games that don't work on Crossover should work in the VM.[/QUOTE]

Yes, Fusion has those same abilities.

davidaustin

01-04-2007, 04:31 PM

i have both.

Use the PC for the basic email/office stuff and Mac for music production.

Hollywood

01-04-2007, 04:35 PM

PC.
I know most of my distaste for Mac's comes from lack of experience with them, but every job i've been at has had Mac's, and they do break. The lack of software is enough to keep me away.

evil jose

01-04-2007, 04:45 PM

[QUOTE=Hollywood]PC.
I know most of my distaste for Mac's comes from lack of experience with them, but every job i've been at has had Mac's, and they do break. The lack of software is enough to keep me away.[/QUOTE]

Define "break".

I Stang U

01-04-2007, 08:07 PM

Sgt Beavis

01-04-2007, 10:51 PM

[QUOTE=Hollywood]PC.
lack of experience with them[/QUOTE]

I don't think a definition is needed ;)

ck5.0

01-05-2007, 09:39 AM

There is "less" software for the mac than a pc. But you need to look at your individual needs to determine if the software you are using is available. Chances are that the mac has everything that you need. And there is more antivirus, antispyware and utility software for windows machines, well, because they need it.

Mac OS X all the way baby.

I Stang U

01-05-2007, 03:53 PM

[QUOTE=ck5.0]There is "less" software for the mac than a pc. But you need to look at your individual needs to determine if the software you are using is available. Chances are that the mac has everything that you need. And there is more antivirus, antispyware and utility software for windows machines, well, because they need it.

Mac OS X all the way baby.[/QUOTE]

correct there are a ton of poorly writen software by any hack on the street for windows.. the more you dig into the mac software its what you need in most cases and it done VERY well. In the mac community if a "shareware" or demoware is released... and gets back remarks... it will never fly period.. Windows if they can hack it they will use it... or at least install it :D

My plan for the weekend is getting a vpn connection and running microsofts RDP client to connect to the office and see how that works... /prays

DarkWolf

01-06-2007, 01:40 PM

Exactly. Less software doesn't mean less ability... just means less shit out there to wade through before you find the good software you want to keep using.

wickedbehaviors

01-06-2007, 03:29 PM

i have an older iMAC G3 and i like it. i have panther on it, upgraded hard drive and upgraded ram.runs good and right next to it i have my HP PC and i like my mac much better

franks

01-06-2007, 04:43 PM

Hollywood

01-07-2007, 01:47 PM

[QUOTE=evil jose]Define "break".[/QUOTE]

Software, hardware. We've had both types of issues with the Mac's here and at the last job.

[QUOTE=I Stang U]define lack of software.[/QUOTE]

It's no big secret that software companies don't always make a MAC version for everything out there. If you one software that is industry specific, depending on the industry, you will not necessarily find it for Mac. Same for games.