Posted on 04/05/2006 7:02:22 AM PDT by ladyshealth
More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download a public beta today.
As elegant as it gets Boot Camp lets you install Windows XP without moving your Mac data, though you will need to bring your own copy to the table, as Apple Computer does not sell or support Microsoft Windows.(1) Boot Camp will burn a CD of all the required drivers for Windows so you don't have to scrounge around the Internet looking for them.
Optional alt. At startup, hold down the option key (alt) to choose between Mac OS X and Windows. Run XP natively Once youve completed Boot Camp, simply hold down the option key at startup to choose between Mac OS X and Windows. (Thats the alt key for you longtime Windows users.) After starting up, your Mac runs Windows completely natively. Simply restart to come back to Mac.
What youll need Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6 (check Software Update) The latest Firmware update (check Support Downloads) 10GB free hard disk space An Intel-based Mac A blank recordable CD A printer for the instructions (Youll want to print them before installing Windows, really.) A bona fide installation disc for Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 2, Home or Professional (No multi-disc, upgrade or Media Center versions.) The Boot Camp course Boot Camp Public Beta provides a straightforward means of letting your Mac run Windows. Heres how it works:
Space maker. Meet the most elegant hard drive utility ever. First, you need to make sure your Intel-based Mac has the latest version of Mac OS X and the latest firmware update. These provide technologies that make Boot Camp possible. Its also wise to print out the Installation & Setup Guide. The Boot Camp burns a CD with the drivers Windows needs to recognize Mac-specific hardware. It is very important to do this before starting the Windows installation. The software also helps you set aside hard drive space for the Windows installation, without moving any of your Mac files around. Just drag the intuitive slider to choose the size thats right for you. Boot Camp also helps you remove the Windows partition, should you so desire. Next, insert your Windows installation disc, restart and follow the Windows installation process. The only tricky part is selecting the C: drive manually. Be sure to get this right, or you could erase your Mac files accidentally. Remember, Apple Computer does not sell or support Microsoft Windows. After the installation process is complete and your Mac has booted Windows, youll need the Macintosh Drivers CD you burned previously. When you insert the CD, it will automatically install the drivers. Follow the instructions in the Installation & Setup Guide for helpful hints. Dont forget to follow best practices for updating and protecting your Windows system (see Word to the wise to right). Youll need Windows XP Home Edition or Professional, Service Pack 2 installation disc.
9 times the price??? Huh?
Low end Mac - $799
Low end Dell - $400
So 2X the price in this specific case.
On the higher end machines, the price isn't anywhere near as different.
It's called hyperbole. Sheesh. Any one with two eyes knows MACS are WAAAAAY more expensive than pcs. They remain a boutique brand for computers. Their little mp3 player is doing well, though.
Office for Mac is not 100% cross platform compatible. It's just easier to do it in windows....
I regularly do work at home on my Mac (often using Office Mac 2004) and have never had a cross-compatability problem taking the files on my thumb drive or emailing them to work and opening and using on Windows machines and vice-versa. This includes PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
Easier in Windows???? Maybe for you.
Comparably equipped computers - A "premium" PowerMac/High end Dell.
Dell = $3284
PowerMac = 3299
Also note that the PowerMac has dual/dual core processors (quad processors, the Dell is only available with dual).
Yep - WAAAAAAAY more expensive that PCs....
So the largest difference is in the lowest end, which Apple has freely admitted they are not really interested in (I would wager the low-end Mac Mini could sell for a lot less than the $599 current retail, if they really cared about the low-end market).
And now, with Boot Camp, a person is basically getting a Windows and a Mac computer with one price....
ls> Well, if you have to do work at home, Windows is what you need.
Office for Mac is not 100% cross platform compatible. It's just easier to do it in windows....
TB> I regularly do work at home on my Mac (often using Office Mac 2004)
and have never had a cross-compatability problem taking the files on my thumb drive
or emailing them to work and opening and using on Windows machines and vice-versa. This includes PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
Easier in Windows???? Maybe for you.
23 posted on 04/05/2006 10:59:33 AM MDT by TheBattman
Word 2004 is certainly more user-friendly to use for templates than the most current MS Word for pcs. I regularly import and export complex Excel spreadsheets and Powerpoint slides and very complicated Word documents. I have yet to have a problem. I also use Office 2004 and find it to be a superior product to office for MS.
Who the hell needs dual core processors? You can keep hyperventilating all you want. Macs cost way more than PCs. Everyone knows it. It's why they're a boutique brand.
Who needs more than 640k of RAM?
Macs cost way more than PCs. Everyone knows it.
Everyone knows lots of stuff that isn't true. Intel Macs are reasonably priced compared to brand name Wintels.
Yup BF2 Rules! I've lost countless hours of sleep playing that game. I built a new computer with an expensive top line video card back in Dec and BF2 is the only game i've played on it. It's so addictive I can't get around to loading/playing any other game.
I've also assembled PowerPoint presentations (Office X and Office XP -- a bit dated) with embedded video which *DOES NOT* transfer well.
If you search the web you'll find guides for doing cross platform Office work. It's not 100% cross platform compatible.
Granted, this was with prior versions, but the more advanced you get the more problems you run into. Things may have improved with the newer versions of Office....
>>Who the hell needs dual core processors
Well, if you want to run Windows XP and OS X at the same time with no lag, it's no sweat with dual cores... (Not sure if this is possible with the boot camp release, but a possibility with virtualization or some othere solution.)
Having dual cores means that neither system will suck 100% of the processor's cycles nor slow down the other processor much.
And for games, dual cores rock. The new Xbox 360 has a triple core processor, and the Sony LateStation 3 (pun intended) has rumoured 4-8 cores in its processor.
Check your MS pc Word settings for export !
They are not designed to do what you think you want to do !
You just bolstered MY arguement... so if I step down to a Mac with only a single dual-core processor (sorry, don't make a pro-machine with a simple single processor), I can save a lot more money. so in that case, I now have a high-end mac that competes in performance to a higest-end Dell... for LESS money. So thank you for helping me with my arguement. And I won't mention my iBook that I am typing this reply on - with added RAM cost me $1079. It runs rings around my step-father's nice Windows-based laptop (don't recall the brand but is a "Major player") that he paid nearly $1600 for just a couple of months prior to my purchase. So, yeah...Macs are way more expensive....
So does this mean heterosexuals can now safely use a Mac?
Office Mac 2004 has a compatibility checker that constantly checks for problems that might not work out in a cross-platform environment. Little red tool box that pulsates reminds you to click to solve any possible compatibility issues.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Do yourself a big favor...walk into a CompUSA or Apple store and just take a iMac G5 with Tiger X for a test drive (with Garage Band). Then come back and convince us we should driving Yugos....excuse me...Dells.
By the way your prices are about $700 too high for the iMac plus most of the software you'll ever really need is already included.
To put it another way: You, too, can drop a Chevy engine into your Lamborghini just to see what she'll do!
It's too much for a PC that can only run Windows, but a bargain for a machine that can run OS X.
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