Info On Dual Computer That Is Mac And Windows?

[maipleur]

I am wanting to buy a system that is capable of running Mac and Windows.

The machine would be used for editing mainly, so I would like to run final cut pro and maybe even premier or vegas.

Any info on the right system and the right prices would be much appreciated.

I am only just looking and this is the best price so far..

iMac 24 inch Core 2 Duo

2.4GHz Intel

1GB RAM

320GB Hard Drive

ATI Radeon HD 2600Pro (256MB)

8x DoubleDisk SuperDrive

Price: 72,990 included VAT

[ajarnmark]

I think any advanced Intel/AMD based PC should be capable to run Mac OS X.

I didnt try yet, but one of my friend is using triple boot, XP, Linux and Mac OS X.

I will try as soon as I will have enough time.

[nidge]

I think any advanced Intel/AMD based PC should be capable to run Mac OS X.

I didnt try yet, but one of my friend is using triple boot, XP, Linux and Mac OS X.

I will try as soon as I will have enough time.

not so sure of this, a mac can run windows but i don't think a non mac can run OS X.

I am happy to be corrected

[cdnvic]

You have two realistic options, both involve buying a Mac;

Install a program called Bootcamp that allows you to dual boot and choose either Windows or osX when booting.

or

Install Windows in a virtual machine, running it in a window on the osX desktop, allowing you to use both at the same time. One of the better programs to do this with is Parallels. In this case you'll want to add some extra memory to assign to the virtual machine.

http://www.parallels.com/

[nidge]

You have two realistic options, both involve buying a Mac;

Install a program called Bootcamp that allows you to dual boot and choose either Windows or osX when booting.

or

Install Windows in a virtual machine, running it in a window on the osX desktop, allowing you to use both at the same time. One of the better programs to do this with is Parallels. In this case you'll want to add some extra memory to assign to the virtual machine.

http://www.parallels.com/

Actually a 3rd option and i wished i was more patient and used this one before shelling out the dosh on parallels.

Buy the mac and use it for a couple of weeks. You will soon find you don't need to run windows for anything.

I have parallels but i have not run it for months now.

[Guest Reimar]

Thdere is although an other opti0n: Mac OS/X x86! If you google for this you'll find some Website which explains the required Hardware and how to install this special OS version. Mac OS/X x86 is special make for Developers.

You will need special Hardware with Intel Chip sets and for each OS, OS/X and Windows a seperate Harddisk! The latest Version is OS/X x86 10.4.8

Edited October 11, 2007 by Reimar

[cdnvic]

Thdere is although an other opti0n: Mac OS/X x86! If you google for this you'll find some Website which explains the required Hardware and how to install this special OS version. Mac OS/X x86 is special make for Developers.

You will need special Hardware with Intel Chip sets and for each OS, OS/X and Windows a seperate Harddisk! The latest Version is OS/X x86 10.4.8

Not a realistic option though. I know extreme techies who have done this and even they say that keeping it stable is a pain. This is more a hobbyist project than a viable alternative for the average user.

[sjaak327]

Actually, on some computers it runs like a dream. On my Optiplex GX270 at work it runs mighty fine. The problem with this approach is that it IS illegal, as it's not OSX, it's a hacked OSX where they disabled the TPM check. Thus enabling it to be installed on Non Mac hardware.

I agree this is techy stuff not viable for the average user. Also many computers are not supported, for instance my main home computer has a raid controlller which is not recognised by Mac OSX, so no chance of running it native. It does run inside VMware, but only up to 10.4.3, later versions are very slow when run inside VMWare.

[hughden]

I have a 24" iMac running Mac OS (obviously!) and XP under Parrallels. Only need XP for one program but it runs fine when I need it.

If you want to save some cash, look out for the previous version of the iMac. I did not like the new design, particularly the glossy screen which is not ideal for photo processing; and picked up an "old" white iMac for just over 60k. There are still some around. Slightly slower (2.16) but still runs everything I need very happily (right now I have Dreamweaver CS3, Firefox, Lightroom and Photoshop CS3, Indesign CS3 and a word processor all open and there is no slow-down. But I did upgrade the memory to 3GB which helps I think).

The iMac is a gorgeous machine.

[maipleur]

Thanks very much for your responses.

I am not at all a techy and most of this has flown way over my head, I think I will opt for hughden's idea.

I actually had this in my list, but thought the newest would be the better option?

This is the specs I received and the price.

iMac 24 inch Core 2 Duo

2.16GHz Intel

1GB RAM

250GB Hard Drive

NVIDIA Geforce 7300

Double-layer SuperDrive

Price: 61,000 included VAT (Only last 3 Machine left)

What did it cost you to upgrade to 3GB of RAM hughden?

edit: do you think the specs are ok? I am wanting to edit and produce large video and music files.

thanks again all.

Edited October 11, 2007 by maipleur

[hughden]

That is the model I bought, I paid 63,900.

I mainly use mine for photo processing with Lightroom and Photoshop and it is way faster than the PC I used to use (with the same CPU). From the forums, I think it should run Final Cut and similar editing software without a problem, although I have not tried it myself.

I like the look of the previous model and find the non-reflective screen great to work on with photos, the reflections and saturation of the new model is not as good I think. But it will give you a little more speed for some extra cash; your choice.

I bought the memory in Singapore. Check around for prices at different Apple stockists cos they seem to vary considerably. I you want 3GB you need to buy a 2GB stick and a 1GB stick, you can't do anything with the 2x512 sticks that come in the machine. Changing out the memory is very easy, just open a little panel at the bottom of the unit.

PM me if you want to know more.

Good luck!

[mark lamai]

you should check carefully against the type of video you will do.

DV or HDV.

Regular DV is a cakewalk, no problems with a machine like that and older versions of final cut or premiere 6.

HDV requires a lot more power , storage and memory, and graphics card.

final cut 6 needs an intel mac to work well.

3 or 4 gig of ram.

you also need a fast external/secondary drive, firewire 800 or eSata, 500 Gig at least.

premiere pro CS3, is said to have a lot of bugs (mac and win versions).

check the video card, some nVidia wont work with the latest final cut, ATI radeons are recommended.

apple have this type of info on their site.

i have been on a very steep learning curve for months now,

there are heaps of unexpected tech problems,

and it gets very expensive very quickly if you want quality.

specing up a macpro 2.1 G from standard to video upped the price from AUD$3800 to AUD$6000 !!

but its great fun and i hope you will all love my farangs in thailand doco when finished...

send money now!!.......

[tjo o tjim]

Sounds like a good purchase. VMWare and Parallels are nice when you have to run an occasional Windows application, but not foolproof. I had a very specialized need the other day that illustrated the shortcomings (computer to machine link via ethernet cable while trying to establish a dhcp service... not something that I run across often at all, but with specialized hardware it can be hard sometimes).

If you go Bootcamp, you will never use it. Sad reality-- it's just too much work.

The OSX86 approach is just way too much work. Nice concept, but... stick with the Apple hardware and make your life easy.

[cathyy]

Yeah, my niece and nephew built a hackintosh instead of just buying an iMac. They spent more than an iMac cost on getting the best possible compatible components and ended up with a system that they were never able to use. It simply never worked right. They are excellent technical people, and failed.

Buy a Mac, with the most ram you can afford, and the best video card you can get in it.

[maipleur]

Thanks for all info. I will make the purchase on Wednesday this week. Looking forward to learning the Mac as I have never used one before.

many hours of fun and frustration coming.

[nidge]

Thanks for all info. I will make the purchase on Wednesday this week. Looking forward to learning the Mac as I have never used one before.

many hours of fun and frustration coming.

If you get stuck learning the system i recommend buying "Mac OS X Tiger" written by Andy Ihnatko (maybe dodgy spelling). It's easy to follow and within 3 days there was nothing i could not do on the mac that i was previously doing on my windows laptop.

I hope you enjoy the mac as much as i do mine.

[Mahout Angrit]

Thanks for all info. I will make the purchase on Wednesday this week. Looking forward to learning the Mac as I have never used one before.

many hours of fun and frustration coming.

If you intend to increase the memory size of your purchase and if you do actually like the new aluminium imac (and I do) you should notice that it comes with a 1gb memory stick and a spare slot so you would only need to add a 2Gb stick to make it up to 3GB instead of buying all new memory and throwing away the 2 x 512Mb.

As the older white imacs were more expensive (when current) than the new models only you will be able to tell if you get a good deal by buying an 'obsolete' machine. Certainly the performance is very similar but maybe you consider resale value.

Whatever , you wont be disappointed with either one. Enjoy it.

[maipleur]

What would be your choice and any added specs ?

iMac 24 inch Core 2 Duo

2.4GHz Intel

1GB RAM

320GB Hard Drive

ATI Radeon HD 2600Pro (256MB)

8x DoubleDisk SuperDrive

Price: 72,990 included VAT

---------------------------------------

iMac 24 inch Core 2 Duo

2.16GHz Intel

1GB RAM

250GB Hard Drive

NVIDIA Geforce 7300

Double-layer SuperDrive

Price: 61,000 included VAT (Only last 3 Machine left)

----------------------------------------------

And to throw a spanner in the works..

Would using a windows machine and using premiere, be just as good and far cheaper?

cheers

[Mahout Angrit]

What would be your choice and any added specs ?

I chose the new one and added a 2GB stick because I prefer the look to the white one. I dont have an issue with the glossy screen (or the new style keyboard) as I use it only for home use no intensive photo work. I didn't buy in Thailand though but the same sort of discounts are available in most countries.

I did research a number of forums before purchase and some say that the screen in the white 24" imac is technically better. I also understand the graphics card can be changed/upgraded in the white one but not in the alumimium one.

It comes down to personal choice, a hard one!

//EDIT: to add extra comment

Edited October 14, 2007 by Mahout Angrit

[nidge]

And to throw a spanner in the works..

Would using a windows machine and using premiere, be just as good and far cheaper?

Why did you have to go and spoil it. You get a group of mac users offering their opinions and then you ask us if a windows computer would be better!

I bet you are the sort that goes to a vegetarian dinner party and then asks if anyone fancies a burger,

Edited October 14, 2007 by nidge

[Mahout Angrit]

Would using a windows machine and using premiere, be just as good and far cheaper?

Now assuming that was talk from a bar stool!!!! when you make your imac decision you should be aware that Apple are rumoured to be releasing the latest version of OSX (the long awaited OS10.5 Leopard) on 26th October. That should come included with the aluminium imac after that date but wont come with the white one unless you upgrade at your cost.

[cdnvic]

Don't count on Leopard to be available immediately in Thailand. Give it about three months after the US release.

As for using Windows instead, it's up to you. The pros use Macs for this, but it works reasonably well on Windows. Certainly more than well enough for the casual user. My recommendation is still to get the Mac and install Windows in Parallels. Get the best of both worlds. However if price is the big issue just keep in mind that you don't need a Mac to do this.

[hughden]

Agree with Nidge. I bought the Andy Ihnayko book when I bought our first Mac (a Macbook for my wife). I sat with the book (which is easy and fun to read) and the Macbook and in a few hours I was up to speed. Enjoyed the Mac experience so much in fact that I refused to hand over the Mac to my wife and had to buy her another one!

Enjoy your purchase.

[DaffyDuck]

Don't believe the wannabes that suggest running a hacked version of OS X on x86 PCs - it's a complete dead-end solution. Yes, you can buy a DVD of a hacked installation that will install on an x86 PC - but:

- you need to make sure that you use supported hardware, especially video. OS X will run in a greatly reduced fashion on non-supported hardware, and Apple doesn't make any drivers for those. Otherwise, you take you chances with drivers from various hackers, without any assurance how well they work, or if they are updated.

- you will be locked out of Apple's regular cycle of system updates and security updates.

- Good luck with future OS X updates, especially with Leopard around the corner, hoping they run on the home-brewn Piece of Fine Computing hardware.

Right now, if you want a machine that runs both Mac and Windows, reliably, your only option is a Mac, regardless of what the various wannabes say.

Things to consider:

- Make sure you get a Core 2 Duo

- Configure it with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, 4GB if you can. 3 GB will be slower, as the memory is not paired.

- Get a fast hard drive.

- If looking at the new iMac (aluminium), go for the 24" model, as it has better video options (though wait for Apple to fix the Boot Camp issue with the video, which they will).

As another poster in this thread pointed out - after a couple of weeks, you will notice that you don't actually need the Windows side as much as you thought :-)

Harry

[Mahout Angrit]

- Configure it with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, 4GB if you can. 3 GB will be slower, as the memory is not paired.

I understand from Macupgrades site that the Intel imacs dont need to have matched pairs.

The Intel iMac uses DDR2-PC2-5300 SODIMM RAM, it has 2 slots. The original Core Duo model could take maximum of 2GB, the later Core 2 Duo model could take up to 3GB using 1 x 1GB module and 1 x 2GB. The Aluminium and Glass iMacs can take up to 4GB in 2 x 2GB modules.

There is no need to install RAM in matched pairs in this machine.

Memory is very much a user installable part on the Intel iMac.

- If looking at the new iMac (aluminium), go for the 24" model, as it has better video options

There is a 20inch model of the aluminium imac available(maybe not in Thailand) with the same video/graphics card as the 24inch models but the OP wants a 24inch anyway.

[nikster]

- Configure it with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, 4GB if you can. 3 GB will be slower, as the memory is not paired.

I understand from Macupgrades site that the Intel imacs dont need to have matched pairs.

There's two kinds of techie responses to that. The first one is that matched pairs are "faster". The second one is that yes, matched pairs are faster, but by such a miniscule amount that it absolutely doesn't matter. It's hard to even measure the speed difference in a lab setting and it's safe to say you will never, ever see a speed difference with your bare eye.

I believe barefeats.com has some matched pair vs unmatched pair speed tests if you want to see for yourself.