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Thread: Should i switch?

  1. #1
    MacDaddy! darrensen's Avatar
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    Should i switch?

    Dear all,

    I'm thinking of making the big switch to OS X. I'm also a keen gamer so i'll need a fairly high spec machine. I really dont think the iMac can cut it.

    So i'm researching hard into the G5 Powermac's replacement (MacPro). I know the CPU will have enough juice to power what i require. I heard today that it will have 2 CPU's making it Quad core like the old G5's. What i have not heard anything about is the GPU. I'm hoping for a minimum of X1900XT or XT-X of some kind.

    The main games i play are Counter Strike, Football manager 2006 (which can be played on OSX) and Flight Sim. The new Flight Sim X requires a very powerful GPU and if you want to play with full rates then you'll need a direct x 10 card. I'm not too bothered about playing on full rates but it would be nice to have a high end card.

    Other things i use my pc for are, E-Mail, General net usage, MSN Messenger (with video) and Skype with Video. Now also what i hear MSN is being dropped for the Mac. But iChat is great, but most of my contacts are on MSN and i need an app that will communicate with MSN messenger with Video. I'll have boot camp on my mac so i could boot that to run MSN but then i'll have to buy 2 web cams. iSight for mac (will import from USA) and a windows based cam.

    I've been speaking with someone who knows the "in's n out's" to macs and here is a quote.

    "My guess based on rumours is that mac os 10.5 will likely have virtualization technology advanced enough to not require windows in order to use windows apps on your mac."

    If this was to happen then i wouldnt need boot camp to run MSN messenger and Skype. He said he wouldnt suggest running games or CPU intensive apps, as it would run like a sack of sh**.

    So, i'm waiting until august to see what Jobs says about 10.5 and the MacPro. If this virtualization technology is embedded into 10.5 then i'll hop on the apple band wagon, but if not then maybe i should upgrade the PC and wait for Vista.

    Though call......what do you think?

    (sorry about long thread)


    Darren

  2. #2
    Mac's Just Work BroadbandPlacey's Avatar
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    just a quick note,

    you wont need two webcams, just a generic one will work on osx

    msn with video isnt possible on a mac to the best of my knowledge

    not sure about skype either, video wasnt on the mac version a few month back

  3. #3
    Missing in Action CocoPops's Avatar
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    I've literally just had a webcam conversation...

    Skype to Skype for Voicecoms and aMSN on the mac to send the video to msn on windows.

    Bit of a frig, but it works

  4. #4
    MacDaddy! darrensen's Avatar
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    Someone just told me there is a skype beta for mac that has video......I'm going to look into that.

  5. #5
    Missing in Action CocoPops's Avatar
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    Noooooo

    It's not safe.......

    There is a beta yes, but don't run it.

    http://www.macuser.com/updates/video...out_in_the.php
    http://share.skype.com/sites/mac/200...deo_comin.html

    So, yes it IS coming, but advised not to run the beta.

  6. #6
    Civilian Nick F's Avatar
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    I switched to a mac mini from a nice gaming rig at the start of the year. I have not looked back really as it does everything I could ever need from a computer. When it comes to playing games Mac's are the best things in the world. It doesn't bother me that much because I use my Xbox 360 for all my gaming needs.

  7. #7
    Va Va Voom Lowe's Avatar
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    Mercury supports MSN and video without any problems.

  8. #8
    Senior Member charleski's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by darrensen
    I've been speaking with someone who knows the "in's n out's" to macs and here is a quote.

    "My guess based on rumours is that mac os 10.5 will likely have virtualization technology advanced enough to not require windows in order to use windows apps on your mac."
    Huh???
    Not possible. A windows app needs to have windows OS components in place before it can even launch. There is no way you can run a windows app on anything other than windows, something which is obvious given a bit of thought, but you'll always find an 'expert' who not bothered to make sure he knows what he's talking about.

    The new virtualisation technology is actually a function of the chips. Both Intel and AMD processors have these new features that allow virtual machines to run with fewer context switches than were previously necessary. Virtual machines are big news in server environments and increasingly used on workstations.

    I'm not sure why you're getting worried about DirectX10 - that's for Windows only. If you're going to be using Windows most of the time for games, why switch to a Mac? You can run OSX on PCs anyway if you just want to play around with it (don't ask for a link, it's not legal and if you can't find the info for yourself on google you're probably best leaving it alone as it's not straightforward).

  9. #9
    Missing in Action CocoPops's Avatar
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    I think you'll find it IS possible charleski

    http://darwine.opendarwin.org/

    Limited support currently, but expect more

  10. #10
    Senior Member charleski's Avatar
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    Yeah, WINE is a nice idea, but...

    To give an idea of the realities of WINE, take a look at this page. That's linked off an ad on the WINE FAQ page. Hmm, you mean there's a company whose sole focus is to help people PORT their Windows apps to WINE? I think we all know what that implies. Still, I have to agree that the WINE developers have done a sterling job of faking the Windows API.

  11. #11
    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by charleski
    . If you're going to be using Windows most of the time for games, why switch to a Mac? You can run OSX on PCs anyway if you just want to play around with it (don't ask for a link, it's not legal and if you can't find the info for yourself on google you're probably best leaving it alone as it's not straightforward).
    Why not switch is a better question? Boot camp runs fairly nicely at the moment, and can only get better when apple finally fix the driver issues with the sound, and iSight. You can play games on it just like a normal windows machine, except you have the superior mac looks for the hardware, and the option to legally and effectivly run OSX.

    yes you *can* run OSX on your PC, BUT it's incredibly buggy in comparison (last time I looked at it people were running Dev versions still, as theres no boxed 10.4.5 available yet). Plus if apple continues their current trend the new powerMacs will most likely be cheaper than their windows equivalents - just like with macbooks

  12. #12
    Senior Member charleski's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spud1
    if apple continues their current trend the new powerMacs will most likely be cheaper than their windows equivalents - just like with macbooks
    I agree that a lot depends on what the Conroe and Kentsfield Macs look like when they appear, unfortunately I heard enough bad things about the MBPs (including a thread on this forum, I see) to put me off.

    As far as Boot Camp goes, I think it should be noted that Apple stress that's it's just a beta, and in fact their latest ads are recommending the use of Parallels instead.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spud1
    Plus if apple continues their current trend the new powerMacs will most likely be cheaper than their windows equivalents - just like with macbooks
    MacBooks are cheaper than Windows notebooks? Where? Because every comparison I've done has shown Windows notebooks to be cheaper, especially at the lower end of the performance scale. That was the thing that put me off getting a Mac notebook in the first place.

  14. #14
    Moderator chuckskull's Avatar
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    If you're a gamer at heart stick stick to windows, if you can handle the added gripes of getting games to play on mac. Then go for it.

    Everything i've heard about bootcamp and gaming has been lukewarm at best so far.

  15. #15
    Theoretical Element Spud1's Avatar
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    Will do a quick comparison for you

    Apple Macbook, basic spec: £749
    Code:
    CPU:1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
    RAM:512meg DDR2
    Screen:13.3-inch widescreen display
    Hard Drive: 60GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
    Optical: Combo drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW)
    GFX: Intel GMA 950
    Networking: 802.11a/b/g, 10/100/1000 ethernet
    Video camera: Built in
    Bluetooth: Built in
    Remote: Included
    Similarly configured Dell notebook: £860.43
    Code:
    CPU:1.73GHz Intel Core Duo
    RAM:512meg DDR2
    Screen:14.4-inch widescreen display
    Hard Drive: 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
    Optical: Combo drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW, 8X DVD+/-RW)
    GFX: Intel GMA 950
    Networking: 802.11a/b/g, 10/100 ethernet
    Video camera: Extra (included in price)
    Bluetooth: Extra (included in price)
    Remote: Extra (included in price)
    I think that shows the important specs.

    So for a dell with a slightly bigger screen (about the same when you get to actual viewing area), a dvd write (that you will never use on the move) a slower CPU, no gigabit ethernet, no OSX you pay an extra £110

    I've set the warranties the same, and removed any dell special offers - and have done the same for apple (so no edu discount or promotion included).

    Granted if you include teh current dell offers you get 1gig of ram and an extra 70 quid off- but this only brings it down to teh same price as the macbook (if you upgrade the macbook to 1gig) and your buying a dell, not an apple.

    Of course it all comes down to local pricing in the end - you may well find a sony or asus laptop similarly specced to a macbook for a lower price, but not by much, and even if you are you don't get the integrated webcam, front row remote, apple stylings, magsafe, OSX (and windows with bootcamp) etc etc.

  16. #16
    chown -R me ./base BlackDwarf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chuckskull
    Everything i've heard about bootcamp and gaming has been lukewarm at best so far.
    Erm... I've now got a 2Ghz 20" iMac as my main rig... Running OSX and XP no probs... running every game I want to play no problem.....
    Diablo (Main PC): Corsair Air 540; Gigabyte Z77-D3H; i5 3570k @ 4.4Ghz; 16Gb Corsair Vengeance PC3-12000; 120Gb Samsung 840 EVO; EVGA 980 Ti Hybrid; 2x Dell U2414H; Windows 10 x64.
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