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1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - sscutchen - 03-24-2006
This is an article:
What follows is a description of my experience, both good and bad, with the entire process from start to finish. This isn’t meant to be an installation guide, but I will talk about installing the patch, discuss what it takes to get XP working, the risks involved in a project such as this, and finally, how well the finished product works.
http://www.macworld.com/2006/03/firstlooks/xpmini/index.php
Final remarks
So after too many hours of installing, testing, reinstalling, testing, reinstalling, testing, and so forth, how do I feel about using XP on a mini? Here are some of my take-aways, summarized in a few bullet points.
Pros
* Super fast, fully native Windows XP running on your own Mac.
* Most hardware and nearly all software works (for better or worse) as it does in Windows.
* One hardware box can do the job of two.
* Choose which OS to run with a simple keypress during startup.
* Perhaps the quietest and most elegant Windows XP box you’ll ever use.
Cons
* Must reboot to use Windows XP, so no easy sharing of data between the two systems.
* Installation and configuration is not for the faint of heart.
* While XP is quite stable, installing some drivers may have severe consequences.
* As expensive as a new PC if you have to buy all the required hardware and software first.
* Missing video drivers limit usefulness for games, high-end graphics applications.
Assuming resolution of the remaining issues, I think the ability to run Windows XP at full speed on an “as needed” basis could be a huge selling feature for Apple. Anyone will be able to specify a Mac instead of a PC to Purchasing, and there will no longer be any legitimate technical reasons to say “no.” Once the machine is in the building, it could then be used in OS X most of the time, only rebooting into XP when needed.
With that said, I don't think that installing and using Windows XP on an Intel Mac is at a point today where I could recommend it to anyone other than a hardcore dedicated techie type. If everything goes perfectly, yes, almost anyone could get XP installed on an Intel Mac. But when something goes wrong, which it invariably will given the complexity of this project, you’re going to want some technical know-how to at least recover from the disaster, if nothing else. You also have to have a bit of a cavalier attitude about your system, knowing it could be rendered unusable at some point by some seemingly innocent action, like installing a new driver.
Once the project matures a bit, and solves the remaining technical hurdles, I would then not hesitate to recommend this solution to those who need Windows XP access but prefer to keep using the Mac as their primary machine. I don’t know, however, how much simpler the installation can get. If the XP installer can eventually recognize the installed hardware and install the requisite drivers during setup, that will make this modification accessible to many more users. Otherwise, it will remain on the fringes of computing, accessible only to those with a strong technical bent (or those who have such relatives), and perhaps those supported by a corporate IT department.
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - Seacrest - 03-24-2006
Dual-booting is not that appealing to me.
I mean, what good is having a Mac if you're just going to soil it with Windows?
Native speed virtualization -- now that would rock.
That, and/or the ability to seamlessly run certain Windows binaries within OS X.
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - Panopticon - 03-24-2006
just a thought....
How long does it take for that XP install to get infected??
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - Tofer - 03-24-2006
I'm with Seacrest on this one. While I think the idea is cool, I would so much prefer Virtual PC running at 90% normal speed, in an OS X window. That, to me, is when things will be hunky-dory.
-Tofer
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - sam ward - 03-24-2006
Congrats, scutchen. Will this be limited by the Mac OS, or the Mac hardware? That is, can it be done on OSX.2.x or on a Quicksilver or only on the latest for both?
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - sscutchen - 03-24-2006
All I did was post the link... It has to be installed on an Intel Mac
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - jdc - 03-24-2006
im with tofer -- if VPC could run at 90% of my macs speed that would be plenty for me -- and i suspect many others
if i want a machine for gaming, then i'm gonna buy a peecee for gaming
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - Seacrest - 03-24-2006
jdc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> if i want a machine for gaming, then i'm gonna buy
> a peecee for gaming
Nevermind the 'cee', just take a 'pee.'
http://www.yankodesign.com/product_info.php?products_id=866
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - Racer X - 03-24-2006
Seacrest Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dual-booting is not that appealing to me.
> I mean, what good is having a Mac if you're just
> going to soil it with Windows?
>
> Native speed virtualization -- now that would
> rock.
> That, and/or the ability to seamlessly run certain
> Windows binaries within OS X.
why did I take Spanish in high school, it I live in the US? When I go to Cabo, I have no problems. That is worth it to me.
Re: 1st Complete Review I've Seen: Macworld-Running Windows on a Mac - IronMac - 03-24-2006
I'm with jdc on this one...I'd love to be able to play the Total War series on a Mac but until the install process and overall experience is as good as on a PC then I will stick with a PC.