Windows on a Mac

When you upgrade to Leopard, it has software that will allow you to run windows with Bootcamp.

 

I'd recommend vmware fusion. You can run Windows within MacOS. I use it for some non-Mac friendly software as well as MS Office.

 

I would think that should run Leopard just fine. However, if you're going to run Parallels, or the like, and run both OSes at the same time, you might add some more ram. I've got my macbook (2.4 ghz, core 2 duo, 2 gig ram OS X 10.5.4) running just fine though - both OSes at the same time.

 

If you were/are just going to dual boot and only run one at a time, I wouldn't think you'd have any problems.

 

Whoa! - Guys! - All bets are off right there!......

Bootcamp, VMWare and Parallels *only* work with an Intel based Mac.

FWIW (assuming you have an Intel Mac of course):

1. Bootcamp "works" - The Mac *is* a peesee when booted from BC - The best option if you want to play games. The downside is that rebooting between the two gets really old, really fast

2. Parallels is my current choice - Coherence mode and the "graphics driver" are a PITA.

3. Haven't tried Vmware - Would love to hear any reviews.

Cheers,
Ian

 

I only hear it from the VMWare side (remember, I'm that pesky PC guy), and have only played with it a little bit, but Fusion performs a little better than Parallels - less impact on the host (Mac).

 

You have 4 Power PC Mac's? - A regular "server farm" with the right S/W.......

I was intrigued enough about your Windows only S/W ("Zbrush 3") that I went and found 'em - From their site:

However, for version 3 it does say:

So, it appears it will run natively on the "latest" H/W, but for Power PC"s you're back a release..... Which makes sense IMHO.

cheers,
Ian

 

My apologies - I read the "specs" page, and as noted they "claim" a Mac OSX version, albeit only on Intel Macs. Further "poking" indeed confirmed that the OSX version was "coming soon".... I wonder how "soon" as it looks pretty heavy on system resources (2GB ram recommended for example!) and both Parallels & VMWare do need some resources to do their thing - I suspect it may be really slow. [Incidentally, their forums have 80 odd pages of "ZBrush3 on the Mac" posts - The great unwashed are not happy!]

I think I'd be inclined to try Bootcamp on an Intel Mac and load it up there. As I said, booting between the two gets really old, really fast but hopefully there'll be a native OSX version really soon and you won't have to deal with virtualization S/W.

As for your "old" PPC machines, I have one set up as a "media server" (think Apple TV on steroids) - Runs great. I have another with a "guest" account that anyone who visits can use (and not screw up!

Good luck,
Cheers,
Ian

 

Thanks for that - Even it does come from a "pesky PC guy"

I don't play games, and both Parallels & VMWare claim long lists of compatible games. However, where I've struggled with Parallels is it's "video driver". It seems to break more than it fixes. Any comments on VMWare's graphics system? Do you know if it supports DirectX-latest (10?) etc?

Cheers,
Ian

 

I wish I could be of help, as I haven't loaded anything Windows related onto my macbook pro yet. But, don't you find it funny this section has a common theme?

 

S-w-e-e-t!

Firstly, you need a "real" Windows XP or Vista disk and keycode - "Weird" upgrades that got you to XP on a regular PC *will* **** things up. In general, XP (either Home or Pro) is considered the best way to go (Who needs Vista and that pain?).

Assuming you have the requisite XP disk (and key) I would start with installing it under Bootcamp - Follow the intstructions - It needs a burnable CD to generate a PC "driver" collection that will be installed as part of the XP install. When it's done you'll have a machine that'll boot either XP or Mac OSX. Apply all applicable patches. Life is good.....

As stated, once booted (via BC) into XP, you *are* running a PC, and therefore need to take appropriate precautions..... I've found AVG (free) firewall/virus checker/etc from grisoft does what I need.....Which is very little.....

Once you've got that mess going, and have applied all the patches that M$, AVG and anything else installed want, you can install ZBrush 3. Get it setup the way you want [It looks *very* configurable] and make sure it's "stable" - 3gig sounds good, but give it a good "test drive".

By this stage you'll want your Mac back

I can't recommend either Parallels or Fusion, and last I checked, neither could the great unwashed - "You pays your money, and takes your choice." Both of 'em allow you to "migrate" your (known working) XP partition to run as a virtual machine. Again, follow the instructions and it's not hard. Bring up the VM, start ZBrush and report back.... [I'm particularly interested in "your" app's relative performance under BC or whichever VM you choose. Thanks!]

Cheers,Good luck,
Ian

 

Last I checked (~month back?) XP was on the shelf at Frys....

Note that an "upgrade" disk will not work.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Very limited alternatives to run Intel applications on a PowerPC platform. I'm only familiar with Bochs - but it is slow because every Intel CPU instruction has to be mapped to one or more (probably more) PowerPC instructions. Not worth the trouble.

 

how do you run both at the same time?

 

Glad you're having fun! Did you install it via Bootcamp and then migrate to Fusion, or go straight to Fusion?

How's ZBrush running?

Cheers,
Ian