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General discussion

Installing Window's on a MAC or OSX on a PC

Apr 2, 2008 12:11PM PDT

Can you install a windows OS on a Mac or OSX on Windows? I know you can run emulation software to run windows in OSX, but I don't understand what makes Mac's so different from PC's that you couldn't just install windows directly and boot from it? Does the Mac contain an apple exclusive hardware/software part that only allows apple OS's to be installed? Thanks for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Some info
Apr 2, 2008 2:13PM PDT

No, you cannot run OS X on a PC.
Leopard, OS 10.5, contains a program called Boot Camp, which allows you to create a partition and install Windows.

Technically, Macs with Intel processors are very similar to their PC counterparts now, but Apple hardware are the only machines licensed to run OS X, where regular PCs are not.

If you want to run Windows on a Mac, Boot Camp, or an emulator, will work just fine. That way you can run both systems side-by-side. You could turn a Mac into a Windows-only machine, but that defeats the whole purpose of having it.

Hope this helps.

-BMF

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Technically,
Apr 2, 2008 9:47PM PDT

those programs that run Windows on a Mac, Parallels & VMFusion for example, are not emulators.

Virtual PC from Connectix, and later MS, was an emulator, as was SoftPC. They emulated a Pentium II running at a very slow speed. It had to emulate because the Mac, at that time, used a PPC processor on which Windows would not run.
VPC basically used a software processor that behaved like a PII.

WIth the move to Intel processors, there is no longer any need to emulate and what you run now when you use those programs to run Windows on a Mac, is a Virtual Machine. Virtual Machines are common in an Enterprise environment where it is possible to have one physical server with one or more virtual servers running on it. It is also an inexpensive way to continue to support legacy servers like NT, without having to purchase a whole new server just to run it.

P

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True
Apr 2, 2008 10:47PM PDT

That's what I meant Wink. I still think Apple should offer some PPC Macs alongside the Intel ones for more choice, but they wouldn't do that. Who needs, or wants, Windows on a PC? Happy It's a good idea actually.

-BMF

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MacOSX on PC = very bad idea. Here's why.
Apr 2, 2008 11:01PM PDT

People might get the idea they would have the same level of support they got with Apple hardware and MacOSX.

Part of the big problem with the Windows PC is the out of control drivers issue. Look around and with Windows you often find you or the owner hunting for drivers after the OS install.

It's been asked "Would people pay" for drivers and the answer is no. So the only viable solution is to stick to a controlled set of hardware.
Bob

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Clarification
Apr 3, 2008 1:59AM PDT

I for one would love to be able to use Leopard on a PC. If Mac's were in the same price range and customization level as current PC's, I think they'd appeal to more mainstream people like me.

Just for clarification, the reason why the newer mac's that run on intel processors can't run windows without using a virtual machine or emulator is because of some a restriction/code in the bios or something?

I'm still having trouble understanding why if Mac and PC's now use the same hardware why they can't run each other's OS's as simply as it is to run something like Linux.

Thanks for all the replies, it was interesting reading about the various emulation software's and how they work Happy

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If you cost it out...
Apr 3, 2008 2:12AM PDT

The Apples are are good deal. You save bucks on antivirus, your time lost scanning for spyware and more. You get to use the machine.

Did you really compare the Macbook at 1099 to other laptops? I did. I also feel the OS makes it worth paying for.

I'm confused by your statement about running on the mac with vm, etc. This is showing you need to brush up on what Boot Camp is.

About Linux. If that works for you, then why would you consider Apple?
Bob

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I'll try to be less confusing
Apr 3, 2008 3:57AM PDT

"Did you really compare the Macbook at 1099 to other laptops? I did. I also feel the OS makes it worth paying for."

I haven't compared the prices of a Macbook, as I was more interested in getting a desktop PC or iMac for now. When my bank account gets deeper I'll indulge in a beautiful Macbook/Macbook Pro Happy

I can get this:

Intel

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That 829 didn't have an OS listed.
Apr 3, 2008 4:01AM PDT

So toss in the retail XP or vista and it's dead even. And you'd have a "box" on your desk or floor. To compare a desktop with the iMac is rough going. How to compare?

As to Boot Camp, that's no emulation. It's running native at that point.
Bob

PS. For many they'll take the dollar savings and live with the issues. Some are getting a little tired of that.

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Even with the OS it's still a bit cheaper
Apr 3, 2008 4:46AM PDT

If I were to buy it with Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit, and upgrade the HDD to 320GB to reflect with the closet iMac 2.4GHZ processor config, it'll cost me $1,116.00 including shipping. This configuration can be found here http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=72 I just changed the HDD to 320GB, added a $199 monitor and Vista Ulimate 64bit.

Theclosest iMac I configured was this:

Specifications

* 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 320GB Serial ATA Drive
* SuperDrive 8x (DVD

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For me that's no savings.
Apr 3, 2008 4:51AM PDT

iMac = no box, no constant scanning for malware, I just use it.

The supplied apps pummel what Microsoft supplies. Are these worth anything to you?

Bob

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Thanks
Apr 3, 2008 5:07AM PDT

Honestly I only use my PC to browse the web and watch videos. I don't play online games (except poker every now and then), so the apps that come with it won't really mean much to me. I mainly wanted and iMac because it looked so good lol, and the Leopard demo they had on their website looked really cool. I guess I'll check out the iMac because it does everything I do now, and maybe I'll start using the apps it comes with. Thanks for your input Happy