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General discussion

Macbook vs PC Laptop, + some other Mac questions

Mar 20, 2007 1:53PM PDT

I'll just start by saying my computer (HP desktop, ~6 years old) is broken yet again (it's on its third hard drive, aside from numerous other issues it's been fixed for) so currently it's with the Geek Squad (perhaps not the best place for it to be fixed, but it's under warranty so whatever) and I am awaiting the news on whether it's fixable or not. So in the meantime, I've been researching computers as I might have to buy a new one at this point.
I first thought about a Dell desktop because they're cheap, and we can get a discount on them through my work. Upon looking into them I realized Dell does sell cheap computers, but in order to make it work for me, it needs some upgrades, minor ones, but ones that reduce the cheapness factor. Which brings me to my next issue, I don't want Vista, especially since I'd be required to have at least 1GB (likely more) RAM in order to run the OS alone. All of a sudden I thought of a Mac, which I'd never considered before, but my brother got a Macbook this summer and he loves it and has been convincing me to take the plunge from PC to Mac.
I'm pretty close to doing so, but I need a few things clarified first.
1- You can run XP on a Mac, I know, but how easy is it to install? Will the Apple store possibly help me with it if I brought it in to them? And Boot Camp is free, but what is this Parallels thing I've heard about?
2- Can I run the Sims 2 (PC version) on Boot Camp? That's pretty much the only reason I'd need XP anymore anyway so I want to make sure I can play the game properly.
3- I plan on going with the $1099 MacBook, upgrading to an 80GB drive (from the base 60 gb) and to 1GB ram from 512 mb. IDK how big my hard drive is now, but even with all of my photos and music and programs it wasn't full. Is the upgrade to 80 necessary, would 60 suffice? I understand this is really a subjective question because it will depend on how big all the files I have are.
4- Is this issue with the Macbooks shutting down randomly (it had to do with something inside of it heating up and mafunctioning, I read) been solved? And what about the discoloration of the white Macbooks, I'd read people could send them back to get replaced but have they fixed that issue?

Any other advice/tips/reasons I should go with one or the other would be helpful, thank you!

Discussion is locked

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Taking a crack at it
Mar 24, 2007 3:48PM PDT

Soo, lemme try to answer...

1: XP is easy to install, just go the Apple Mac OSX website, and there's a link on the Leopard Sneak Peek section about 1/2 down the page. It's free b/c it's in beta right now and will come as part of Leopard (next OS). Boot Camp runs XP NATIVELY, meaning that it will run at full speed, but you need to restart. Parallels is VIRTUALIZATION, which is totally different that Boot Camp. It allows you to run XP ON TOP of Mac OSX, simultaneously. However, since it is virtualization, it will run slower. Both solutions have some issues where some hardware will not function under XP.

2: I don't know, b/c i've never played Sims 2. If the System Requirements say it will run under Intel Graphics (integrated graphics), then it should work under both Parallels and Boot Camp.

3: 80 GB are probably necessary because the iApps, OSX, and the Megabytes=1000KB/1024KB thing will eat up about 7 GB of space. Really, if you need more space later on, you can always get an external hard drive.

4: The random shutdowns were fixed long ago. Sometime around last fall, i believe. I have heard of a few cases recently, but I those were usually from refurbished, un-updated models. I don't know if the discoloration still shows up on the White Macbooks, but my friends Macbook doesn't have any staining. I think it was mostly due to the heat produced by the CoreDuo processors, and it has been fixed with the upgrade to Core2Duo.


I hope this helps, if you need more clarification, just ask again

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Sims 2
Mar 24, 2007 10:27PM PDT

Sims 2 is available for Mac OS X and it will run natuvely under Mac. So you dont need to install XP for Sims 2. Other amazing games like World of Warcraft and Prey are also available for the Mac.

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Random shutdowns
Mar 28, 2007 8:10AM PDT
http://www.macbookrandomshutdown.com/
Go to that site and find out for yourself.
It is a logic board problem that precedes the Intel Macs.
The problem is still occurring on the more recent C2D units.
The problem sometimes shows up after updates to OS10.4.9.
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Go For IT!
Mar 25, 2007 12:09AM PDT

Ok, i hope i can help you, cuz i just bought a MacBook myself and am REALLy happy. Just before i start, can i just recommend getting 1gb RAM, as it will really prove useful especially when Leopard realeased. Also, although at time of writing there arent any available, try and buy refurbished one, works out MUCH cheaper ($200..) and is like no difference.

- XP is very simple to install via bootcamp, follow partition instructions.. - VERY easy - i've done it and painless. I Must however disagree with "Paragon 7", as under XP via bootcamp, i have had NO problems - just instead of like F4 for volume, use "fn F4"... Parallel, does unfortunately have some hardware issues so... BootCamp is FAR wiser, faster better...
- As others said, it will work perfectly, but..... thats obviously as long as the integrated (kinda sucks) will allow decent frame rate..
- For OS X and docs here and there, its perfect, however if you're music fan.... 80gb or even 120gb ( i paid $100 for 120gb) is perfect. As i said before, i really recommend 1gig RAM especially considering Leopard is on its way and itl prob demand more power so...
- I dont think the issues still exist with Core2Duo, however i advise you to check online etc.

+ Just thought you'd like to know, office for Mac is slightly different interface, but easy to get used to, if you want you can download NeoOffice - free - similar interface to Office '03, major software like Photoshop... are usually also avlbl. for Mac, if not, then i suppose the XP partition will come into use at one point....
+ To bring up the dual-boot option when botting up Laptop, just hold down the "option" key and youll get the option for Windows/OS X.

I am extremely happy with my mac and is so enjoyable to use it w/out anti-virus installed....
Hope this helps..

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oh,
Mar 25, 2007 3:44PM PDT

when I said there were hardware problems, i meant that the iSight camera doesn't work (at least for me)

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uhoh
Mar 26, 2007 1:48AM PDT

eh, for me, i just go under "my computer", select the isight - kabam!! works..... Also 4 messenger...
You tried troubleshooting??

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yep
Mar 27, 2007 2:00PM PDT

yes

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Don't forget the Superdrive
Mar 26, 2007 6:51AM PDT

When you get a chance to play with the Mac's built-in audio and video editng software, you will definitely want to start editing video and make DVDs. Make sure you get a Mac with a Superdrive, not a Combo Drive. For $100, don't cheat yourself out of the pleasure of burning DVDs.