I run windows on my macs, i use Vista Business edition, but it does not run well under Parallels due to its high memory demands so if your going with vista then run it under boot camp. OEM versions are supposed to be sold with new computers and therefore are a bit cheaper. If you really want to run Windows then get XP Pro, much more compatible with everything and runs excellent in both parallels and Boot Camp. I have been running Vista for about 6 months and to say it is disappointing would be the understatement of the year.
Windows OS for MAC
I am looking to buy a version of Windows to try out with my iMac using either Boot Camp or Parallels but am a little confused by the many and varied versions out there. 32 bit, 64 bit home basic, premium etc
I would appreciate some help in selecting a suitable version of Vista if anyone has the time and interest.
Here's my issue: my vendor of choice (Atic) only offers OEM versions of Vista if I read his site correctly. Home premium OEM costs $130 from them while a non OEM version costs $300 from Amazon.What's the diff? (I bought an HD from Atic a few months ago so does that factor into things?)
I should add that I am not a gamer, who will have high demands on the OS (at least not now - might try out Pro Tools audio editing at some later point in time). I just have a few programs that aren't and never will be written for a Mac.
Recommendations anyone? (Who knew selecting an OS could be so difficult?)
BTW...My system is a single processor, dual core, 2GHz, 1MB RAM. Oh, and if anyone if interested, Atic's web page for the OEM OS prices is:
http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=Products&cat=28
I would appreciate some help in selecting a suitable version of Vista if anyone has the time and interest.
Here's my issue: my vendor of choice (Atic) only offers OEM versions of Vista if I read his site correctly. Home premium OEM costs $130 from them while a non OEM version costs $300 from Amazon.What's the diff? (I bought an HD from Atic a few months ago so does that factor into things?)
I should add that I am not a gamer, who will have high demands on the OS (at least not now - might try out Pro Tools audio editing at some later point in time). I just have a few programs that aren't and never will be written for a Mac.
Recommendations anyone? (Who knew selecting an OS could be so difficult?)
BTW...My system is a single processor, dual core, 2GHz, 1MB RAM. Oh, and if anyone if interested, Atic's web page for the OEM OS prices is:
http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=Products&cat=28
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Good point. My concern about XP was it getting stale in a fairly short amount of time and other software programs slowly phasing it out in terms of writing compatible programs.
Does anyone else vote XP? If so, any suggestions on a good way/place to buy a copy at a reasonable price?
(It always gets my goat how much MS software costs when you consider how leaky and unreliable that software so often is. It seems to be the North American business model. Rush the product to market, regardless of flaws and defects, and then let those problems be dealt with on an ad hoc basis afterwards by a completely separate service and repair industry.
It's like patching a colander one hole at a time with plasticine.
Does anyone else vote XP? If so, any suggestions on a good way/place to buy a copy at a reasonable price?
(It always gets my goat how much MS software costs when you consider how leaky and unreliable that software so often is. It seems to be the North American business model. Rush the product to market, regardless of flaws and defects, and then let those problems be dealt with on an ad hoc basis afterwards by a completely separate service and repair industry.
It's like patching a colander one hole at a time with plasticine.
I think XP will be viable for a long time. If you get a minute here's a thread on my XP and Bootcamp adventure.Good point. My concern about XP was it getting stale in a fairly short amount of time and other software programs slowly phasing it out in terms of writing compatible programs.
Does anyone else vote XP? If so, any suggestions on a good way/place to buy a copy at a reasonable price?.
Ram
Something I just recently learned is that Windows running in Parallels is only able to utilize 1GB of RAM while VM Ware's Fusion takes advantage of 2GB or more RAM.
I work in a creative environment, and several artists have tried Vista on their machines and they all went back to Windows XP as Vista is just a pig and killed the performance of the computers.
Something I just recently learned is that Windows running in Parallels is only able to utilize 1GB of RAM while VM Ware's Fusion takes advantage of 2GB or more RAM.
I work in a creative environment, and several artists have tried Vista on their machines and they all went back to Windows XP as Vista is just a pig and killed the performance of the computers.
I run Windows XP Pro via Parallels on my MBP. Picked a copy up at Tiger Direct for about $149. Parallels 3 is another $99.
Thanks Gwillikers...had a look through the other thread. I see OEM XP software will be pulled by Microsoft in January.
Then it's Vista for everyone.I wonder what entry level buyers will do?
Then it's Vista for everyone.I wonder what entry level buyers will do?
I'm using Boot Camp and rEFIt to dual-boot my Mac. There's no need to use virtualization if you can run the OS natively -- unless you don't like dual-booting.
Windows 2003 Server performs well and is the best version of M-Windows that you can use from among the current possibilities. Next best is M-Windows XP, although the networking has been crippled in Service Pack 2.
Apple's Boot Camp driver support works fully for M-WXP. With M-W2K3 Server, the only driver that I have not been able to install is for Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is not important to you, use M-W2K3.
Windows 2003 Server performs well and is the best version of M-Windows that you can use from among the current possibilities. Next best is M-Windows XP, although the networking has been crippled in Service Pack 2.
Apple's Boot Camp driver support works fully for M-WXP. With M-W2K3 Server, the only driver that I have not been able to install is for Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is not important to you, use M-W2K3.
XP would get my vote, if you're still taking votes. Admittedly, I haven't used Vista to any great extent, I am just not a fan of using any new Windows OS. The advantage of XP is that it has some years under it's belt and actually runs pretty well for me. You may also want to check eBay, just be sure the version you are looking at is full and registerable and legit.
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