iMac: A Few Questions

[LillieDesigns]

After shopping around asking a lot of questions, I have a few more I need answered.

1. Do you think they will release a new iMac at the conference? If so, do you think the changes will be so spectacular that I'll regret buying mine now instead of later?

2. Does bootcamp come installed? Whatever the case may be, how do I install/run windows xp?

3. I have Photoshop CS2 for windows, is it possible to install it on the mac if I have windows installed? I'm getting mixed feedback on how it will run, suggestions?

4. I have a cable modem and router, its a Linksys, is it compatible with the Mac? I basically need it conected to the Mac, a PC, and send out the wireless signal for the laptop.

Thanks in advance, anything helps!

 

[reh]

1. Do you think they will release a new iMac at the conference?

I would guess not. This is a developers conference, so I wouldn't expect too much consumer-oriented releases. There's never any guarantees though.

2. Does bootcamp come installed?

No, bootcamp is still beta and in development. It's supposed to be included in Leopard, the next major version of Mac OS X. There's quite a few threads on bootcamp on these forums.

3. I have Photoshop CS2 for windows, is it possible to install it on the mac if I have windows installed?

Yes, I would think so. Although I don't have an Intel Mac or Photoshop CS2. You would need to either install Windows XP via Bootcamp or Parallels.

4. I have a cable modem and router, its a Linksys, is it compatible with the Mac? I basically need it conected to the Mac, a PC, and send out the wireless signal for the laptop.

If it's the industry standard 802.11b or 802.11g, it should work.

 

[LillieDesigns]

So if I were to buy the iMac right now what would be the quickest/most effeciant way to run windows xp on it?

 

[reh]

So if I were to buy the iMac right now what would be the quickest/most effeciant way to run windows xp on it?

It depends on your windows needs. Bootcamp allows you to reboot into Windows XP and use it just like it was installed on any regular ol' PC. Parallels allows you to run Windows programs in their own window in Mac OS X. Try searching for either "bootcamp" or "parallels" on these forums as it's been discussed at great length.

 

[LillieDesigns]

basically i need to run a windows version of photoshop cs2

thats all i really need from windows...i can surf the web and record music on my os x

 

[iMacFan78]

basically i need to run a windows version of photoshop cs2

thats all i really need from windows...i can surf the web and record music on my os x

Hmm... I think it depends on whether you want to reboot every time you want to switch the OS.

 

[LillieDesigns]

does it run best on bootcamp or parallels?

 

[iMacFan78]

does it run best on bootcamp or parallels?

If I recall correctly, Boot Camp has access to all of the system resources (RAM, CPU, graphics, ect.) becuase only one OS is running at a time. Parallels does not have access to all of the system resources becuase OS X and Windows are running at the same time. I believe it would run better under Boot Camp.

 

[Chundles]

You have two options:

1. Download Boot Camp from Apple - it is a small program that partitions the HDD, burns a disc of Windows drivers for the Mac and sets up a boot loader so that you can choose which OS you boot into. Once you run and use Boot Camp to install XP, you never run it again - your Mac is now a fully fledged PC. You will also need a full copy of XP with Service Pack 2 - if you don't have that you can't use Boot Camp without some serious mucking around.

2. Buy Parallels Desktop, you have the advantage of being able to use OSX and any other OS (including any flavour of Windows) but you can't do anything that uses 3D graphics acceleration and there are a few other limitations within the software.

If you have a full copy (not an upgrade copy) of XP with Service Pack 2 - it must include Service Pack 2, the cheapest way to run Windows is with Boot Camp. If you don't have that specific copy of Windows you're stuck with Parallels. With Boot Camp you must shut down and restart to change the OS you are using - not that big a deal if you ask me.

You should definitely be able to run a Windows copy of Photoshop within Windows on an iMac - so long as you are within the EULA from Adobe (you may have to uninstall it from your old machine of you only have one license).

 

[LillieDesigns]

Where can I download BootCamp? Where can I buy Windows XP with SP2?

 

[Chundles]

Where can I download BootCamp? Where can I buy Windows XP with SP2?

You download Boot Camp from Apple here -> Boot Camp Website

You can buy the full version of XP SP2 from any decent computer store. Just make sure it's not the Upgrade version - they say "Upgrade" on the outside of the box. Try and get XP Pro if they have it.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

does it run best on bootcamp or parallels?

It will probably run better in Boot Camp, but it should run fairly good using Parallels, too. I installed CS on Windows 2000 in Parallels and that ran better than expected (considering Parallels isn't dual CPU aware and only uses one).

Another option for you, which doesn't require Windows at all, is to contact Adobe and exchange your Windows version CS2 for a Mac one. Adobe will send you Mac versions if you sign an agreement to destroy your Windows disks. CS runs more than adequately through Rosetta, given you have enough RAM, contrary to what some people will claim...

 

[LillieDesigns]

is parallels supported by apple? because even though boot camp is BY apple it makes it seem like the free trial can end at any time and that if you screw up installing it youre up sh** creek without a paddle. and is leopord going to have the bootcamp feature built in? when is it due?

 

[Chundles]

is parallels supported by apple? because even though boot camp is BY apple it makes it seem like the free trial can end at any time and that if you screw up installing it youre up sh** creek without a paddle. and is leopord going to have the bootcamp feature built in? when is it due?

Parallels, as with all other 3rd party software is not supported by Apple but is supported by the company that makes the software.

Boot Camp is a public beta, it could end as a trial at any time but the thing is, once you run Boot Camp initially to set up Windows you never run it again. All it does is set up drivers, partition your HDD and install a boot loader, once these are done and Windows is installed you could delete Boot Camp all together and your machine would still work perfectly as a dual-boot XP/OSX machine. Yes, if you stuff up the install it's a bit of a bugger to fix but it is fixable and there are people here who have done it enough times to be able to help you.

Leopard (OSX 10.5) will have Boot Camp in it's final release form built into the OS, it's due in late 2006/early 2007. Currently we know there will be a big preview of it's features at the WWDC in early August. I believe - though others don't - that the shipping date will be announced at MWSF in January next year with shipping sometime in February or March. That's certainly not what might happen but it's what I think will happen.

 

[LillieDesigns]

I have the option to buy an intel iMac tomorrow. Should I go for it, or wait 2 weeks until the conference? I mean even if they show a bunch of Leopard features and release a new MBP the odds of a new iMac being revealed and it coming out before 2007 are slim or do you think they'd release it within the next month?

 

[kevin.rivers]

I have the option to buy an intel iMac tomorrow. Should I go for it, or wait 2 weeks until the conference? I mean even if they show a bunch of Leopard features and release a new MBP the odds of a new iMac being revealed and it coming out before 2007 are slim or do you think they'd release it within the next month?

Chances are the iMac will be getting a Core 2 Duo pretty soon. Either Merom or Conroe. Even if they don't release a new iMac at WWDC in a few weeks. They may give a roadmap on upgrading the current line.

2 weeks isn't a long time to wait. Give it til then, if you really can't conclude anything then I would maybe pull the trigger. However an update is imminent and I would predict by the Fall it would be here.