Running XP exclusively on MB??? Anyone? Thoughts?

[mlrproducts]

Hey all,

My mother needs a new laptop for her realty biz. She says "even the tech guy says you can't use a mac" (to that I say FU, I'll use parallels and coherence or whatever its called).

But, she needs a computer like tomorrow, and from looking at worstbuy's site it seems most of the halfway decent computers I'd let her buy are about $1k anyways, so what are your thoughts on just getting the lowed MB and running XP exclusively on it???

 

[After G]

I'd say go for it. The Windows problems you would face with any laptop anyway. Might as well get hardware that tends to last longer.

 

[mlrproducts]

I'd say go for it. The Windows problems you would face with any laptop anyway. Might as well get hardware that tends to last longer.

That is kinda what I figured. My biggest question I guess, are the drivers reliable enough?

I can't have them flaking out. I was looking at the Dell Vostro laptops which would be the only other option, however for a similar laptop it'd only be $250 less (give or take), however IMO the hardware of the current MBs has been proven, the Vostro line hasn't even been out a month, and i think dell laptops are POS's anyways.

EDIT: DOh!!! Forgot to ask, what is the right-click situation in Windows on a MB??? What about the gestures you can use in OS X, do any of them work in XP?

 

[TheBigS]

While im a huge mac lover, if your getting a laptop only for Windoze, it may be wise to buy a well build PC model. I think you may find that you can get more video ram and hard drive space for what it would cost you to get a macbook. (Though it wont look half as cool ) Just my 2 cents though, I dont actually own an intel mac. Good luck!

 

[Sbrocket]

I wouldn't recommend it. Even if you want to use XP all the time and will never use OSX (which I don't recommend either, OSX is worth getting used to) I would leave a very small OSX partition on the computer. The reasoning behind this is because without this small OSX partition, you will be unable to get any Boot Camp driver updates, hardware firmware updates, and the like. Just make it really small, enough to fit the OS plus about 3 gigs. You can reinstall OSX from the installation CDs included with the computer and get rid of all the pre-installed clutter too, included Garageband loops (lots of space freed up here), printer drivers, and language packs.

 

[mlrproducts]

I wouldn't recommend it. Even if you want to use XP all the time and will never use OSX (which I don't recommend either, OSX is worth getting used to) I would leave a very small OSX partition on the computer. The reasoning behind this is because without this small OSX partition, you will be unable to get any Boot Camp driver updates, hardware firmware updates, and the like. Just make it really small, enough to fit the OS plus about 3 gigs. You can reinstall OSX from the installation CDs included with the computer and get rid of all the pre-installed clutter too, included Garageband loops (lots of space freed up here), printer drivers, and language packs.

I should have specified, I would install bootcamp and partition it probably around half/half in terms of disk space. I'd like to get her using OS X eventually, the issues just being windows software for realtors.

Using the coherence function, can you set a windows program to run on the startup of os x (or having it running all the time, or when you wake from sleep)? She has this auto-update program that updates a key thing over usb. I'm thinking I'll put her 100% on windows at first, then get the parallels stuff working then try to get her over.

 

[AutumnSkyline]

yeah, get her the Macbook, let her experience OS X for about an hour and see if she really needs to just run XP, instead of OS X. I learned very very quickly. The first hour is spent adjusting. By the end of the first day, I had a pretty good feel for it (I could navigate fairly well). At the end of the first week, I was mastering installing programs and by the end of the first month, all was well with my iMac.

But then again, I'm a very techy person, and I don't feel intimidated by any technology so I just plowed right in. You just have to remember to not handle things the Windoze way <-- Best advice I ever got. You have to... think different.

Letting her explore would be the greatest thing, she wont break OS X just by exploring spotlight, the apple menu, the finder, things like that whereas I am still a little iffy about messing with a few things on my PC.

Everything is pretty straight forward.

Oh, and the best trick to show anyone --> Highlight a word and hold down +ctrl+d. Let go of d, mouse over a couple words, and enjoy! <--

 

[M@lew]

I reckon if she's that contempt with only using Windows just go get her a cheaper Windows laptop, as it'll be easier to use Windows on.

e.g. Ctrl key would be bigger, Cmd smaller, wouldn't have to pay extra when Leopard comes out to keep using Boot Camp.

 

[TBi]

wouldn't have to pay extra when Leopard comes out to keep using Boot Camp.

Boot camp is just a set of drivers... i don't think apple will be able to make them "Leopard" specific.

No need to worry ever about paying for it i'm sure. All apple is saying is that it will be officially supported under Leopard.

 

[masreipan]

Parallels is the best option, IMHO

I reckon if she's that contempt with only using Windows just go get her a cheaper Windows laptop, as it'll be easier to use Windows on.

Not so, start her out with parallels running with coherence enabled, let her make the switch into OS X at her on pace, shouldn't take to long

Be sure to show her basics for OS X, Two-fingers, Dashboard, Spotlight (cmd+space) and so on. The simplicity of OS X will amaze her.