Sharing computing power between 2 computers?

[Loa]

Hello,

I know cloud computing is just around the corner, but for the time being: is there anyway for my wife's aging Macbook to use my Mac Pro's computing power?

Thanks

Loa

 

[maflynn]

Nope, the operating system is not designed for distributed computer.

 

[DJenkins]

Hello,

I know cloud computing is just around the corner, but for the time being: is there anyway for my wife's aging Macbook to use my Mac Pro's computing power?

Thanks

Loa

Not in general usage, however there are some graphics software packages designed with multiple machine network rendering in mind.

 

[Cubemmal]

Or for distributed compiles in Xcode (maybe it doesn't have that feature anymore though, I haven't checked in a while)

The best way to use it is by the Mountain Lion multiple login feature. Just have her use her slow computer as a login terminal. Of course with network lag that may not be much of an improvement.

 

[goMac]

Or for distributed compiles in Xcode (maybe it doesn't have that feature anymore though, I haven't checked in a while

Nope, that feature is gone.

 

[Loa]

Thanks for the replies.

Loa

 

[Tesselator]

Hello,

I know cloud computing is just around the corner, but for the time being: is there anyway for my wife's aging Macbook to use my Mac Pro's computing power?

Thanks

Loa

Yes, there are MANY ways to achieve this!

• There are application specific methods through interprocess control (REXX, REBOL, and AppleScript are examples).
• There are terminal-like control interfaces (Desktop Sharing is but one of them).
• There are parallel networked control managers (RenderPal come to mind here a being a good example)

And there are several other ways as well. Some of them are complex to setup and some are extremely simple. So much depends on what it is you want to accomplish.

 

[bernuli]

x-plane will use multiple computers across ethernet to drive multiple displays.


B

 

[chris.k]

x-plane will use multiple computers across ethernet to drive multiple displays.
B

True. However that's still two copies of the executable running (on two seperate systems). I think the OP was alluding to a single executable that could automatically (through OS hooks) fork additional processes onto another system and be managed by OSX itself.

The QNX OS had this design BTW. There's also something called "Xgrid" made by Apple that did something similar, but required the user to setup the grid manually and write software specifically for Xgrid using a proprietary (?) batching language.

Ps in Mavericks, I believe that the distributed Xcode compliation feature has returned... Or perhaps I've read this wrong.

 

[CausticPuppy]

Hello,

I know cloud computing is just around the corner, but for the time being: is there anyway for my wife's aging Macbook to use my Mac Pro's computing power?

Thanks

Loa

Sure. OSX screen sharing. Turn the Macbook into a dumb terminal and let the Mac Pro do all the work.

 

[deconstruct60]

Nope, that feature is gone.

Back in the old days, folks could write their own make files. LOL.

It appears to be in part a new LLVM infrastructure limitation/regression.

" ... In general, scan-build should support parallel builds, but not distributed builds. ..."
http://clang-analyzer.llvm.org/scan-build.html

 

[Loa]

Hello,

The only thing my wife's macbook struggles with is Parallels. (Other forms of emulation/dual boot are not options for our situation.)

Loa

 

[Demigod Mac]

How much memory does it have? Even older Macs shouldn't have a problem with virtual machines provided they have sufficient RAM. Also, upgrading the hard drive to a solid state drive can do wonders for older computers.

 

[OS6-OSX]

Hello,
The only thing my wife's macbook struggles with is Parallels. (Other forms of emulation/dual boot are not options for our situation.)
Loa

I have a MBP 1.1 the 1st Macs with Intel. Running XP and 10.6.8 via bootcamp
If you replace the HD with an SSD, http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook is a site for installation
If you install the SSD this would be the best time to use bootcamp and partition the drive for dual purposes. Between "native" use of PC apps and the SSD the MB will seem better than new!

 

[Loa]

Hello,

Ram is maxed out, yet Parallels still runs slowly.

Using bootcamp, as I said, is not an option. Upgrading to a SSD would probably make a difference, but not worth the price for that single app...

Loa

 

[Dr. Stealth]

Hello,

Ram is maxed out, yet Parallels still runs slowly.

Using bootcamp, as I said, is not an option. Upgrading to a SSD would probably make a difference, but not worth the price for that single app...

Loa

I remember XP running much better (faster) than Win 7 when used within parallels. Just an idea....

 

[Loa]

Hello,

Good idea! I'll give it a try when I have the chance!

Loa

 

[ActionableMango]

Yes, you could run Windows on the Mac Pro natively or through Parallels and use screen sharing between the laptop and the Mac Pro.

 

[Loa]

Thanks for the idea ActionableMango, but that would mean that all the windows apps/files would be on my Mac, not her laptop. If that was an acceptable solution, she simply work on my Pro!

Loa