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Some noob questions about Mac

gadgetgirl85

gadgetgirl85

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 24, 2006
3,805
370
Ok so I have a lot of windows apps for map (Ie office etc) If I bought a mac mini how would I get PC programs running on the mac and would this be an expensive excersise? I also heard theres an app to transfer your PC stuff to MAC? just want to know before I go splurging. The only things I really want are office and to transfer pictures and music...cheers
 
viccles said:
is boot camp expensive?
Click to expand...
boot camp is a free download from apple.com

all you need to do is buy a Intel Mac and then you can install your copy of windows on it

apple.com/bootcamp
 
Bootcamp is free but you need a copy of Windows.
What are you planning on doing? There might be apps in iLife (or open source) that would cover most of what you want to do.
 
Ok theres only one thing I really need Windows for (and I dont have a copy except of probably 98 GRR) just theres this game called netgammon and its only for PC its a program you have to download
 
Bootcamp will only work with XP Service Pack 2 I believe, so you would have a choice of getting XP or getting Parallels (about $80, I think) which will let you run any OS without having to reboot.
Unfortunately it will cost a few quid either way.
 
For one program? Bah. Would it run web based games? So if I bought parallel my netgammon would work? what a shame they dont have a mac version.

Edit: I also have a PC and another screen so would there be anyway I could link both computers up?
 
Sorry for the double post. But what if I bought virtual PC would that work?
 
viccles said:
Edit: I also have a PC and another screen so would there be anyway I could link both computers up?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use Microsoft's Remote Desktop on the Mac to connect to your PC (assuming it's running XP Pro) or VNC. Or if you just want to use your PC with the same mouse and keyboard as your Mac, you can always use Synergy or a KVM switch.

Virtual PC doesn't run on Intel Macs. The equivalent for Intel Macs is Parallels Desktop, which is not only cheaper than VPC, it's also WAY faster (as fast as a regular PC essentially). VPC would probably work OK assuming NetGammon is just a Backgammon game? Like I said though, Virtual PC only works on PowerPC Macs and it is slow.
 
I can buy Parallels desktop at a mac shop? Yes netgammon is just a downloadable backgammon game you play with others on the net. So my choice is either download bootcamp buy windows XP or buy Parallels desktop is that right?
 
That's basically your choice
To get Parallels you download it from their site. There's a 15 day trial so you can sheck it out if you want.
 
viccles said:
I can buy Parallels desktop at a mac shop? Yes netgammon is just a downloadable backgammon game you play with others on the net. So my choice is either download bootcamp buy windows XP or buy Parallels desktop is that right?
Click to expand...

You would be taking up a hell of a lot of hard drive space, and probably a bit of frustration and cost, plus the evilness of putting Windows on a Mac, just to play backgammon.
 
Bootcamp is free, or Parallels is $80, but both require you to have a copy of Windows (XP SP2 for Bootcamp, not sure about Parallels).

And off topic, but Parallels + WinXP Pro is NOT cheaper than VPC for Mac (a moot point I know, since there is no Intel version of VPC). A quick check showed Parallels ($80) plus WinXP Pro ($200) versus VPC 7/WinXP Pro ($226).
 
danny_w said:
And off topic, but Parallels + WinXP Pro is NOT cheaper than VPC for Mac (a moot point I know, since there is no Intel version of VPC). A quick check showed Parallels ($80) plus WinXP Pro ($200) versus VPC 7/WinXP Pro ($226).
Click to expand...

True, but with Parallels you can run any version of Windows all the way back to Windows 95. Windows 2000 can be had pretty cheaply, and I'm sure it will be just fine for running a backgammon game. However, All in all I think all of this is not worth it for a Backgammon game.

It's probably worth mentioning that the Mac mini (and the iMac and Macbook) includes a backgammon game that features network play. The posters in this thread have done a good job explaining your options for running Windows on your Mac. It's very much possible, and not even particularly hard. There are disadvantages though, and in my opinion it's not even close to worth it if your only reason for needing Windows is to play an online Backgammon game.
 
Ordered my mini! Can't wait for it to arrive. Well its technically mums but I'm sure I'll have some fun on it :p Is it hard to set up wireless?
 
Sorry I'll run out of questions soon. I've got wireless running through the house is it hard to set up on the mac mini? Its not to different to a PC set up is it? Someone answered this for me before but would it be difficult to link my PC and mac mini and use them together is it difficult andd/or expensive?

Ok think I'm all questioned out. Mega excited about mini
 
viccles said:
Ordered my mini! Can't wait for it to arrive. Well its technically mums but I'm sure I'll have some fun on it :p Is it hard to set up wireless?
Click to expand...

It couldn't be simpler. It just asks you which network you want to connect to, and then you enter your WEP password and you're set.
 
My advice is that you should use bootcamp. Virtual PC can be slow and VNC is even slower. For one game Parallels isn't worth it. As for the network, It's the most simple thing in the world. It's out of the box easy!!!
 
Think thats going to be the best alternative download bootcamp and buy windows xp home edition
 
But then I see windows xp is mega expensive. Would home edition work as well? not sure how much a student edition of that would cost. I have a copy of windows ME floating around so if I got parallel and put ME on it it would work? Is installing windows difficult? its a lot of work for actually 2 games :p but worth it

Edit: Ok I'd rather get Windows XP (but can it be home rather than pro) i read that you go into bootcamp and there an option to install windows is that right?

Transferring PC to Mac isnt as easy as expected!
 
adk said:
It couldn't be simpler. It just asks you which network you want to connect to, and then you enter your WEP password and you're set.
Click to expand...


Unlss it says your password is invalid like it did to me. I could not get wireless to work with encryption on, had to turn that off. (Netgear router)
 
viccles said:
Edit: Ok I'd rather get Windows XP (but can it be home rather than pro) i read that you go into bootcamp and there an option to install windows is that right?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use Windows XP Home Edition but it must be a Full version (not an upgrade) with Service Pack 2. If you check out online stores you should be able to find what's called an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) version which is much cheaper, although technically you are only supposed to buy it if you are building your own PC (if the company won't allow you to buy without buying hardware, treat yourself to a new mouse or something with the money you are saving).

Installing Windows is easy enough if you follow the instructions provided with the Boot Camp software. Just book around 30-40 minutes for the job and expect to have to answer questions along the way, such as which language you wish to use and the like. Not difficult but just takes a while.
 
viccles said:
But then I see windows xp is mega expensive. Would home edition work as well? not sure how much a student edition of that would cost. I have a copy of windows ME floating around so if I got parallel and put ME on it it would work? Is installing windows difficult? its a lot of work for actually 2 games :p but worth it

Edit: Ok I'd rather get Windows XP (but can it be home rather than pro) i read that you go into bootcamp and there an option to install windows is that right?

Transferring PC to Mac isnt as easy as expected!
Click to expand...

I suggest that you wait until you get your Mac mini. If backgammon is the only reason you need Windows, I think you'll find that you don't in fact need Windows. Check out the backgammon game that's included on the mini. It supports online play, and it's pretty slick. If after you've tried that for a while, and you still can't live without Netgammon, look at installing Windows, either via Boot Camp or Parallels.
 
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