Just Some Questions before I move to Mac from Windows...

Hi

First of all, I'd just like to say sorry if this is the wrong section to post, but It's definitely the closest... as I'm inquiring about Mac OS X and it is an apple product


I just got a new laptop which came bundled with Vista... and after seeing Mac OS X Tiger in play - thought I might switch to Mac OS... I just have a few questions before I switch:

(Don't feel obliged to answer all hehe... just those you know right away. and all help is appreciated)


1. First of all, Can my Notebook PC (windows based) - install and cleanly run Mac OS X Tiger as an operating system?

2. Is MAC OS capable of running exe applications such as pacificpoker.exe?

3. If I have a wireless router which is holding two connections from Windows based systems - will I have any trouble connection my Mac laptop to the network?

4. Will a Microsoft Windows based mouse (connected to my laptop) have problems running on Mac OS?

5. Do I install the Mac OS operating system like a windows system? Just run the DVD/CD on boot?

6. Will intergrated features on my laptop (like webcam) run ok on Mac OS?

7. And lastly, would you recommend the switch? can you forsee any problems I may run into?


Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to help

Thank You and appreciate it
-Moutzokers

[Craig R. Arko]

Quote: Originally Posted by moutzokers Hi 1. First of all, Can my Notebook PC (windows based) - install and cleanly run Mac OS X Tiger as an operating system? 2. Is MAC OS capable of running exe applications such as pacificpoker.exe? 3. If I have a wireless router which is holding two connections from Windows based systems - will I have any trouble connection my Mac laptop to the network? 4. Will a Microsoft Windows based mouse (connected to my laptop) have problems running on Mac OS? 5. Do I install the Mac OS operating system like a windows system? Just run the DVD/CD on boot? 6. Will intergrated features on my laptop (like webcam) run ok on Mac OS? 7. And lastly, would you recommend the switch? can you forsee any problems I may run into? -Moutzokers

1) Nope. Mac OS X is only licensed for and will only install on Apple hardware. Apple has a technology called BootCamp that will also let you install and run Windows on Apple hardware, however.

2) Not without some form of Windows virtualization, no.

3) Probably not; it can sometimes depend on how the wireless access point implements its security protocol.

4) Most usb mice work fine in OS X running on Apple hardware. Some have additional (free) configuration software available from the vendor.

5) It will be preinstalled on the Mac you buy. But yes, that's how we do it too.

6) Integrated features on the Mac hardware function well in Mac OS X; most are supported under BootCamp in Windows as well.

7) Well, yeah! But you'll need to get Apple hardware to do it.

[nicholsps]

1. First of all, Can my Notebook PC (windows based) - install and cleanly run Mac OS X Tiger as an operating system? No not possible, but like the other user posted you can install Windows on a Mac but then you open your Mac up to the same security flaws that Windows has.

2. Is MAC OS capable of running exe applications such as pacificpoker.exe? Same answer other user posted...

3. If I have a wireless router which is holding two connections from Windows based systems - will I have any trouble connection my Mac laptop to the network? I have a mixed/hybrid setup at my house... 1 PC and 2 Apple Laptops.. NONE have a problem connecting... I even have no problem sharing files between all 3.... Even have a NAS and connect to it from all 3 and read/write from both OS's... You shouldn't have ANY problems there..

4. Will a Microsoft Windows based mouse (connected to my laptop) have problems running on Mac OS? Used one b4 with no issues but you do lose functionality of the right mouse button..... but i have heard of third party software that will allow u to use the right mouse button

5. Do I install the Mac OS operating system like a windows system? Just run the DVD/CD on boot? same reply as other poster here... it's simple

6. Will intergrated features on my laptop (like webcam) run ok on Mac OS? you won't have an issue here either b/c the new hardware on a Mac comes with a webcam built into it.. Unless you buy a tower (G5)... the iMac, MacBook and MacBook Pro all have them built in now... Won't need your Windows one.

7. And lastly, would you recommend the switch? can you forsee any problems I may run into? I have converted 3 people to Mac in the past year and 2 of them are glad i did... the other is my father and he loves the Mac but is still trying to get use to it... Hard to teach someone who is just getting familiar with a Win to all of a sudden try to use a Mac.. but he still loves it... I've sold people b/c i've asked them to really think about what they use on a Win that you will be scared about not havin on a Mac... Their answers: Word Doc's... okay got Office X... uhhmmm Quicken files.... Okay Quicken.... uhhmmm Internet or IE7... Okay we got Safari and Firefox and more and those are more stable and secure than IE7.... uhhhmmm and then they think... Unless you are a hardcore gamer then the Mac will do everything a PC can do and do it better and more secure......

[JDV]

Let's be honest as well as respectul of the law. It may well be possible to to this--there are forums dedicated to it--and if it isn't yet, it no doubt will be someday. But it violates the OS X license agreement to install OS X on "non-Apple branded" computers, and so it is not legal to do so. We take the license agreement very seriously on this forum.

Nonetheless, the day may come when Apple chooses to sell OS X as an OS that can be installed either as a virtual OS (a la Parallels) or as a primary OS for other Intel-based machines. There will likely still be some technical obstacles, but they can likely be overcome. Ask again when Apple makes such an announcement. In the meantime, you may be interested in reading about the matter at http://www.osx86project.org/

Joe VanZandt

[cwtnospam]

Quote: Originally Posted by nicholsps 4. Will a Microsoft Windows based mouse (connected to my laptop) have problems running on Mac OS? Used one b4 with no issues but you do lose functionality of the right mouse button..... but i have heard of third party software that will allow u to use the right mouse button

Really? I've got a Radio Shack two button mouse on my G5 and everything works on it, including right button and the scroll wheel. I never needed any extra softfware for it.

Quote: Originally Posted by moutzokers 7. And lastly, would you recommend the switch? can you forsee any problems I may run into?

Yes, absolutely. The only problems I forsee will be learning the Mac short cuts. They're different from the PC, and most people, including former PC users, find that they make more sense, but switchers often find dropping their old PC habits to be the hardest part of switching. Plan on spending some time with your new Mac to learn some of it's short cuts and all will be well.

[chicorasia]

Before this damn thread gets closed off:

Quote: 1. First of all, Can my Notebook PC (windows based) - install and cleanly run Mac OS X Tiger as an operating system?

maybe. it depends on very specific combinations of motherboard, processor, memory, etc... that's why there's something called Trusted Platform Module - TPM

Quote: 5. Do I install the Mac OS operating system like a windows system? Just run the DVD/CD on boot?

In your case, no. You'll have to download a cracked versions of OSX (that's illegal, by the way) and install from there (that's also illegal). If you can get it to install, you'll need to apply several patches (excactly which will depend on what combination of OSX and hardware you have - by the way, I suppose these patches are also illegal). Chances are you'll just end up formatting your hard drive and reinstalling windows again.

Needless to say, Apple will give you NO support for the OS and there will be NO software updates (since apple software update relies on the TPM)

Wanna switch? Sell your notebook and buy a macbook. You won't regret it.

[MBHockey]

Yep. Legally, you'll need to buy a Mac computer to run the Mac OS.

I switched about 5 years ago, and haven't looked back

[cwtnospam]

Quote: Originally Posted by chicorasia Sell your notebook ...

Heh, I could never do that to another human being. That's why I have a PC lying around here somewhere.

[schneb]

7. And lastly, would you recommend the switch? can you forsee any problems I may run into?

Just old PC habits and paranoias that will undoubtedly crop up at the beginning of your Mac experience. This passes with time and usage.

[JDV]

Actually, I use both regularly (as in virtually every day) and it is no great trick at all to get used to either system, and the differences aren't nearly as great as you might think. Windows even has a kind of "dock" in it's quick-start toolbar. Unlike most on this forum, I'm not -certain- that I prefer one over the other; they have different strengths and weaknesses. But I can say that you won't REGRET the switch to a Mac, except to the extent that you may have to invest a bit of money in apps that aren't available as freeware (e.g., filemaker pro as a database program).

Joe VanZandt

[chicorasia]

As I said on another thread, "God and the Devil are roommates in the Detail"...

Both OSes generally work - organize, print, run apps, browse the web and so on... The differences lie in the minute details - how you switch between apps & windows, how you manage your files, the little hidden shortcuts each OS has... Using - and troubleshooting - both of them every day, you'll quickly learn how much difference small details make

[haansgruber]

Yes there was a thing around for a while named pearPC but, I think it has fallen by the wayside. It is also my understanding there is some sort of encryption which prevents running OS X on a non-apple machine. I have always owned macs from the classic all the way up to now. They are the finest macines with the most elegant OS available. The headaches you save yourself are worth any additional cost alone.

I have convinced several friends to spend the additional money and I receive nothing but praise from them for my recommendation. I also used to do some windoZ tech support for close friends. I stopped completely. If you don't use a Mac, don't call me, is what I tell them now. Well except for a few Linux heads that is. I still enjoy a challenge from time to time.

Since I have gone to the nothing but Mac and Linux arena my life has never been easier.

I can guarantee yours will be too!

enjoy the new Apple,

peace,

haans