So, I watched a documentary about how Apple developed and adapted the Macintosh computer through the years, and was intrigued by how far it has come.  I researched the newest Macs, and see that I can make 2 partitions- 1 for OSX Snow Leopard, and 1 for Windows if I wish.  If I was to buy a Mac, and make the dual-boot partitions, could I run "windows only" programs like DAZ's cloth simulator or some of the Poser Python scripts?  Is anybody using a Mac dual-boot setup, and how do you like it?  I'd like to get a fully-loaded MacPro, but that will have to wait a bit, as I already have too much invested in my current machine and other computer carcasses. Thanks, -Starkdog.

is no longer necessary to install windows on mac snow leopard machine to run windows apps IMVHO.  they are intel apps now, hence one simply installs crossover.app 9.x on one's snow leopard machine without the tedium of a windows partition.

but if one has a windows install disc, then one can use 1990s stuff like vmware or parallels desktop.

but for sanities sake, why not buy an external 500GB USB drive and put all your Windows stuff on that? I was in the Wall Of Mart a few weeks ago and they are very very reasonably priced : )

Heck, I picked up a Western Digital 1TB USB drive for the price of a song. Plugged it into a USB port and Time Machine automatically fired up and I formatted the drive and made a complete back-up. When it was finished I dragged the drive's icon to the trash, turned it off, and packed it away for the next back-up session.

Piece of cake  : D

Oooo... heck! Almost forgot. You can download Apple's Boot Camp for free (if it isn't already on one of the OS disks). Let's you run Windows on your Mac.

Yes, you can run both on your mac, and probably the easiest way for a beginner is to boot into the PC mode or the mac mode without using any additional emulation software.

I think you should be able to operate on your mac drives from your PC but if not, then a software like something called DAVE allows PCs to talk to macs.

I would install poser on your mac partion.

which PC only software to you need to work on the mac?

Love esther

"is no longer necessary to install windows on mac snow leopard machine to run windows apps IMVHO.  they are intel apps now, hence one simply installs crossover.app 9.x on one's snow leopard machine without the tedium of a windows partition."

Honestly "crossover" has SEVERE limitations and wont run most NON MS progrms like DAZ studio etc  You should lreally install a proper windows partition via bootcamp

Cheers

yes, true, wolf - but give them time.  they'll get more apps covered as time goes by.

I own a mac and have the windows partition .. i installed Windows 7 on it which allows me to view files on my mac side which makes transferring of files easier from one to the other .....

Pricewise, i do wish they were cheaper ....

I use macs at home and at work.

I recommend dual boot over using parallels, unless you are just doing small things or have a lot of memory. Parallels (and presumably vmware and virtual box, etc) can run windows inside your Mac OS, but it's hardly the same experience as running it booted up purely into windows.

Just so you know, I don't use any windows software except at work. I do dream of the day when DAZ will release their dynamic clothing plugin for mac, but otherwise, I can do everything I need without ever booting into windows. At work, I use it to compile dos programs, lol. But, I have used it for more sophisticated stuff...and thus highly recommend dual booting for anything other than the really little things.

Thanks for the feedback.  I would like to get a totally loaded MacPro, but the price is out of my league.  I was looking at the MacMini just to get my feet wet into the world of Mac.  I played with the MacBook Air last night, as well as the iPad.  Heck, I want just about 1 of each just because they are so cool.  What macs are you guys and gals using?  Thanks,- Starkdog

I picked up a 2.26 Intel Core 2 Duo MacMini about a year ago and have been pretty happy with it so far. I have not bothered to install more Ram beyond the 2Gb that came pre-installed. It does PoserPro 2010 renders reasonably fast, but bogs down a bit when I do too much multi-tasking (you know, too much caffeine) ^ ^;

I got a 12 core macpro about a month ago.  I need to get more ram for it though. It renders quite fast.

but then my last old macpro with tons of ram wasn't too bad.

Love esther

Picked up...finally!....the 15 inch  i7 MacBook Pro. Maxed the Ram to 8Gigs and it is sweet. It also has two graphics cards it switches in and out of as needed by the resolution/apps you are working with to save battery juice but I alway seem to be using it plugged into the wall so it doesn't matter.

I am slowly working it into Poser 7 use (the application is killing me because I am just coming out of Poser 4 and unaccustomed to the convoluted P7 yet).

I use the touch pad which, though greater than any other touch pads I have tried working with in the past, still drives me crazy, so I am deciding to get a mouse for some things I just don't seem capable of grasping the use of the pad for.

I got a V600 Epson Scanner and have been doing hi res photorestoration with it using Adobe PhotoShop Elements 6 that came with the scanner, and a Wcom board and  the computer screams through it. Though I m having a real hard time seeing the images on the screen used to a 20 inch monitor on my 8600. But when I can afford I will try getting an extra monitor for it.

Many of the printer drivers are included in the SnowLeopard OS which is way cool. But I'll find out for sure when I try hooking up my printer to it. It worked very quickly with a black toner laser printer so I am sure the color printer hook-up will be just as quick.

I use it to watch streaming videos from Netflix until I can get the Roku box to Wifi my movie experience to my TV set. But with a set of cheap little speakers It seems to work wonderfully.

Yeh, you are right it is expensive as laptops go but as far as I'm concerned concerning Macs (which have always been more expensive than PC's) you get what you pay for and like all other Macs I have owned (starting with the beautiful for it's time IIci) the computing experience on them has always been worth every damn penny.

Congratulations! Nothing like a new computer to play with:)

Shante,
I just became liberated from my 13 inch Macbook screen ofter two years &1/4 inch thick bifocals
The Glut of Flat screen TV's on the Market has pushed prices down to the point where I just grabbed a 22 inch HDTV that accepts PC VGA input as well as HDMI
for $183 USD!!
I am Loving having this Huge workspace with my tool pallets dragged over to the Macbook screen
and watching HD movies on it is awesome of course.

Cheers

Oh the temptation!!!  I might check my local goodwill for a inexpensive test-mac, as I recently saw computers by the pallet at the drop-off center.  Even if it isn't the most current, I can always try things out, then upgrade later.  I'm looking at getting a MacBook for my wife, as she mainly does games, some iTunes stuff, e-mail, etc.  As much as I'd like to get her a MacBook Pro, it is a bit out of our price range right now.  This will replace a 2006 Compaq Presario V6000 series laptop.  I'm also going to get an Airport Extreme router, as my Cisco/Netgear router has dodgy wifi reception- it's always dropping connection from the laptop, printer, and wii for Netflix.- Starkdog.

If she's just interested in those things, why not try an ipad? You can get a little keyboard attachment and they are as powerful as the netbooks lots of folks like.

Though I got the MacBook Pro I might suggest getting it when you can afford it. Save your money instead of stepping up to it junk meal. I waited for...oh God...How many years have have I been pissing and moaning about being stuck on my 8600 using Poser4 Wolf?  YEARS! The moment finally came and tossing caution to the wind I waited for the newest and greatest to be released and dived in....finally tossing my harf earned money at Apple. I am glad I did.

As far as I am concerned I would get the maxed out MacBook  or better the self contained HUGE SCREEN iMac (same price isn't it but bigger screened!) or even the MacMini nd you can add friendly "Cheaper" third party peripherls to complete the system, but everything else Apple is way over priced. I would shop around for routers and drives and other stuff compatible with Macs new or used. A short stroll through your local Apple Store in a Mall will give you some idea of compatible products Mac likes to be friendly with then shop around for a better price elsewhere.Even second had stuff like Wolf suggested. But you really gotta now what you re getting for that especially never having been a previous Mac owner. You want the experienc to be great or you will sour on it and wind up going to Windowz machines!  ;)

For instance I have been streaming Nwtflix films to my laptop since I got it. Tonight my 23 inch Hitachi tv died right in the middle of a Netflix dvd. I got pissed but just shoved the disc into my laptop and finished it nicely. I was planning on getting the Apple TV box to stream videos to it. I found instead the ROKU box..cheaper across the board and I" m sure will do jut the same thing and still keep some cash in my pocket especially after reading the reviews on the Apple version. There are three versios of it starting at about $50 for you cheapies like me!

Now I gotto go buy a new flat screen tv to replace my old trintron-like Hitachi and then ROKU Netflix and goodbye cable subscription WooHoo!!!!

Quote - > Quote - Though I m having a real hard time seeing the images on the screen used to a 20 inch monitor on my 8600. But when I can afford I will try getting an extra monitor for it.

Shante,
I just became liberated from my 13 inch Macbook screen ofter two years &1/4 inch thick bifocals
The Glut of Flat screen TV's on the Market has pushed prices down to the point where I just grabbed a 22 inch HDTV that accepts PC VGA input as well as HDMI
for $183 USD!!
I am Loving having this Huge workspace with my tool pallets dragged over to the Macbook screen
and watching HD movies on it is awesome of course.

Cheers

13 ich? I thought you got a 17 incher. Yeah a 13 inch screen would drive me crazier than this 15 incher does.