The Mac Thread

[Shorty]

1. According to Apple, OS X v10.5 (Leopard) is due out in Spring 2007. So yeah, the next few months.

2. AFAIK, there aren't any plans to put Core 2 Extreme processors into the MacBook Pro range. The MacBook Pros do come with Core 2 Duo processors (not the Extreme version) at 2.16 and 2.33Ghz depending on the model and from what I hear, they're pretty quick. So you're not exactly missing out.

[Vicious]

I have an older iMac G3 that I bought for my mom for $10 USD with 192mb of RAM from a thrift shop (months ago). I think it has Mac OS 9 . . . is there anyway to get OSX on there and have it run decently while turning down some of the eye candy? She's been bitching about not having her own PC to surf the net on so I thought it would alright . . .

Would it be as easy as installing XP or am I in for a challenge?

[Shorty]

Well, you're installing a new operating system so it's not going to be trivial. :P

As long as your system meets the system requirements (and most importantly, has a FireWire port because OS X won't install without one), you should be good to go. I would definitely recommend a RAM upgrade though, as I don't think 192Mb would cut it. The minimum's 256Mb, but OS X loves memory so get as much as you can afford. 8)

From what I remember about installing OS X on my MacBook Pro, it's not a hugely difficult process. The installation program will ask you a few basic questions and you do have the option of customing what's installed to the hard drive or you can just go with the default installation. If you have any documents or important data installed on there, I'd recommend backing them up too. If you have any pre-OS X programs you need to run (and given how long OS X has been out for, there aren't that many of them), you can run those in Classic mode.

So, like I said, it's not going to be trivial. But as long as your system fits the requirements and you have some experience installing operating systems, you should be fine. :thumbsup:

[The Brett]

I'm thinking of replacing my current iBook with a Mac Mini. Now, there is actually method in this madness- I have an office at my University (since I'm a President of one of the faculty associations) so I don't need to bring a computer to uni. I also rarely take my laptop away with me, and if I'm going somewhere where I'll need a computer there's usually one available. My idea is that it would basically be like a little portable multimedia unit for me, with OSX and Windows installed, heaps of hard drive space and every program under the sun sitting there ready to use. Almost like a big USB drive, you might say, with more functionality. Plus, having Civ 3 at my disposal all the time couldn't hurt. :P

Thoughts?

[RawkSuga]

is it true that with macs you cant upgrade parts but you need to buy a new mac all together? Unlike pcs?

Im a graphic design student and they encourage us to use macs over pcs.
Personally i have a pc but getting a mac someday has crossed my mind.

[Shorty]

The Brett: You could use a Mac Mini for that purpose, but you could also install OS X to an external USB hard drive (it can be done, though I haven't tried) and target boot from that whenever you need it). But that would only work as long as the computer you're using is a Mac and it's a FireWire drive IIRC. Booting Windows from an external drive is another matter entirely. But a Mac Mini would probably be better suited as you can just "borrow" a keyboard and mouse whenever you need to use it. Though I'd still recommend a laptop as a true all-in-one portable computing system, your plan is at least somewhat workable. :P

RawkSuga: Depends on the Mac you're talking about and your definition of "upgrade". The laptops aren't really upgradeable except for RAM and hard drives, but that's a general laptop thing. The desktops are more upgradeable, except for major things like processors and motherboards. But most people tend to just replace the entire computer if they need to upgrade that many components. It's marginally cheaper to do so anyway and you can still keep the old Mac as a file server or sell it on eBay (there's a pretty big market for used Apple gear). So the short answer is "yes, in certain circumstances".

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Originally Posted by Shorty

So the short answer is..

You should copyright that phrase now:

The Short Answer, with your host, Shorty.

[Queenie]

On my LACIE 250gb external hd I have got both CLASSSIC (os 9.0) and OSX folders so I can boot it from there if I so choose. The main reason it's a good idea to have a classic folder is so that you can still play old games like Starcraft and Diablo on there.

I didn't know you could upgrade the graphics shorty.

[RawkSuga]

Originally Posted by Shorty

The Brett: You could use a Mac Mini for that purpose, but you could also install OS X to an external USB hard drive (it can be done, though I haven't tried) and target boot from that whenever you need it). But that would only work as long as the computer you're using is a Mac and it's a FireWire drive IIRC. Booting Windows from an external drive is another matter entirely. But a Mac Mini would probably be better suited as you can just "borrow" a keyboard and mouse whenever you need to use it. Though I'd still recommend a laptop as a true all-in-one portable computing system, your plan is at least somewhat workable. :P

RawkSuga: Depends on the Mac you're talking about and your definition of "upgrade". The laptops aren't really upgradeable except for RAM and hard drives, but that's a general laptop thing. The desktops are more upgradeable, except for major things like processors and motherboards. But most people tend to just replace the entire computer if they need to upgrade that many components. It's marginally cheaper to do so anyway and you can still keep the old Mac as a file server or sell it on eBay (there's a pretty big market for used Apple gear). So the short answer is "yes, in certain circumstances".

Ahh i see
what does an average mac cost these days a desktop one
thats preferly good for a graphic designer

[StorminNorman]

Well... Apple splits the Mac line up into "Pro" and "Consumer" models.

You could be looking at upwards of $6000 for a well-specced Mac Pro and decent monitor. On the other hand, as student, you're unlikely to need anything more than an iMac or MacBook. Apple have pretty generous educational discounts too.