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    Buy a Macbook to run Windows XP only?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by raptor, May 27, 2006.

  1. raptor

    raptor Notebook Enthusiast

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    Would it be stupid to buy a MacBook to run and mostly (95 % of the time) use Windows XP?

    Reason is all of my software are for Windows XP and even if i start liking MAC OS X, i probably must use XP.

    Another reason i'm asking is because not all apps may work under XP + MacBook and 3D Studio MAX is one of those. Even tough i don't have 3Dsmax and will probably never get it, it might be a pain in the future to see an app not running because i got a Mac to run PC soft.

    The most important piece of software that must work is Cubase SX 3 (i'm going to make music with the MacBook)!

    Regards
    Raptor
     
    raptor, May 27, 2006
    #1
  2. biiscit

    biiscit Notebook Consultant

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    Why not get a Windows Lappie?
     
    biiscit, May 27, 2006
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  3. raptor

    raptor Notebook Enthusiast

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    The MacBook is so cheap at 2.0 GHZ + the Design + 13.3" :)
    Don't want 12 inch and don't want 14.

    The best 13.3" inch after the MacBook with Core Duo is the Vaio but that is priced 2 times the MacBook (and the MacBook has a better processor).

    Regards
    Raptor
     
    raptor, May 27, 2006
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  4. Frosties

    Frosties Newbie

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    One problem I see is that the Boot Camp beta has not yet solved power management for instance. There are other problems as well so if Windows is the key OS then I would for now look elsewhere.
     
    Frosties, May 27, 2006
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  5. Pressure

    Pressure Notebook Evangelist

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    I would like to know what applications you must run in Windows XP?

    Just out of curiosity... ;)
     
    Pressure, May 27, 2006
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  6. ogando_jose

    ogando_jose Notebook Consultant

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    Now, there is no difference between a PC and a Mac.The difference is between Windows, and MacOSX. I don't know why they call it "PC" and not "Windows" because u can also have any Unix variant on an x86.

    What I really mean, is that in the past, Mac's had a totally different arquitechture, PPC processors are quite different. They are RISC processors instead of CISC procesor (like intel). So, the software problem is not that hard to solve, as the hardware problem. I bet, that sooner or later(but most probably sooner), Windows will be 110% compatible with Macbooks.

    It's a good alternative if you already have a Windows License and you don't wanna spend in other one(well, built into the price).
     
    ogando_jose, May 27, 2006
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  7. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

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    If you're buying a Mac to run Windows, why not just buy a Windows notebook? The MacBook, while will be compatable with Windows, still has some quirks that have to be worked out (which will most likely happen when OS X is updated later this year), such as the clock, which resets itself every time the notebook is shut down, etc. Also, I can see the one-button on the Mac becoming a constant annoyance down the road if you're not using OS X a lot.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, May 27, 2006
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  8. SRD

    SRD Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would hardly call the macbook one of the best. no express card integrated graphics and its heavy. Its a decent machine. if you want a nice machine look for the Asus W7 its out in europe and will be in that states this summer.
     
    SRD, May 27, 2006
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  9. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    You are making music? Have you looked at music making apps the Mac is compatible with? Like Pro Tools? Also, if you are going to be doing things like multiple tracks and really professional/intense producing and need portablility get a Shuttle PC and stay away from notebooks. It will be difficult to find a notebook with enough power for that type of use.
     
    cashmonee, May 28, 2006
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  10. Sampson0420

    Sampson0420 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm actually ready to do the same thing. Mostly for the cost reason and the ability to use the mac OS finally. I currently have a e1405 and completly hate the screen, plus its 6+ lbs. I paid 1215 for basically the same specs as the macbook except for my dell had a faster 80gb HDD, larger battery, and a 3 yr warr. UPS is picking up the unit tomorrow and I'm ordering a macbook 2ghz for 1245 shipped and a 100 dollar rebate. I think I'd rather have a very nice screen in a small package and the ability to run mac os.

    as far as the right click, I think someone will come out with a utility very soon where you can tap the upper right corner of your touchpad and that will right click.

    I cant live without my poker stars, but I will probably end up emulating windows for most of the stuff I need and give OSX a chance.
     
    Sampson0420, Jun 5, 2006
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  11. cycloneguy2618

    cycloneguy2618 Notebook Deity

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    Its been done. Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to find it. But it has been done.
     
    cycloneguy2618, Jun 5, 2006
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  12. Sampson0420

    Sampson0420 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think its done for macs osx only, not for XP. The only utility Ive seen so far for xp is where it lets you rightclick with ctrl click. That kinda hinders how I navigate MS's OS, so I'm hoping for a more practical solution in the near future.
     
    Sampson0420, Jun 5, 2006
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  13. loopdot

    loopdot Notebook Geek

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    This page lists a bunch of utilities that emulate right click on a Mac running XP (check the comments):

    http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=35

    I've personally tried the following one on a friend's Macbook Pro and it worked pretty well.

    http://www.olofsson.info/

    The software lets you map right click and lots of other windows and function keys however you want. I found that Fn+click worked very well for right click.
     
    loopdot, Jun 6, 2006
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  14. Sampson0420

    Sampson0420 Notebook Enthusiast

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    loopdot, thanks alot for the post. The holding click down solution seems much more practicle for me since I will run windows most of the time, until I get use to the mac OS at least. Ctrl click just wont cut it since I rely on windows ctrl shortcuts frequently.
     
    Sampson0420, Jun 6, 2006
    #14