Okay macites!

OK, first it is the Mac mini, not the "minimac"

And you have to pay extra to run windows, if you do not already own a copy.

This depends on the method you use. If you have a retail copy of Windows already you can use boot camp which is free and included to dual boot.
It works great and EVERYthing works with the full power of your new system. In this case Windows is the ONLY thing running and has the full resources.

Parallels is another option, last I checked (when I bought it) it was $79 and allows you to run multiple OSes at once, including just about any version of Windows or Linux. You have to provide you own copy of Windows though. But you can use just about any version, whereas BootCamp requires XP Sp2 or Vista.

This depends. For the utmost in compatibility, run Boot Camp.
Using Parallels is not the best for intensive programs since you are tying up the system with OS X as well but it is great for general purpose programs like a Bible program or running IE if a site requires it etc.

Basically what I listed above, depending on what you want to do, those are the two options. Well, there is also VMware fusion which is nothing more than a competing program to parallels.

As I said above, in any case you will need to buy Windows unless you already own a copy.
Parallels will run 2000 if you already have it. You can even run older versions of Windows in Parallels but you won't have Parallels Tools which allows copy and paste functions between the host and guest.

 

Everytime I go to the Apple store I end up helping others like you. IN fact I have had multiple cases where the people told me I was more help than the employees.

The worst time was when I had to correct all that the employee said after she walked away because she didn't know what she was talking about.

 

Boot Camp would work better than Parellels due to the simple fact that it does not tie up system memory with a second OS. Mac minis don't come with a whole lot of RAM standard, and even if you bumped that up it would still bog things down and possibly cause resource conflicts.

Hmmm... I dunno. "Minimac" sounds pretty good to me. I know several people running Hackintosh, and they seem to like it. I wouldn't be against using the OS... it is just the hardware that I have a problem with.

 

I am assuming that you have not used either of these.
I have used both and I can say you are technically correct but practically incorrect.
Boot camp has it's place but Parallels is just the way to go for the most part unless you are really doing intensive stuff and in that case you might be better off with a dedicated PC unless it was an occasional use like gaming. I have heard of people using Boot Camp for gaming and the Mac for everything else.

Hmmm, that is funny because I love the hardware too!

 

I've been using a mac mini for about 2 years now~~if you get it order the max RAM available~upgrading isn't as easy as poppin the cover off the typical pc tower . I ordered mine with 1GB; should have gotten 2GB, though I really don't over work mine (I've still got more than half the 60GB HD empty)...it's been a terrific unit. I still have an old pc in the other room for windows stuff so haven't considered doing the dual bootin' boogie on it:smilewinkgrin:

I sorta like the idea of separate monitor rather than it being a single unit.

 

So have I heard this right?

Mac says there's more than one way to be saved?

Rob

Sorry I thought this was a MacArthur thread.

 

I got a MAC because I hated windows. I now hate MAC worse but it is good enough for email. The MAC file system is crazy.

 

A lot of RAM is important if you are to run Parallels. I got 2 gig RAM and its OK, but more is even better.

 

I have 2 gigs of RAM in my MacBook and it runs Parallels great! I use it pretty much just for my Logos software (can´t wait for the Mac version!) and it workers faster than on my old PC laptop.

I also love the Spaces feature of the new OSX. It is great for using Parallels because you can open up Windows in one space and run your other stuff in another space and switch back and forth with ease.

But you are right. You need beefy RAM to run it well. For those who don´t want to go that option there is always bootcamp.

 

That is an odd comment. What do you mean it is crazy?
Are you referring to the Finder?

 

Somebody told me that when running a Mac program the Mac hardware utilizes its resources better than a PC. For example a Mac with 2GB of Ram is equal to a PC running 6GB of Ram. Is this True? I noticed that on Unreal Tournament a very graphic intensive game only uses 512mb of ram and on the PC you need about 2GB just to run it in med res mode.

Hawg