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

[moutzokers]

Hi

First of all, I'd just like to say I didnt think this thread would fit in the 'switchers' section - as the description stated "A great place to find out how to do something on the Mac that you did in windows"... and I haven't exactly switched just yet... only contemplating...


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

[ora]

1. No, Mac OS only runs on Mac hardware, you'd have to buy a mac to joins the mac world

2. Not itself, but on Mac hardware you can boot into windows using Bootcamp (a utility from apple) or run Windows programs in a window using a piece of software called parallels

3. Normally this is fine,.

4. Pretty much all USB peripherals work, and you can buy cheap converters for PS/2 stff

5 - Well as you can only install OS X on a mac i guess this isn't relevant, but on a Mac, you just start up from an install CD/DVD and off you go.

6 - well the accessories that come on mac hardware run under both mac and windows...

7 - Yes! But it sounds like you'd have to buy new hardware....

[moutzokers]

thanks very much for the fast response

It's just that, I can remember reading somewhere not too long ago that Apple released a version of Mac OS X 10.4.8 (or something like that) that was compatible with all x86 systems...

I might be wrong, but can anyone shed any light on this?

[ora]

The only version like you describe was illegal and very very dodgy, apple only sell OSX to run on x86 with their own x86 hardware, you can't even buy it separately.

[fryke]

Apple did _not_ release that hacked version. Some hacker did.
And we do not discuss hacks/warez/etc. here (read the board rules about that).
So your only legal way to switch to the Mac, currently, is to buy one.

[moutzokers]

Originally Posted by fryke

we do not discuss hacks/warez/etc. here (read the board rules about that).

sry hehe

wasnt aware that it was in fact an unofficial version...

in that case it's no problem, i guess i'll just stick to Vista.

Thanks for your help ora

[nixgeek]

If you do decide to give the Mac a try, you can always get a second-hand PowerPC Mac that can easily run Mac OS X, that way it will give you something to learn on. Most used Macs can be had for very cheap now and still hold their usage value.

Here are the current prices for the Power Mac G4 models:
http://lowendmac.com/ppc/deals.html

They have listings on other deals for other Macs as well:
http://lowendmac.com/deals.shtml

This way you can have a Mac to play with along with your current PC to use in the meantime. And all legally, too.

[Natobasso]

http://www.apple.com/getamac/