Windows Drivers for Mac Rolling Out

OSXpert writes "Sure, we all know that Windows can now run on intel Apple Computers. Alas, the solution does not include drivers, and until now Mac users could still only hope to be able to use every application available to their Windows counterparts. However, with drivers now working 100% on the Mac Mini and drivers for the MacBook Pro only lacking video (which, by the looks of the 2nd link is only days away), Mac users now have a complete and working Windows solution."

Re:iBook user says...

[darkmeridian]

My firm reimburses only for Windows-compatible laptop purchases. Until now, I was stuck with a Thinkpad T60 with the CoreDuo but now I can argue that I can get a MacBook Pro. See?

Excuse me?

[diamondsw]

Doesn't look like all of these drivers are working from here [onmac.net].

Re:Counterproductive?

[xtracto]

Virtual PC would cost LESS and be a lot less trouble to get running too...

$VirtualPC+$Windows license > $Windows License

Do you get it?

For those of you looking for a VMWare/ solution...

[AugstWest]

qemu [bellard.free.fr] has been ported to the Mactels, as is WinTel [openosx.com] from openosx.com.

Of course, there's always Darwine [opendarwin.org] as well.

Re:Superior hardware? Last I checked it's not...

[Synesthesiatic]

Uh..what? Apple screamed that it didn't need USB? Last time I checked Apple was the first (or one of the first) manufacturers to ditch legacy ports and go USB-only..back in 1998.

As for SMP Apple released the dual processor Power Mac 9500 in 1995. They started using PCI around 1996.

"Well we all know how that turned out..."

Apparently not.

Download a third party codec

[syntax]

There are lots of third party codecs available for most other file formats. For xvid, try http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/17151 [macupdate.com] . WMV? Flip4Mac (which you can even get straight from microsoft now).

Re:Hurray!

[deesine]

I've used several versions of VPC and none of them can handle a modern (less than 3 years old) first person shooter. It just doesn't work: either too slow, too many dropped frames, or just doesn't load.

Don't take my word for it. Go ahead and try.

The only people who think VPC can work for a demanding FPS haven't actually tried to play one with it.

Re:Tired argument.

[TobyWong]

If you like using the keyboard for navigation try out Quicksilver for OS-X. You can set it up to do damn near anything and assign whatever keystrokes you want.

Re:Tired argument.

[Theaetetus]

Or you simply might like using XP more than OSX. Say, if you use the keyboard for navigation, you won't like OSX at all.

Really? [apple.com] Voice Navigation [apple.com] works too. And of course, there's always the Terminal for old skool keyboard navigation.

Re:Can things really be that different.

[GekkePrutser]

VMWare Server is free now, too! And it runs fine on my desktop here at work (P4 3.0Ghz) so I'd say it should be fine to run on a MBP once it becomes available for OSX. No need to get an expensive VMWare Workstation license.

http://www.vmware.com/products/server/ [vmware.com]

Re:VMWare

[Macka]

I'm currently setting up Windows 2000 on Q, but it seems to be very slow

You're going to have to wait for the QEMU Accelerator Module to be ported to Mac OS X. This thread [arstechnica.com] is an interesting read and a useful source of user's experiences and information on the subject.

Re:iBook user says...

[n2art2]

"Apple doesn't sell OSX by itself. MS, on the other hand, sells Windows as a retail package"

Um. . . . . . http://www.apple.com/macosx/ [apple.com]No Retail Version of OS X? Well This says I can buy the Full Version of the OS for $129.00.

Try http://store.royaldiscount.com/miwixpprosp2.html [royaldiscount.com] for a Full Retail Version of XP Home. $210.00

I'm sure you can find cheaper prices elsewhere, but remember apples to oranges, we are talking Full Retail Versions, not OEM prices, since we want to install it on our own hardware legally.

Re:How long before we see OS/X on a standard PC?

[Algan]

Take a look here http://osx86project.org/ [osx86project.org]

It works, but it is very picky when it comes to hardware - mainly due to missing drivers.

Re:Linux

[piggy]

In that case, I'm not sure I follow your point. In any well abstracted API, an arbitrary software application should be agnostic to the hardware, as long as the API functions as advertised. Clearly there will be software that requires direct access to the hardware layer, but that's irrelevant to the general argument of the post to which you responded. The transition from one hardware platform to another -- in fact, from one instruction set and even one endianness to another -- has been made greatly invisible to the software applications, except in relatively specialized contexts. Commonality has nothing to do with Apple's ability to accomplish that. And if the API is unchanged from Mac OS X (PowerPC) and Mac OS X (Intel), an arbitrary application would not be aware on which version it is running, unless it makes a specific request. That is to say, the only commonality that is relevant is commonality of Cocoa and Carbon and the BSD/Darwin subsystem -- and that just means that both systems use Mac OS X (Universal) APIs.

Not sure if I missed something in your statement. If so, please elaborate.

Re:Hurray!

[ceoyoyo]

Um, go check out the Apple Store. They released a new mini. Core Solo or Core Duo (so much for slow), optical audio in AND out, works great with USB and Firewire TV video capture devices, up to 120 GB 7200 RPM HD, very easy to add external Firewire or USB drives (costs you the price of the drive +$30 for a case), gigabyte ethernet, airport, Front Row and remote.

The only problem is the shared memory graphics, but that's irrelevant unless you want to play games. Seriously, it's a great computer for the price, particularly as a media/file/web/etc. server.

Re:Tired argument.

[theAtomicFireball]

What about drop-down (select) boxes? You can't tab to those, yet they take input from the keyboard (up/down to select items)...

Yes, you can. It's not set that way by default, but if you go into System Preferences->Keyboard & Mouse under the Keyboard Shortcuts tab, there's a radio button that allows you to change it so that all controls can be tabbed to. "All" controls includes Pop-up menus, drop-down lists, and combo boxes.

I don't use DreamWeaver, but unless they've implemented custom controls (possible), then it should work once you've selected this radio button. If it doesn't, then it's Macromedia's fault for not implementing a control that follows the Universal Access guidelines.

Re:iBook user says...

[bluekanoodle]

I just looked at the Dell 1505 and to get the nearest equipped 1505 to match the lowend macbook, it would cost you $2040. Granted there is an additional mail in rebate of 250, but that still only puts you 200 less then the macbook. (The model for 1500 is kind of similar to the macbook, but they scrimp on certain hardware.)

  So for 200 dollars more, I could get something that can run not only Windows, but also Mac OS X. The extra software that comes with the Mac and the tight integration between the OS and the hardware make this a no brainer for me. Not to mention the dell is heavier and bigger. :)