Building a Mac?

[n7]

I love the crashing argument :roll:

So antiquated it's not even funny. XP crashes no more than OSX, if not less :roll:

And viruses are not a goddamn issue if you have common sense & a router. Or for those of you who are n00bs (seems most in this thread are), there are lots of programs to prevent that kinda issues for those of you who are challenged...

 

[secretanchitman]

mac mini is your only option with the cheapest intel core duo...

 

[ForumMaster]

even better now. you can get her a mac mini with Core 2 Duo! they upgraded the specs. it would be a fast computer. now if only they would add a TV Tuner and it would be the perfect HTPC.

 

[erikistired]

the mini seems to still be shipping with a core duo.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Teclis2323
Hey all,

I'm sure this is a very stupid question, but here goes - I'm hoping to build a small desktop for my girlfriend. While I would normally just go ahead with the build, I know that she LOVES Macs. I am wondering whether it's possible to install OS-X on a home-built computer. I know that OSX accepts Intel processors, and that Windows XP can run on Macs, so why not the other way around?

Is this possible, or am I just dumb?

It's possible, but costs more than a Mac mini, because you're using Apple parts anyway.

Total waste of time.

P.S. I heavily upgraded my Cube with 3rd party parts. Worked fine but it was not cheap... and then Apple released the Mac mini. If I had known, I would have just saved my cash and bought a Mac mini.

 

[jameswhite1979]

Mac Mini - easist solution
else...
PC Mac style case then dual boot XP with Tiger 10.4 X86 Beta test build (would have to be a member of the testing group or download an illegal copy) its a bit tricky to get sound going but should take no more than a few hours in total if you have some linux skills.

 

[butch84]

I have to suggest the mac mini as well. It should be plenty powerful for her, and it is no hassle. The small form factor is really nice too.

 

[Sforsyth]

Originally posted by: Teclis2323
Hey all,

I'm sure this is a very stupid question, but here goes - I'm hoping to build a small desktop for my girlfriend. While I would normally just go ahead with the build, I know that she LOVES Macs. I am wondering whether it's possible to install OS-X on a home-built computer. I know that OSX accepts Intel processors, and that Windows XP can run on Macs, so why not the other way around?

Is this possible, or am I just dumb?

If she doesn't game why not just buy a used older iMac they are cute and really cheap.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: n7
I love the crashing argument :roll:

So antiquated it's not even funny. XP crashes no more than OSX, if not less :roll:

And viruses are not a goddamn issue if you have common sense & a router. Or for those of you who are n00bs (seems most in this thread are), there are lots of programs to prevent that kinda issues for those of you who are challenged...

Did you read past the first line of my post?

Although I do have to admit my XP box hasn't crashed in a while either and I've yet to get infected with a virus or spyware. But that probably has to do with me being a geek and who knows how to take care of a machine. Newbies like my father-in-law would be better off with a safer machine like a mac.

But thanks for the insults anyways. My point was for newb's that are not as good with computers as probably 99% of the people on this board are, a Mac is a safer choice for them. I'm not saying that it's right for everyone, I'm not trying to shove a mac down your throat or anyone elses, I'm just saying it's right for some people. And in my case, even though I'm not a newb, I prefer a Mac anyways since I'm more productive with it than with XP or Linux. Software development hasn't been easier since I moved to a Mac.

See you CAN make your point without cussing and insulting people

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Evilhomer99
If it's for your girlfriend, just buy it for her. All you have to do is plug the damn thing in and it will work. Girls want to send email, do IPOD video and surf the net. If I didnt game I would use a mac , plus they are more pricey. I don't think macs are a big hit in these forums, but you cant deny what macs are good for. Plus, a couple of hundred bucks will be worth it in the long run, everytime your windows PC crashes (which it will at some point) your gf will give you a huge guilt trip. $ vs. Bitching.............

I don't understand that logic. The stability of a system is based on more than just the OS. I run Windows and Linux and I have *far* (as in near none) problems with my systems than my fiancee's Mac laptop. My desktop stays up for months straight. I really only bounce it for updates or software installs that require a reboot. Her Mac laptop is only up for and hour or so and her Yahoo IM locks all the time forcing a reboot. Yet she still loves and defends her Mac. Go figure...

I'll agree that out of the box a Mac is much safer than a PC in regard to malware, trojans, worms, viruses, etc but a properly configured Windows box can be secure as well. And then there's the Linux option which is free!

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Evilhomer99
If it's for your girlfriend, just buy it for her. All you have to do is plug the damn thing in and it will work. Girls want to send email, do IPOD video and surf the net. If I didnt game I would use a mac , plus they are more pricey. I don't think macs are a big hit in these forums, but you cant deny what macs are good for. Plus, a couple of hundred bucks will be worth it in the long run, everytime your windows PC crashes (which it will at some point) your gf will give you a huge guilt trip. $ vs. Bitching.............

I don't understand that logic. The stability of a system is based on more than just the OS. I run Windows and Linux and I have *far* (as in near none) problems with my systems than my fiancee's Mac laptop. My desktop stays up for months straight. I really only bounce it for updates or software installs that require a reboot. Her Mac laptop is only up for and hour or so and her Yahoo IM locks all the time forcing a reboot. Yet she still loves and defends her Mac. Go figure...

I'll agree that out of the box a Mac is much safer than a PC in regard to malware, trojans, worms, viruses, etc but a properly configured Windows box can be secure as well. And then there's the Linux option which is free!

A well configured XP box versus an out of the box Mac are about equal in terms of security. The problem is how many people know how to configure an XP box well? On AT, I'd say the majority do. In the real world...much much less. It's sad really, MS could really have done things right, but even with Vista, it doesn't seem much better.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Evilhomer99
If it's for your girlfriend, just buy it for her. All you have to do is plug the damn thing in and it will work. Girls want to send email, do IPOD video and surf the net. If I didnt game I would use a mac , plus they are more pricey. I don't think macs are a big hit in these forums, but you cant deny what macs are good for. Plus, a couple of hundred bucks will be worth it in the long run, everytime your windows PC crashes (which it will at some point) your gf will give you a huge guilt trip. $ vs. Bitching.............

I don't understand that logic. The stability of a system is based on more than just the OS. I run Windows and Linux and I have *far* (as in near none) problems with my systems than my fiancee's Mac laptop. My desktop stays up for months straight. I really only bounce it for updates or software installs that require a reboot. Her Mac laptop is only up for and hour or so and her Yahoo IM locks all the time forcing a reboot. Yet she still loves and defends her Mac. Go figure...

I'll agree that out of the box a Mac is much safer than a PC in regard to malware, trojans, worms, viruses, etc but a properly configured Windows box can be secure as well. And then there's the Linux option which is free!

you have something else going on then. my powerbook stays up for weeks at a time. i just sleep it when i'm not using it and i never turn it off. perhaps the yahoo IM client is buggy (i've used it and it doesn't crash on me, but who knows) or she has other problems. did you add ram to it maybe?

people who have unstable macs need to stop blaming the OS and start looking at themselves, because for every one of you there are a hundred people running the same programs and not having these problems. it works the same way as people with unstable windows or linux boxes.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Evilhomer99
If it's for your girlfriend, just buy it for her. All you have to do is plug the damn thing in and it will work. Girls want to send email, do IPOD video and surf the net. If I didnt game I would use a mac , plus they are more pricey. I don't think macs are a big hit in these forums, but you cant deny what macs are good for. Plus, a couple of hundred bucks will be worth it in the long run, everytime your windows PC crashes (which it will at some point) your gf will give you a huge guilt trip. $ vs. Bitching.............

I don't understand that logic. The stability of a system is based on more than just the OS. I run Windows and Linux and I have *far* (as in near none) problems with my systems than my fiancee's Mac laptop. My desktop stays up for months straight. I really only bounce it for updates or software installs that require a reboot. Her Mac laptop is only up for and hour or so and her Yahoo IM locks all the time forcing a reboot. Yet she still loves and defends her Mac. Go figure...

I'll agree that out of the box a Mac is much safer than a PC in regard to malware, trojans, worms, viruses, etc but a properly configured Windows box can be secure as well. And then there's the Linux option which is free!

Have her try adiumX or fire.app. Unless she has hardware issues or something, it's not a Mac problem. My powerbook's only been down recently for updates and I turned it off because of frequent brown outs the other day (the computers are all on UPSes or have built in batteries, but I'm a pussy).

 

[Evilhomer99]

The problem is most people arent DIY oriented, and dont like to tinker or tweak. Nobody is every going to convince me that PC's are less "problimatic" than MAC's. I have used a suse linux box and it works great, but once again, a girl who wants a good multimedia machine, in an attractive package and doesn't have to "configure" it just to make it work good...........Mac Mni

 

[Oyeve]

The reason there are no big security Mac-Attacks is because the malicious people want to affect the majority of computer users, which happens to be PC based. Mac OSX has many flaws, they just arent exploited by the virus/spyware community because it would only affect a small percentage. Has nothing much to do with what chip is inside either.

 

[Pabster]

Yes, it is possible. You can throw together a cheap 915-based Celeron setup that'll run OS X flawlessly.

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: George Powell

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Leros
If your girlfriend likes Macs, then she probably loves the Mac exterior too. You can buy similiar cases, but not THE case.

Good idea, then just slap an OSX theme/skin onto WIndows XP and she will never know......

Until the windows underneath crashes.

Unless you game then Macs are certainly a viable alternative to PCs at the moment.

Are you implying that OSX doesnt crash? Puhlease! That baby crashes more than my XP user's computers at my job! I have an equal number of Mac users and PC users and my call database shows more trouble-shooting on my macs than the PCs. And when OSX crashes, it usually crashes badly. Other than cosmetics the macs provide no substantial benefit over a PC.

QTF

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: acole1

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: George Powell

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Leros
If your girlfriend likes Macs, then she probably loves the Mac exterior too. You can buy similiar cases, but not THE case.

Good idea, then just slap an OSX theme/skin onto WIndows XP and she will never know......

Until the windows underneath crashes.

Unless you game then Macs are certainly a viable alternative to PCs at the moment.

Are you implying that OSX doesnt crash? Puhlease! That baby crashes more than my XP user's computers at my job! I have an equal number of Mac users and PC users and my call database shows more trouble-shooting on my macs than the PCs. And when OSX crashes, it usually crashes badly. Other than cosmetics the macs provide no substantial benefit over a PC.

QTF

i agree. Quit Talking Fool!

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: AmigaMan
A well configured XP box versus an out of the box Mac are about equal in terms of security. The problem is how many people know how to configure an XP box well? On AT, I'd say the majority do. In the real world...much much less. It's sad really, MS could really have done things right, but even with Vista, it doesn't seem much better.

Windows is also the *much* bigger target. If you've got (I'm guessing) 90% of the people running Windows, 5% of the people running Mac, and 5% running something else what do you think the exploit writers are going to target?

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: fisher


you have something else going on then. my powerbook stays up for weeks at a time. i just sleep it when i'm not using it and i never turn it off. perhaps the yahoo IM client is buggy (i've used it and it doesn't crash on me, but who knows) or she has other problems. did you add ram to it maybe?

I agree. I would think there's something wrong with the OS. Just like Windows a Mac OS can get corrupted and act 'flaky'. This is a default Mac laptop. She wouldn't know how to add anything to it. She barely knows how to use it.

Originally posted by: fisher
people who have unstable macs need to stop blaming the OS and start looking at themselves, because for every one of you there are a hundred people running the same programs and not having these problems. it works the same way as people with unstable windows or linux boxes.

You made my point. I'm not saying Windows or Linux are better than a Mac. Just saying that Mac isn't the 'be all end all' that some make it out to be. I say to each their own.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Evilhomer99
If it's for your girlfriend, just buy it for her. All you have to do is plug the damn thing in and it will work. Girls want to send email, do IPOD video and surf the net. If I didnt game I would use a mac , plus they are more pricey. I don't think macs are a big hit in these forums, but you cant deny what macs are good for. Plus, a couple of hundred bucks will be worth it in the long run, everytime your windows PC crashes (which it will at some point) your gf will give you a huge guilt trip. $ vs. Bitching.............

I don't understand that logic. The stability of a system is based on more than just the OS. I run Windows and Linux and I have *far* (as in near none) problems with my systems than my fiancee's Mac laptop. My desktop stays up for months straight. I really only bounce it for updates or software installs that require a reboot. Her Mac laptop is only up for and hour or so and her Yahoo IM locks all the time forcing a reboot. Yet she still loves and defends her Mac. Go figure...

I'll agree that out of the box a Mac is much safer than a PC in regard to malware, trojans, worms, viruses, etc but a properly configured Windows box can be secure as well. And then there's the Linux option which is free!

Have her try adiumX or fire.app. Unless she has hardware issues or something, it's not a Mac problem. My powerbook's only been down recently for updates and I turned it off because of frequent brown outs the other day (the computers are all on UPSes or have built in batteries, but I'm a pussy).

I think she's just got a corrupted OS. She's got a restore CD. Next time I'm with her I'm going to backup her important data and reload it. It will give me some Mac experience in the process.