My family needs a new computer. I like my PC, but my mom wants a Mac. How can we get the best of both worlds?

Question

My family needs a new computer, and my mom if fed up with our PC. She's decided that she wants a Mac because of its easier user interface and programs like iMovie. I, on the other hand, am a gamer, and I don't want to have to sacrifice all of my games that won't be compatible and all the programs in Microsoft office that I use for school. Also, Macs aren't as upgradable as Windows, and tend do be integrated, right? I don't want to be stuck with a computer that won't be good in a few years, and that I won't be able to upgrade.

I know that its possible to run windows on Macs, though, but I have no idea how to do that. Firstly, is it going to be necessary so that my PC programs are compatible, and if so, how should I accomplish that?

Second of all, which desktop model should I get? I'm not too sure what to get, how powerful it should be, etc. I know I probably wont be able to upgrade much, so I want something that will last.

Answer 1

First of all installing Winodws on a Mac is easy. Apple includes a utility called Boot Camp that will allow you to partition the hard drive, burn drivers to a CD and install Windows. After you have installed Windows you will get a choice of which operating system you want to boot into by default.

You also won't have much choice. You'll have to get an iMac, definetly not upgradeable. But you have a choice of 17" or 20" displays and they both have a Radeon X1600 128MB dedicated graphics card, it's not the best but then again, you don't have much of a choice.

(It is not possible to run Windows natively on a PowerMac G5).

That being said the 17" model comes with a stronger processor so I would get that version. Here is what I reccomend you get (again, since you can't upgrade it much).

iMac 17"
Intel Core Duo Processor at 2.0GHz
2GB of DDR2 Memory
ATi Radeon X1600 256MB
250GB SATA Hard Drive
SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)

You're going to pay dearly for it at $2074 with that configuration.

Answer 2

You can download ccleaner for free here: http://bit.ly/1Bk5V5C

First open CCleaner
Go to the Cleaner tab and you will be confronted by a very confusing lineup of checkboxes.
To make this brief, below is my recommended setup:
Under internet explorer check temporary internet files, cookies, and last download location. Most users don't really need this stuff. keep history and bookmarks unchecked, history is a maybe, but you don't want to lose bookmarked sites. You can normally leave Windows Explorer, System, and Advanced alone.
Run CCleaner and it will start deleting files.
afterward it will present you with a list of the files deleted, you really don't need to go through it as it will be several pages long.
The registry cleaner is recommended for slightly more advanced users. Use it after uninstalling programs as they will often leave behind incorrect registry entries.
If you decide to run Registry cleaner then review the items detected and always back up the registry (I keep a folder aside for this)
The Tools tab lets you uninstall programs and set startup programs. Why do you need this if Windows has all of these features? Especially with Vista Home Ed. The windows defender software explorer( startup programs) doesn't pick up some entries (however software explorer is easier to use).
Using CCleaner to uninstall programs and then check for leftover registry entries takes less time.
Under Options you can determine how CCleaner cleans your files. I leave this alone.

Answer 3

You can run windows programs on a mac, but it never will be same as in a PC machine, if you have money for a mac, I suggest you buy a PC too. Or teach your mom all PC can do for you. Mac is nice, is good, but not as good as PC because you won't get all those softwares & games for PC. BTW the program to run Windows on a MAC is called Virtual PC, its not free though.

Answer 4

If you get a new mac they are compatible with windows and you can actually run windows programs and mac programs on one computer. Apple currently offers Boot Camp a program to either load Windows or Mac Os 10 when the computer loads, and there is other software being developed.

Answer 5

Here is a really nice desktop with Windows/Tiger OS's installed.

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/families/new~dp~7040648~family~newimac.asp

You can run them separetly. Keeping all the applications/games you want. Macs although might have specs less than a PC and are a little more expensive, they will even run windows better than a PC. Macs also have a longer life and come with useful software that would cost tons of cash for a PC. Enjoy.

Answer 6

first of all, get a PC, they usually get spyware, etc, but they are still beter than macs. in Consumer Reports the PCs scored MUCH higher overall than the Macs, like 20% higher. Macs have better art programs though, and better customer support. i don't know how to run windows on a mac, but i personally think PC is the way to go for games, and also, older model PCs are slow. i have one from 2001 or when XP came out, and it runs slow sometimes. you just gotta clean the disc space

Answer 7

The new Macs are capable fo running windows. However you will have to buy a version of windows XP. I have seen it first hand since my Dad has a new MacBook pro. It looks decent and runs fairly quick. You can use any windows programw ith it to, with minimal delays. I would recommend that avenue, since my experience with macs versus PCs has shown me that PCS are garbage which always break/crash, my macs have not and I ahve had them both for over 5 years with minimal issues, hope thsi helps

Answer 8

I had a similar issue..this is what i did. I partioned my hdd into half or how big or small u want it...on one hdd have winXp installed and on the other mac OSX..Make sure u install Mac first and the windows..otherwise u wont b able to use windows..Once ur in windows..Google sumthin called Chain 0 (zero)..this will let u dual boot between mac and windows..Thats wat i have on my pc. This will only work wif the cracked version of Intel Mac OSX..a mere 4gb dvd

Answer 9

windows all the way macs just arent my thing they arent really compatable with other programs. but they dont get much viruses and are more easey to use then windows. but still windows is better wait till windows vista comes out then get a new como.

Answer 10

A good tool I used to clean up and speed up my PC is CCleaner. You can download it for free here http://j.mp/UrACoa
Check it out.
Best