Mac OSX simulation on PC?

[PCTech]

Heh, thanks for the information... it looks like Apple are even more of a pain in the butt than MS... if that's possible. Personally my OS of choice is LInux, not MS, but that won't get me far as a DST here so I'm forced to get certified for MS.

Looks like I'll have to put this on hold as cheap is not an adjective I'd use for anything Mac based here.

[nixgeek]

Looks like I'll have to put this on hold as cheap is not an adjective I'd use for anything Mac based here.

A common misconception held over from the early 90s by most PC users.

I don't know...the Mac mini seems quite affordable is you're looking to get into OS X. It's pretty comparable to similary spec-ed PCs out there. Plus, it brings a bunch of useful software like iLife and others that most of the PCs in that price range don't have. Heck, with FOUR PCs you COULD sell one of them for a Mac. That would leave you three PCs for you to use....wouldn't that be enough?

Heck, you could even go with one of the latest PowerPC models before the Intel switch. Those should be even cheaper and should also run OS X quite well.

Or you could do what I did with an old 600 MHz Snow iMac G3 and install Ubuntu Dapper on it. Runs quite nicely on that old Mac.

[PCTech]

Everything's expensive when you're on disability my dear.

Second hand PCs here can be bought for peanuts... certainly one's as old as mine. My newest desktop is an Abit KV8 with an AMD Barton 2500+ which is 3 years old and dual Booted with 2KPro/Mandrake 10.1. My 2nd desktop has an Abit KT7a rev1.3 mobo with a 1GHz AMD Thunderbird OC'd to 1.33GHz(1.775volts) @ 38C idle. Triple booted with 2KPro/98/Ubuntu Dapper. My 3rd Desktop is Pentium III 900 coppermine. I do have 2 older ones, but they're not running atm. At some point I may try dualbooting my Aser laptop with one of the Linux OS's.

My disposable income is focused on getting me the qualifications I need to be able to get the job I want as a tech when I'm pronounced fit enough to do so. Anything I do with Macs is purely as a sideline and out of my own curiosity and wish to learn as much as I can about computers in general.

Yes it would be nice to have a 64bit system but a dual processor server would actually be more beneficial to my ongoing knowledge and career development. Any fool can build and troubleshoot a PC, it's learning to ins and outs of the operating systems that I'm focused on, or how can I offer full support?

[nixgeek]

Out of curiousity, what is the total cost on each of those first two systems (Barton and T-Bird) including all the internal components? I'm not trying to knock you or anything....I know what it's like to be on a tight budget and use older computers to learn stuff, especially operating systems. I have a family with two kids (soon to be three) and the iMac I just purchased last year was because of a refinance. Otherwise I would have saved up and bought a used Power Mac which would have costed me about as much as a gradually self-built PC upgrade (mobo, CPU, RAM at bare minimum). Before that, I had a Motorola StarMax that I got for free as well as an old Quadra 650. And the PCs I have at home were self-built as well. While I have the Cely D and the Athlon XP 2400+, I didn't start out with those either. I originally had a Pentium II 450 before the Athlon which I bought about 3 years ago. As for the income, that's all going to the family, especially the upcoming baby due in February (which was a surprise to both of us, but such is life ). My wife and I both work so that we can live comfortably, meaning we can buy food and clothing and other needs without worrying about the utilities and mortgage being paid. In other words, we don't live beyond our means.

Also considering that I work for the school district managing two elementary schools and do a LOT of troubleshooting, I need to know how most operating systems, especially Windows and Mac OS (both Classic and X) function so that I can troubleshoot them without delay. This is why I'm also testing out Vista since our district will eventually move to that. I know exactly where you're coming from in terms of finances and work experience.

Again, if you REALLY want to learn how to use Mac OS X, the best and legal way is to find a used Mac (Power Macs of all kinds from the blue and white G3, iMac, and up are very affordable now) and install OS X on it. Even if you use an older version like 10.3, or even 10.2, you can gain some experience. While 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 might have some differences, the core function is basically the same. It's just a matter of finding one at the right price:

See here for some deals that Low End Mac has available. I saw a mention for a 333 MHz iMc for 50 bucks + shipping from MegaMacs. (EDIT: Or this page for some good prices in the UK, also on the Low End Mac site.) Is that really all too expensive to just test around OS X?

[PCTech]

Actually I've found a site and was having a look at specs and prices. They're not as bad as I expected, but less than £300 would be preferable. Some advice on which ones I should consider and what they are capapble of running would be helpful. I can probably afford one for Christmas... since no-one else ever buys me presents these day... (all go ahhh and send me some cash.. lol).

http://www.2ndchancepc.co.uk/maccpus.html

As for costs:

The TBird 1GHz originally cost me £766.60 to build (as of 10/7/01) - note I never use generic anything in my own PCs... I build them myself because I want to choose what I put in them, and I use componants from some of the best manufacturers on the market. A similar spec PC at the time would have cost me in the region of £1500 to buy.

As for the Barton, it started life as an upgrade for the TBird with a new motherboard, cpu (2200+) and Ram(2100) plus videocard, which then upgraded to a modified case... about 6 months later I upgraded to a Thermaltake v1000 Xazer III full tower with hardcano 9 and 7 silent fans... as you can guess an OCer's case with a price to match. It's a big heavy beasty but I still love it. Including the silent power supply it cost about £160. A couple of months later the mobo imploded, so I upgraded to the KV8, Barton and 333 Ram with a view to OCing it. It's had various hdds, cd-rws, dvd-rws, video cards. etc in and out over the years... how much did it all cost me? I have absolutely no idea... cost simply wasn't a factor at the time.

[nixgeek]

My second link (which was in the quotes) is from that same site.

I'd say go for this one or this one. Of the two, I recommend the former but that latter is good if you prefer the price. Either will take PC-100 RAM so if you have at home to spare then you won't have to spend the money on extra RAM. 128 MB is too little for OS X. 256 at the very least if your running 10.3 (just to test it out) and 512 MB for 10.4.

[PCTech]

I just phoned up the merchant and the guy there recommened the mac mini @ £399 inc of vat as I would still have to buy the OS @ £79 for the older mac and upgrade the ram to 512mbs(£65) as I don't have any PC-100, plus it wouldn't have wifi or bluetooth capabilities. And then there's the £30 vat(tax) to add, which would make the G4 in total £363. It seems silly to quibble over £30-40, when I can get a brand new one so cheap with OSX, wi-fi and bluetooth already installed.

As it's so small I can install it on this screen and would only need to get a usb keyboard and mouse... actually I'd probably go for a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. So I think I will go for that, I'll just have to sell a PC and some other bits I have stored to help finance it.

If nothing else I'll be able to use for my graphics. I have actually been toying with the idea of getting a mini PC, but a mini mac will do instead. I've had a look over on Apple's site and I actually like it! The fact that it just likes like a little silver box sitting on the table really tickles me. Damn, you've converted me. I can't believe I'm actually gonna go an buy myself a Mac!... LOL!

[Natobasso]

You can make your pc look like a mac using this software:
http://www.flyakiteosx.com/

Apple has a Bootcamp page describing how to run Windows XP on an Intel Mac:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/