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    difference between mac OS and win Xp

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by hmmmmm, Sep 9, 2006.

  1. hmmmmm

    hmmmmm Notebook Deity

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    i don't think it's possible to run windows XP on a mac but why?

    or is it possible?

    isn't the difference between a mac and PC only in the OS?
     
    hmmmmm, Sep 9, 2006
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  2. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    Yes it is, lookup bootcamp. You'll need it to emulate the BIOS since Macs use EFI.

    The OS is the only difference now, but until recently the CPU architecture was entirely different (Power). Well, they do also use EFI instead of BIOS as stated above.

    Macs have been getting blander and blander. First they dropped SCSI, and now the Power architecture. So sad, they've become average.
     
    Ethyriel, Sep 9, 2006
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  3. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    As Ethyriel said you can install Windows via Boot Camp. There are also several other ways, such as Parallels, Crossover Office, and soon VMWare. They will let you run Windows as a virtual machine. So as of now the only main differences are the OS and the File System.
     
    cashmonee, Sep 9, 2006
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  4. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    As long as you have an Intel Mac, then yes you can run XP. And even if you have an old PowerPC Mac, you can still run XP via other sources such as VirtualPC.
     
    Paul, Sep 9, 2006
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  5. Jalf

    Jalf Comrade Santa

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    Well, you have to keep in mind that the Power architecture is nothing special, and for the last several years, it's been lagging behind X86. Is it sad that Apple becomes average, if they were previously below-average?
    Because that's what they were, at least when looking at the CPU.
    Bland maybe, but I'd rather have a powerful, bland computer, than a slower, but non-bland one. Wouldn't you?
     
    Jalf, Sep 9, 2006
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