Got my PC running OSX the other day, and im liking it. Garage band is pretty cool, just wish games would run under it so I didnt have to reboot to play TF2.

Anyone else done the same, I used the iDeneb 1.4 DVD which lets you add drivers during the install, changed some bios settings to get it to read the HDD, and now it all works good, boots into OSX in just over a minute from power on, 15secs of that being in the bios, and the HDD isnt running all the time like in vista.

I did it once. Realised that I couldn't really do any of the stuff I do in Windows apart from browse the web, so I got rid of it.

I did it once. Realised that I couldn't really do any of the stuff I do in Windows apart from browse the web, so I got rid of it.

Like what? The only thing I can't see OSX doing is gaming (like ViPER said). I was thinking of installing ubuntu but then I'd also suffer from the same problem as OSX. But if it's any indication of the future, some companies are starting to realise that a substantial amount of nerds like using Linux.

last edited by Bats*** at 12:46:42 12/Apr/09

Yeah gaming is the only thing I cant do, and its the only thing I can think of that is limited in osx, i mean some games are ported but not nearly enough.

Its got Messenger, and RDP client and all the other normal video and photo stuff that is actually better in osx.

What is the reason behind the lack of games on OSX? Is it simply because the number of machines running OSX tiny? How much work goes into porting/coding for OSX/Linux?

last edited by Bats*** at 12:59:29 12/Apr/09

Probably because game studios need to make a considerable amount of extra effort to release multi-platform and they don't see the return worth it.

I have no idea how game development works, but I would have figured it would be alot easier now with standard intel cpu's and nvidia and ATI graphics cards shared between windows and OSX.

I realy would have though the HL2 engine would have been ported.

What is the reason behind the lack of games on OSX? Is it simply because the number of machines running OSX tiny? How much work goes into porting/coding for OSX/Linux?

Main issue is most games these days are built for using DirectX, so porting becomes a pain. That being said, EA is now committed doing OS-X ports of their games. A lot of games are available now, but there are some big missing ones (namely anything source engine based).

Is there an equivalent of DirectX on the OSX? It's strange how EA is actually doing good in this case.

I realy would have though the HL2 engine would have been ported.

I think the main thing reason it hasn't is that the founders of Valve are former Microsoft Executives, so guessing they just want to focus.

Is there an equivalent of DirectX on the OSX? It's strange how EA is actually doing good in this case.

OpenGL. Thats why iD games are ported so easily, same with UT engine games (both engines support both D3D + OpenGL).

uhhhhh, there is a lot more to directx than direct3d.

And microsoft will basically never allow directx to be ported to osx, if its even possible.

Im still liking osx though, just rebooting to play games is a pain, but i can live with it, anyone had any experience using crossover?

Like what? The only thing I can't see OSX doing is gaming (like ViPER said).

All I use my PC for is browsing the web and gaming, so yeah, it's a huge limitation for me. That, and since using Windows 7, I really find no reason to change to OS X. I have nothing against it, but it's not offering me anything I don't already have. And I vastly prefer the Windows 7 taskbar over the OS X dock.

I have nothing against it, but it's not offering me anything I don't already have.

Before I stopped gaming and also before iPhone SDK came out I couldn't see any reason to use a Mac but now its my main computer and its works a treat. I must say that its nice not to have hardware compatibility and stability issues though (compared to say, my dad's PC with Vista). That being said, I don't need a super fast gaming beast so my Mac mini is fine for me.

As for gaming, most games written using OpenGL and OpenAL are mostly straight forward to port for the most part as this is the major wall to jump when porting games.

As for gaming, most games written using OpenGL and OpenAL

Read: Very few games.

As far as the whole "just works" thing goes, everything with Windows 7 has "just worked" with my old-arse PC, and it's not even out of beta yet.

If it's enough for your needs, then the more power to you. As for me, I don't forsee that I'll stop playing games any time soon (especially being a games developer), so I also don't forsee an Apple computer every being particularly useful to me.

Macs are pretty much for people who like shiny things and find multiple buttons on mice confusing.

When was the last time you used a Mac nFag? The standard mice nowadays have at least 3 buttons.

I've considered buying an actual mac, but the hardware is just overpriced, running it on standard PC hardware you kinda get the best of both worlds.

Read: Very few games.

Yep.

As far as the whole "just works" thing goes, everything with Windows 7 has "just worked" with my old-arse PC, and it's not even out of beta yet.

That's why my dad is keen to just go out and buy Windows 7 to replace Vista since it runs like a piece of s*** (bugs rather than performance). While I didn't have any problems with Vista on my gaming beast, I can see why anyone with any remotely older generation would have doubts.

If it's enough for your needs, then the more power to you. As for me, I don't forsee that I'll stop playing games any time soon (especially being a games developer), so I also don't forsee an Apple computer every being particularly useful to me.

Not to mention that PCs as gaming machines are much much cheaper! Sure, iMacs can have 8800s but they cost a f***load.

GarageBand seems like an odd reason to want OSX, considering it's a separate $130 purchase to get the iLife suite. So to do this properly (using Apple hardware and paying for the software) would cost you more than buying a decent PC with something like Ableton Live.

Obviously, but you missing the point of the thread, im running it on my PC, its not mac hardware.

List of games that run on Mac

http://rickyday.net/blog/544px-macintosh.jpg
LOL

List of games that run on Mac

No Steam, no care.

Like what? The only thing I can't see OSX doing is gaming (like ViPER said). I was thinking of installing ubuntu but then I'd also suffer from the same problem as OSX.

I've got ubuntu on here along with windows and find it quite the awesome for a whole load of things. I had CS running through wine although it was rather slow and nowhere near as good as windows.

Q: why did the mac user cross the road

A: cause theyre a moron

Ive installed OSx86 for quite a few people lately.

Mostly dev users.

?That's why my dad is keen to just go out and buy Windows 7 to replace Vista since it runs like a piece of s***

what's the rationale there?

"The last $300 OS I bought from MS didn't work, maybe I'll by the next one!@#!@#" (but seriously, why?)

"The last $300 OS I bought from MS didn't work, maybe I'll by the next one!@#!@#" (but seriously, why?)

Did you read the posts? I haven't tried it myself, but 7 is reported by a few people to run better than Vista.

No idea why; Vista works OK for me. Maybe they fixed some things that were bent for some people?

Yeah, I've switched from XP to the Windows 7 beta and it runs fine. I honestly don't miss XP at all.

Did you read the posts? I haven't tried it myself, but 7 is reported by a few people to run better than Vista.

Yeah, I never really had too many issues with Vista either to be honest, but what gripes I did have are gone with Windows 7. I really don't think there's going to be any excuse for people to stick with XP once it's out, other than just being flat-out stubborn.

Well I use a Hackintosh (iAtkos, running 10.5.6) for game development, so I guess I can throw in my 2 cents!

I'd never have OSX as my only system. Ever. It feels like wearing a straight jacket (don't ask why I know how that feels). You're safe, but you have no control. It's fantastic if you just want something to browse the web, check emails and play a bit of multimedia. It's not better than Windows or Linux at doing these things, it's just easier to find those things and the end user is less likely to break something.

As for using OSX as a development platform, I really don't get what the fanboys are on about. The majority of my coding experience is in Microsoft Visual Studio on Windows, and I've got to say that it's the best development environment I've ever used. It's fast, functional, easy to use, intuitive. It outshines anything I have used on the Mac. At the moment I'm using Unity and the iPhone SDK for development, and while these are fantastic pieces of software, the limitations of the Mac hold them back. I can't STAND the way OSX handles mouse acceleration and movement. The lack of a task bar showing what I have open behind the current window s***s me too, but I'm starting to get used to it. If I could develop for the iPhone on Windows, I would in a heartbeat.

I'd like to see the statistics on what platforms are used most for development and design fields. I couldn't imagine OSX being more popular than things like Windows, Linux or one of the other bastard children of Unix. I just don't see how the Mac is superior, but I'm quite eager to find out. The best thing about OSX (and everything Apple, really) is simplicity and ease of use. I don't see how the limitations placed on the end user result in a superior development/design environment?!?!

As already mentioned, the reason gaming sucks on the Mac is due to most games being made in DirectX. It's *usually* easier to make games in DirectX compared to OpenGL, and the small market share of OSX makes putting the extra effort into using OpenGL kinda pointless financially. There's also the fact that Macs often have slightly outdated hardware (for example, the best card you can get in a Mac at the moment is a 4850 or 4870 AFAIK). Thanks to the bickering and bitching that went on between stake holders, the latest OpenGL does not compare to DirectX 10, so there will probably be even LESS OpenGL games being made. I think even Carmack was down on it.

Hey 3dee, did you find setting up registration on the Apple Dev site and registering a device for development uncharacteristically complex? Apple products are normally such a breeze to pick up and use, but setting up to develop on an iPhone is a fair bit of dicking around.

what limitations? its a unix kernal and can be manipulated as much as any OS if you need to. the thing is you dont. what you are complaining and limitations and being held back, is most likely just you dont know how to use it, OR is something you dont need to get access too anyway.

also i cant understand anyone who has used osx at all complaining about window management??? ever heard of spaces and expose? also with in dock previewing and quicklook i cant understand your complaint?

I can't STAND the way OSX handles mouse acceleration and movement. The lack of a task bar showing what I have open behind the current window s***s me too, but I'm starting to get used to it. If I could develop for the iPhone on Windows, I would in a heartbeat.

Oh man. The mouse cursor acceleration SUCKS. I have to use SteerMouse to make it close to Windows coz it just SUCKS.

Lack of task bar is a bad thing? I know exactly what I've got open. I have Expose and Spaces hooked up to the top corners so a mouse flick away and I can see what windows I can zoom onto. IMO, Expose is the number one useful thing in a window-based GUI, hands down. I often go to do it on Windows and nothing happens!

Hey 3dee, did you find setting up registration on the Apple Dev site and registering a device for development uncharacteristically complex? Apple products are normally such a breeze to pick up and use, but setting up to develop on an iPhone is a fair bit of dicking around.

Yeah it is. Mainly the provisioning profiles but that's really to restrict the use of your app to ensure its only used where you want it (except for maybe Crackulous or something).

card you can get in a Mac at the moment is a 4850 or 4870 AFAIK

And thats old is it? I seem to remember 4870s being F$CKING fast.

As for using OSX as a development platform, I really don't get what the fanboys are on about. The majority of my coding experience is in Microsoft Visual Studio on Windows, and I've got to say that it's the best development environment I've ever used. It's fast, functional, easy to use, intuitive. It outshines anything I have used on the Mac.

I agree. Visual Studio has this "ease of coding" about it. Something about Xcode which just makes me feel a little disconnected from the code files I'm writing. To me, coding on Mac is a little strange. Not to mention using the text caret and the mouse in Xcode f***ing pisses me off. I can click into the space I want to type on Windows in a heartbeat but on Mac I have to aim for the text position I need to select then tap.

4850's and 4870's are pretty good, and can run most games out there with high settings, but there are graphics cards out there that totally trump them.

Yeah I found the whole provisioning thing and registering a device to be somewhat convoluted. It's nice of them to put videos explaining what to do on the site.

Don't get me wrong, Macs are fine. They have their strengths and weaknesses, they're just not inherently better than any other platform.

I would happily switch to Kubuntu or SuSE linux, having dual booted for a long time with SuSE - but unfortunately I always come back to Windows for games. Same problem.

I heard that Steam runs pretty well under WINE now - can anyone confirm?

If you're happy with lowered framerates and DX8 visuals, then yes, most Source games run fine.

I've told the boss to ditch his Apple craptop for a Ubuntu machine to save some cash (funny how they all hear and understand the word 'save').

MS Virt Machine is there is he wants to 'go back' to his old 'computer'.

gawd.. my mother is still arguing with friends about her new laptop that **really** came with trusty ol' Windows 98se.


*sigh*

Scanned through this thread - no one seems to mention CrossOver for Mac.

The special PC Games version will let you run a number of popular games off of OSX.

Also, screw using hacked disc images - installing off a retail disc with a vanilla kernel FTW!

I heard that Steam runs pretty well under WINE now - can anyone confirm?

I've found Cedega runs steam source games slightly better.

But I still dual boot to XP for games :)

Also, screw using hacked disc images - installing off a retail disc with a vanilla kernel FTW!

What EFI emulator do you use?

I gave this game a go on my hackintosh, and found it to be kinda fun: http://www.wolfquest.org/ . It's educational too!

I've found Cedega runs steam source games slightly better.

That seems to be for linux not mac?

What EFI emulator do you use?

I believe the original generic one. I formatted the hidden partition within the GUID drive, installed the emulator there with some mobo kexts, and away it goes!

It was mostly a test of concept, but this system will eventually go to my GF, since she 'doesn't do windows'