Not really iPhone development related, but with Parallels is it actually running Windows XP natively? ie. not in a virtual machine? Is it fast enough to run commercial PC games with it? I'm not talking about the latest stuff. Something like Portal, Half Life 2, or any of the current MMOs (which dont require gaming PCs usually)?
Edit: I should point out that I'm very familiar with Macs and OS X, but unfortunately not the Intel versions. So back when I used to use them the only way to run a Windows OS was in a virtual machine -- which wasn't really any good for PC games other than say something simple and low spec like Solitaire.
Being a VMware Fusion user now for 9 months and also tried virtualbox before intenasively, i think i can answer that. I also tested parralells. All of them a virtualizing xp. The only way to use xp natively is by using bootcamp.
Virtualbox has the best support for opengl imho. Vmware support dx9 to a certain extend, i installed GlDirect to get nice opengl performance.
Games in general are a big problem as these virtualizers dont work with the protection system these games have. You need to do some illegal stuff to work around it. And then it isn't sure if the game runs, graphically i mean.
Virtualizers are great for cross dev but for gamiing not so good.
Funny thing i noticed that my FlStudio runs better in Vmware than natively in xp.
Hmm so bootcamp is running XP natively then? Just looking at the official info now. Does that mean full Direct X etc. as well then? I guess I should read the FAQ.
Edit: Well on the Mount and Blade forums there are people playing it on Macs using Bootcamp so I guess it does work (although I suspect it's better if you get a Mac that uses Nvidia -- not a fan of ATI). Hmm now to research the other game I play. Yup, can run LOTRO as well, although according to one guy it runs better using Parallel which I thought was odd. Means I'll be buying a higher end Mac than I originally intended, but will be worth it if I can make the complete switch. Only really have space for one computer here.
On Windows use Sandboxie
http://www.sandboxie.com/
Quote from: Hatonastick on 2009-Aug-17
Hmm so bootcamp is running XP natively then? Just looking at the official info now. Does that mean full Direct X etc. as well then? I guess I should read the FAQ.
Edit: Well on the Mount and Blade forums there are people playing it on Macs using Bootcamp so I guess it does work (although I suspect it's better if you get a Mac that uses Nvidia -- not a fan of ATI). Hmm now to research the other game I play. Yup, can run LOTRO as well, although according to one guy it runs better using Parallel which I thought was odd. Means I'll be buying a higher end Mac than I originally intended, but will be worth it if I can make the complete switch. Only really have space for one computer here.
Yes for games it is better. Like I said, the copy protection mos tlikely won't work under a virtualization. Bootcamp is included now with all new macs. You still need to buy a XP or VISTA license for it. Be aware, that if you install XP/VISTA on bootcamp and activate it, then you also need to activate it under a virtualization if you run that too. With an OEM version this is a no no then.
Quote from: 9940 on 2009-Aug-17
On Windows use Sandboxie
http://www.sandboxie.com/
Uhm, unless I'm not mistaken then Sandboxie is no good here (afaik). The completely wrong tool for the job.
Thanks for all the replies guys but I think I'm going to be forced to change direction. I don't really have room enough for two computers but I think I may have to make room. To get a Mac that does what I've been talking about here is going to cost way more money than I can afford, so will be looking at a lower end Mac Mini, probably second hand. I doubt that would have the grunt to replace my PC as far as Windows games go (no matter what Apple advertising says). Hmm or I might be wrong. We shall see anyway. Thanks again for all your help. I'll probably post questions again once I've finally got my hands on one. :)
Anybody know what the absolute minimum spec and OS I would require to compile GLBasic games for iPod/iPhone? Cheapskate here, plus I don't need a mac for anything else.
Well from my research and my conversation with Madgarden on RR, the Mac Mini does the job. He suggests trying to pick one up second hand, but even brand new they aren't that expensive -- they appear to be the cheapest Mac option (at least over this side of the puddle). That's what he used to make Saucerlifter for the iPod/iPhone.
Yes, the Intel Mini Mac will do the job just fine. I would make sure you run OSX 10.5 on it, I would not bet money on a lower version of OSX, that it works nicely with XCode 3.1
Cheers chaps :)
Just bought a dusty intel based iMac G5 off ebay, hopefully this will do the job...
This is an interesting read for those wanting to use VMware or Parallels to get XP+GLB up and running and can't decide, like me... :P
http://www.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.25/25.04/VMBenchmarks/index.html
Are you 100% sure that the G5 has an INTEL CPU? To my knowledge they are using PPC's.
Edit: OK, if it was build in 2006, then it has an INTEL.
Well I asked the guy and apple did sell 2.00 gig core due for a while with the G5 tag... so here's hoping :sick:, if not, then I'll just re-list it.
Any has bypassed the problem with virtual machines and opengl support?
I?m running glbasic on a leopard with vmware fusion 2.0.5 and WinXP and it hasn?t opengl support.
I?ve tried to install scitech gldirect 5.0.2 for bringing opengl emulation but seems is not beeing detected by glbasic.
Any solution? Is not funny to debug with crappy graphics :(
I haven?t tried with Parallels 4.0 but it seems to support opengl natively.
Anyone has tried?
I've been using Parallels now for a while and its opengl is acceptable. Its not as fast a real machine but certainly acceptable for dev and debugging.