Re: Mac vs. PC choice for college.
From: David Bélanger (dbelan2_at_cs.mcgill.ca)
Date: 08/23/03
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- In reply to: Orhan Ayasli: "Mac vs. PC choice for college."
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Date: 22 Aug 2003 18:19:19 -0700
"Orhan Ayasli" <orhan@rcn.com> wrote in message news:<bgrghg$5fs$1@bob.news.rcn.net>...
> I am a freshman CS major and I am looking for a computer to buy before going
> to college. I've narrowed it down to these two notebook computers:
>
> 17" powerbook 1ghz
> 14.1" IBM t40
I decided to buy a iBook as my laptop as I already had an x86-PC.
Also PowerPC processors are designed for low power usage. The battery
life is 3.5 hours for *intensive* use of my iBook. Also, I was
curious of playing/studying Mac OS X.
> I can't decide which computer to get, so I have decided to compare operating
> systems. My problem is, I love Linux, and I believe that the future of any
> computer scientist will revolve around Linux.
> Therefore, I want a laptop
> that will be most compatible with linux.
Linux runs fine on ppc laptops. Although there are less users, the
hardware is more standardize (i.e. there are not too many different
models of iBook / Powerbook). On the iBook, everything works,
including the sound, wireless, software modem. Note: A lot of my
friends have Thinkpads, so with these laptops, Linux should run fine
also.
Note that there are not too many companies that supports Linux/ppc.
Most commercial software, if there is a Linux version, will be
Linux/x86 only. Most software requires only a recompilation but most
companies will not recompile it for Linux/ppc.
> On a PC, I know that I have a
> dual-boot with XP and almost any linux distribution.
> I don't know how it
> works for a mac though. Can I have a dual-boot with OS X and Linux?
Yes. Actually you can run them at the same time with Mac-on-Linux.
> Or what
> about a triple boot with XP, OS X, and Linux?
XP works only on x86, so you need an x86 hardware emulator. With an
x86 emulator and Mac-on-Linux, you can run Linux, Mac OS X and XP at
the same time.
> Or do I have to stick with
> Linux and XP emulators? OR, is the Unix backbone of OS X enough to give me a
> platform for developing Unix apps.
Mac OS X is a Unix-like system. So, yes you can develop Unix
applications.
> (I know, Linux is not Unix). Can you guys
> explain this to me? Thanks alot, I appreciate anyone who answers.
>
Note: In your message you mention XP several times. If you intend to
use XP regularly with Linux then you should go for x86 laptop.
If you want to use XP, OS X and Linux but XP not often and not for
games etc., then you should go for the iBook. PowerPCs emulators are
rare, but they are several open source x86 emulators.
David
- Next message: David Bélanger: "Re: What version of Linux to use? [LONG]"
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- In reply to: Orhan Ayasli: "Mac vs. PC choice for college."
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