Changing to Mac. Problem?

**Bung** · 26-01-2008, 01:31 AM

I'm going to move over to a Mac. I am tired of having to deal with Microsofts constant updating and security issues for hours before I can get on with what I sat down to do. Vista sounds like a nightmare.

I don't see any problem doing it but I've read that you can't make it region free which is a bit of a problem and I use GPRS 1 to call data card in the pcmcia slot to get online so I will have to find another way.

i have a bluetooth phone and someone told me you can use your normal sim to transfer daa. Is this possible or will I have to change sims everytime?

Any members know of any other issues before I change?

**Deus Ex** · 26-01-2008, 01:34 AM

I'm no expert, so take this with a pinch of salt, but you can change the region on it up to 5 times, after that you're stuck with the one you chose last.

No games for it either.

**dirtydog** · 26-01-2008, 01:36 AM

Why not just go for a linux distro?

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-01-2008, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by Deus Ex

but you can change the region on it up to 5 times, after that you're stuck with the one you chose last.

This is true. At least until you download a code from the internet which lets you play any discs from any region.

Also, as DD said. Why don't you try Linux. I'm thinking about it.

**Bung** · 26-01-2008, 01:51 AM

Linux...distro....Is that an OS? Cures windows problems?? I'll look into it but I am not that good with computers.

I need to constantly change my dvd regions as I am all over the place. Have dvd region free software that works a treat.

The internet thing is going to be a pain. I use the gprs with some great British software called onspeed, makes it fast enough.

**Bung** · 26-01-2008, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

This is true. At least until you download a code from the internet which lets you play any discs from any region.

For new macs? I heard it is difficult with having to "flash" the drive?

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-01-2008, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Bung

For new macs?

Sorry. I've no idea as I only use PCs.

**dirtydog** · 26-01-2008, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by Bung

Linux...distro....Is that an OS? Cures windows problems??

here you go, everything you ever needed to know.
https://teakdoor.com/computer-news/15...dark-side.html (Linux Ubuntu going over to the dark side)

**buad hai** · 26-01-2008, 09:28 AM

If you use VLC to play DVD's you don't have to worry about regions. It bypasses the region code in the hardware.

**bongthom** · 26-01-2008, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Bung

region free

i've never had any issues with "regions" on my mac. had it for over 2 years and it plays everything.

Originally Posted by Bung

i have a bluetooth phone and someone told me you can use your normal sim to transfer daa. Is this possible or will I have to change sims everytime?

yup....all new macs come with bluetooth so you can connect to your phone sim automatically. the only reason you would have to change sim is if you use a second one for calls.

Originally Posted by Deus Ex

No games for it either.

Inside Mac Games

Macgamefiles.com: Free Mac Games Downloads

Apple - Games

**Bung** · 26-01-2008, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by bongthom

yup....all new macs come with bluetooth so you can connect to your phone sim automatically. the only reason you would have to change sim is if you use a second one for calls.

Do you know if you can make your 1-2 call phone sim also do data? I had to buy a seperate one but a mate reckons he does both on his phone sim. Maybe they can make it do both, that would be great for me as when i have to top up my data sim I have to put it into the phone.

I better go look what my mate does...

The VLC player is ok on new macs? pretty sure they only play 4 different regions before locking same as pc's. I read VLC works on older ones but nothing about newer ones.

**Wallalai** · 26-01-2008, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Originally Posted by Bung

Linux...distro....Is that an OS? Cures windows problems??

here you go, everything you ever needed to know.
https://teakdoor.com/computer-news/15...dark-side.html (Linux Ubuntu going over to the dark side)

Another alternative from the GNU/Linux world (beginners friendly).

Mandriva Linux One | Mandriva

**Tao** · 26-01-2008, 12:20 PM

Good post from Buadhai. VLC does indeed bypass region coding. My Macbook is from the UK but i've never had any problems playing all region coded discs.

**Tao** · 26-01-2008, 12:23 PM

Forgot to mention. I wouldn't bother "switching", keep a PC and get a Mac. You'll find a use for both but you'll end up using your Mac more. Guaranteed.

**bongthom** · 26-01-2008, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bung

Do you know if you can make your 1-2 call phone sim also do data?

yes, you can. i use bluetooth to connect when on the road.

Originally Posted by Bung

The VLC player is ok on new macs?

yup. vlc plays everything

**dirtydog** · 26-01-2008, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tao

but you'll end up using your Mac more. Guaranteed.

Yep, just ask memok, he spends hours each day on his Mac trying to get normal internet stuff to work

**bongthom** · 26-01-2008, 12:59 PM

^he is australian richard...

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-01-2008, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Wallalai

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Originally Posted by Bung

Linux...distro....Is that an OS? Cures windows problems??

here you go, everything you ever needed to know.
https://teakdoor.com/computer-news/15...dark-side.html (Linux Ubuntu going over to the dark side)

Another alternative from the GNU/Linux world (beginners friendly).

Mandriva Linux One | Mandriva

Right, fuck it.

I'm going to give it a go.

Gimp had better be as good as Photoshop, or Frankie is going to get his ass (backside, not donkey) whooped.

**Tao** · 26-01-2008, 01:15 PM

I've only had one problem with my Mac. It couldn't open the IPstar Webgateway as it needed Internet Explorer v. something or other. Microsoft stopped support of IE back at version blah blah blah. I had to dig out my old laptop to fuck with it.

Personally, i'd recommend a Mac to anyone with a wife or a girlfriend. They are much easier to use (for females) and you don't have to clean all the spyware and malware off em every other week.

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-01-2008, 01:21 PM

On second thoughts, seeing as all my HDs are NTFS, it looks like I won't be giving it a go.

**Tao** · 26-01-2008, 01:39 PM

How many HD's have you got? Surely not too hard to back everything up and reformat?

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-01-2008, 02:35 PM

I could buy a new 500GB HD or I could reformat the system drive, as I keep the system drive separate from the data drives, but then I would lose XP.

I can still read the data drives using a utility, so that's not a big problem.

**Tao** · 26-01-2008, 02:42 PM

A decent Mac Pro (i admit rather expensive) running Parallel Desktop would give you the best of both worlds. The guys at the shop installed parallels for free when i got the wife an iMac in Bangkok last year, i don't have a need for it on my Macbook though.

**Wallalai** · 26-01-2008, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Right, fuck it. I'm going to give it a go. Gimp had better be as good as Photoshop, or Frankie is going to get his ass (backside, not donkey) whooped.

As most of the Linux distros are available as LiveCD, just burn one and try it to check the compatibility of your hardware.

It could happen that you like it and you'll eventually do the switch. You can keep your NTFS partitions and a working WinXP and install a GNU/Linux on another HD. Dualboot works great, and now NTFS partitions are read/write accessible from Linux.

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-01-2008, 03:47 PM

I'll get round to buying a new HD one day. In the meantime I'll DL that Mandriver and check it out.

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