Boot an Intel Mac to Windows

[phenixdragon]

http://news.com.com/Apple+XP+on+a+Ma...l?tag=nefd.top

Pretty cool if support works well on a Mini Mac. Too bad it doesn't support Media Center Edition but I think Vista should be fine at some point. But a Mini could make a nice client along with supporting some HDD space since you can't buy a diskless Mac.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by phenixdragon

http://news.com.com/Apple+XP+on+a+Ma...l?tag=nefd.top

Pretty cool if support works well on a Mini Mac. Too bad it doesn't support Media Center Edition but I think Vista should be fine at some point. But a Mini could make a nice client along with supporting some HDD space since you can't buy a diskless Mac.

Why bother-take a look at this:

Aopen MP-945-VX

The new MP945-VX MiniPC has a 6” by 6” footprint and weighs less than five pounds. A motherboard design houses a CPU socket for Core Duo, Intel 945GM core logic, DDR2-SODIMM memory banks and a mini-PCI expansion slot. The AOpen MiniPC also includes a built-in component, S-Video, composite out port as well as 5.1 channel audio.

The MP945-VX features Gigabit Ethernet, DVI, Firewire and USB 2.0. A SATA riser allows the 2.5” hard drive and slot-loading DVD burner to easily detach and reattach to the motherboard.

The Perfect Sage client

Gerry

[jlindborg]

Yeah, I was looking at that, too - but I went with one of their lower end Shuttle knock offs instead since I'm not convinced that mini can handle HD content smoothly and I wanted the option to toss in a PCI Express video card up to the task... maybe someone will jump on one of these and tell us if it can handle it. That'd be pretty smooth...

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by jlindborg

Yeah, I was looking at that, too - but I went with one of their lower end Shuttle knock offs instead since I'm not convinced that mini can handle HD content smoothly and I wanted the option to toss in a PCI Express video card up to the task... maybe someone will jump on one of these and tell us if it can handle it. That'd be pretty smooth...

That is NOT the same as the MP-915 You were probably looking at this:
MP-915B

The 2.8 pound PC features a front panel backlit power button, a slot loading combo DVD drive, two rear USB ports, one Firewire connector, S-Video/DVI video outputs, 10/100 Ethernet port, speaker/mic jacks, Pentium M 740 processor (or Celeron M), a single slot for DDR2 memory, and a choice of a 40 or 80GB hard drive.

This uses Intels 915 chipset and no way would the video drive HD. But the one I posted above is totally different and not yet available. It also meets all of Intel VIIX specs.

Gerry

[mikejaner]

I think that the Aopen MP-945-VX is ugly. What were they thinking with that plastic panel on the top. Also it is starting at $899 with a Core Duo. The Apple Mini is starting at $799 with a Core Duo. I am pretty sure both have the same chipset,video, etc... and with support for booting windows officially from Apple, you can't go wrong. I am pretty sure these puppies can handle HD, at the very least with Overlay, since that takes mostly processor.

Mike

[gplasky]

I've seen better. Supposedly those plastic panels are swappable for different colored panels. So you can have a multitude of color ugliness. The rest of the case is actually brushed aluminum, not plastic. Specs between them are almost identical and it looks like they use the same 945GM core logic chipset. My only concern on the Mac is that it doesn't have a traditional BIOS hence all the work to get it to boot Windows and special drivers provided by Apple and Apple is not going to support Windows on the Mac.

Gerry

[stevech]

$700 ouch

[evilpenguin]

They also released a full featured bios support with Boot Camp so no need to worry

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/...05144257.shtml

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by stevech

$700 ouch

Don't know what the MP-945 will go for barebones but you can get the MP-915 barebones for $250. Just throw in a processor, memory and hard drive.

Gerry

[mikejaner]

Yeah, Apple does support it now
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

[mikejaner]

Don't know what the MP-945 will go for barebones but you can get the MP-915 barebones for $250. Just throw in a processor, memory and hard drive.

I priced it out. With the $250 for the system plus processor, memory, DVD Burner, etc... your looking at close to or over $700, and you don't get a Core Duo. Only the newer UGLY one supports Core Duo.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

I priced it out. With the $250 for the system plus processor, memory, DVD Burner, etc... your looking at close to or over $700, and you don't get a Core Duo. Only the newer UGLY one supports Core Duo.

Yeah-what's funny is they're building these out of laptop components. Well I can buy a laptop for $800 bucks now and that also gives me a 14" LCD, keyboard and a pointing device. Go figure.

Gerry

[mayamaniac]

Probably can't get a core duo laptop for $800 though, at least not brand new or with the power of these minis. I think the mac mini is probably the best deal since you can now easily run XP and SageTV on it. Plus I would trust Apple use better parts more than AOpen.

[jlindborg]

So - when is someone here going to man-up, get a Mac Mini and tell us how it flies with Sage pushing HD? I'm all tapped out for a while after my last client adventure...

c'mon. You know you want one...

[evilpenguin]

The only thing stopping me from buying one this weekend is the fact I gave up buying electronics for lent

Now once Easter is over, all bets are off...

[mattsm]

Has anyone tried SageTV on a mac mini yet? Anyone tried 1080p content?

[mayamaniac]

The only uncertain thing about the mac mini is the performance of the intel integrated video card, otherwise, I'm pretty positive it can handle anything you throw at it. We know the integrated video card isn't ideal for demanding multimedia, but the core duo might make up for whatever its lacking. I'll also wait for a proper review of SageTV on the mac mini. Eventually, someone who owns an intel mac mini will try it.

[phenixdragon]

Mini is cheaper then the Aopen once you stack up the specs, but I think that was already said.

Buuuutttt.....we all know Front Row is going to have a TV upgrade at some point and the mini is just the starting point. I would expect to see it out at some point this year and I am sure the Intel graphics will handle it fine.

[bcjenkins]

The Mac Mini also has built in IR. I did not see that on AOPEN's specs. I just installed XP on my MBP last night, not sure if the IR is supported. It would need a different remote for sure. Not too much time. I am excited to finally be able to kick the tires on placeshifting when I am on travel for work.

B

[evilpenguin]

The internal IR isn't and prolly won't be supported(officially), but plugging in an MCE remote reciever is

(In Windows that is)