Windows on an Power/I-book

[j_s]

I'm looking at getting a laptop for live use, but the occassional instability problems I've had with Windows & PCs has made me consider a Mac. However I do quite like using Windows when its working and I think I'd miss the huge amount of software available for it, so I was wondering if trying to run a Windows emulator on an I-Book or Powerbook would be worthwhile....

[g]

worthwhile in that you'll be able to run window$ and some apps, sure. it'll be clunky as hell and slow but you can do it.

worthwhile in that you'll be able to do x86 app audio work, no way. audio is way too demanding for emulation. the mac will slow to a crawl.

[j_s]

Bugger. Thats what I was fearing.
Now I've got a bit of a dilemma on my hands.

Maybe I should just stop being unnecesarily paranoid about onstage crashes and get a Windows based machine...

[g]

i don't think it can be called unnecessary when windows is in question, but it's certainly true that XP is pretty stable and that lots of people use it on stage.

you can use a separate install of xp for audio/performance as well. strip out all the window$ cruft. see
http://www.musicxp.net/ (this is good in general)
and
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm (more hardcore)

you can also make XP run under a custom shell for any applicable app. see:
http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9809
of course this was written specifically for Live, but it should apply to anything. keep in mind it could effect audio card drivers.

all that being said, yep, i think it's still safe to say the mac will be more reliable, but that's because it's what i have at the moment. ;) windows machines are used on stage all the time tho so don't sweat it... you just have to be a little more aware of the system issues and give the machine more TLC than you would a mac.

[MangaFish]

as long as you keep your music data files on a seperate partition then if windows fuks up you shouldnt loose your files.

plus regular back ups of course ;)

[Tyrisia]

if only there was decent linux software.. :roll:

[j_s]

i don't think it can be called unnecessary when windows is in question, but it's certainly true that XP is pretty stable and that lots of people use it on stage.

you can use a separate install of xp for audio/performance as well. strip out all the window$ cruft. see
http://www.musicxp.net/ (this is good in general)
and
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm (more hardcore)

you can also make XP run under a custom shell for any applicable app. see:
http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9809
of course this was written specifically for Live, but it should apply to anything. keep in mind it could effect audio card drivers.

all that being said, yep, i think it's still safe to say the mac will be more reliable, but that's because it's what i have at the moment. ;) windows machines are used on stage all the time tho so don't sweat it... you just have to be a little more aware of the system issues and give the machine more TLC than you would a mac.

Cheers for that. Being to run an app as a shell sounds quite useful as I only really plan to use the machine for one thing. In the past I think a lot of my problems with Windows have been more down to lack of care than anything else, so maybe I can avoid too man problems if I keep things as clear of crap as possible.

[jake]

macs have virtual pc.. works good for apps that arent too intensive.. but not for audio or games..