I pulled down Parallels Workstation and gave it a whirl. I DLed a couple Live Linux CDs and booted the VM from them.
I'm not a Linux weenie, but it seemed to mostly work. I couldn't get X running, or go to full screen mode (I'm running dual monitors and it complained about the resolution not being supported). I had one issue where the input went to the VM and I couldn't get it back, ended up rebooting (the horror!).
I will probably "borrow" a Windows disc from work in the next few weeks and see what happens.
Now I have a good excuse to get some Mac minis in our lab.
Is it true that intel's hardware VT tech is enabled on the imac and macbook pro but not the mac mini?
that would be a deal-breaker for me with the mini..
Yes, at least that is case with my mini. I got that message on my mini this morning. You have to use software virtualazation on the mini. Total bummer.
Yes, at least that is case with my mini. I got that message on my mini this morning. You have to use software virtualazation on the mini. Total bummer.
I posted this in my YellowBox thread but it really belongs here too...
I'll snip my rant about the possibility (hopefully unfounded) that Apple was pulling an ultra nasty move of intentionally disabling VT-X on the mini Core Duo for no other reason than to keep certain people away from the mini and steer them to the iMac or Mac Book Pro. Well so much for snip...
Anyway, perhaps we have a glimmer of hope (found on the Parallels support forum) written by daveschroeder someone NOT connected Parallels (so who knows..) but all the same when this all shakes out then I hope I was wrong about Apple being 'ultra-nasty' purely for marking reasons. I'm not happy about built in graphics but I can understand the cost savings but crippling a chip just to 'do it' - that would be going too far - anyway as you'll see below all might not be lost after all.
Quote:
I've just been talking with an engineer at Apple, and the thinking right now is that it is unintentional and is a bug. I have passed his contact information on to the Parallels team.
Yeah seriously, if they purposfully disabled hardware virtualization on the mini, I'm pissed off!
Interesting developments... After reading some of todays followup posts one or more people with mini's are reporting that VT-x is indeed working and now the speculation might be centered around 'older minis' vs. 'newer minis' someone posted a test (needs to be compiled) that will verify if your mini has VT-x enabled or not.
yes, from what i've read on their forums, cpu-wise tasks are running about 90% of native speed, which is quite good even compared to virtual pc on windows...
the main area where performance is lost is in video as video is controlled by MacOS X and there are issues with the software properly utilizing it, which Parallels has said they will fix in their next major release..
all in all, it looks very promising and it seems like they should get the mini problems worked out pretty quickly
yes, from what i've read on their forums, cpu-wise tasks are running about 90% of native speed, which is quite good even compared to virtual pc on windows...
the main area where performance is lost is in video as video is controlled by MacOS X and there are issues with the software properly utilizing it, which Parallels has said they will fix in their next major release..
all in all, it looks very promising and it seems like they should get the mini problems worked out pretty quickly
I do a lot of AutoCad at work but the good thing it is not graphically intensive. 90% is freekn awesome as I have VPC and it is borderline/sucky for use on vacation if an emergency comes up and a drawing is needed.
I can't wait to get to work on Monday and d/l the new beta and give it another shot.
I pulled down Parallels Workstation and gave it a whirl. I DLed a couple Live Linux CDs and booted the VM from them.
I'm not a Linux weenie, but it seemed to mostly work. I couldn't get X running, or go to full screen mode (I'm running dual monitors and it complained about the resolution not being supported). I had one issue where the input went to the VM and I couldn't get it back, ended up rebooting (the horror!).
I will probably "borrow" a Windows disc from work in the next few weeks and see what happens.
Now I have a good excuse to get some Mac minis in our lab.
- Jasen.
I downloaded last night and got Win 2000 installed in about 25 minutes. Was up till 4am this morning testing it out. I also own VMware for the PC. Parallel on the iMac is much faster than VMware on the PC.
What is really sad is that IE is 3 to 6 times faster loading web pages. Not a big deal if you were running on a stand alone PC, but this is a VM machine running on a Mac!
Here are some examples:
Loading the Appleinsider page:
Safari 29.23 Seconds
IE 5.25 Seconds
Apple start page
Safari 15.3 Seconds
IE 2.4 Seconds
dpreview.com
Safari 19.3 Seconds
IE 5.5 Seconds
Apple needs to tune up Safari
The only bumps in the road so far are 2 grey screens of death. One came when I opened OSXvnc, and the other was opening CyTV with Parallel running. So not sure what those apps did that caused that to happen.
But what is really exciting is that I can run my Real Estate MLS programs on the Mac. No more using the PC or VNCing into a PC.
Also the installation was very easy. Parallel recognized the install CD in the CD ROM drive, booted the CD and the install was flaw less. you can also use and ISO file which I didn't test.
All in all, this is a great alternative to VMware or Bootcamp. To be fair, sound isn't working yet, and not sure about USB, but can log into samba network drives! Cool!
There must be something wrong with your Safari. I'm on 1.33 GHz PB 12" and dpreview.com opened for me in about 3 seconds. Apple.com took around 5 seconds.
There must be something wrong with your Safari. I'm on 1.33 GHz PB 12" and dpreview.com opened for me in about 3 seconds. Apple.com took around 5 seconds.
Yeah, I just tried Apple.com from an older Digital Audio. It finished in 3 seconds. I can't imagine what his problem is. My service is 6Mb/s, but he shouldn't need that speed for a faster download on either system.
There must be something wrong with your Safari. I'm on 1.33 GHz PB 12" and dpreview.com opened for me in about 3 seconds. Apple.com took around 5 seconds.
Thanks K Squared,
Not sure what the difference might be. My 20" Dual 2.0 GIG iMac pretty much stock with out any additions other than memory increase to 1.5GB.
I there any way to speed safari up? IE in the Parallels VM is very fast, while safari is so pokey. I did notice last week at my local Apple store that Safari was very fast on MacBook Pro. I thought that they must have the pages cached or something! I'm not getting that speed at home.
I wouldn't think much of it if IE was on a PC and Safari on a Mac. But when it tested this, both programs are on the same system running at the same time. Parallels takes very little CPU time, so can't say that it is impacting the performance of Safari at all.
So anything to look for that might be slowing my safari down?
It might be your cache, surprisingly , or any cached favicons, or other material that can be slowing safari down. If you find safari is going slow, try resetting it. Safari>>Reset Safari. You will lose any autofills/passwords/etc.. but I think it is worth it if a virtualised IE runs faster than it.
Comments
Originally posted by aplnub
I may bring my Intel Mac home from work this weekend and give it a try. If this works, I am stoked! I will order me a new MBP and iMac immediately.
I wish I was rich!
I have an iMac, I would love a MacBook Pro too.
I'm not a Linux weenie, but it seemed to mostly work. I couldn't get X running, or go to full screen mode (I'm running dual monitors and it complained about the resolution not being supported). I had one issue where the input went to the VM and I couldn't get it back, ended up rebooting (the horror!).
I will probably "borrow" a Windows disc from work in the next few weeks and see what happens.
Now I have a good excuse to get some Mac minis in our lab.
- Jasen.
that would be a deal-breaker for me with the mini..
Originally posted by cj171
Is it true that intel's hardware VT tech is enabled on the imac and macbook pro but not the mac mini?
that would be a deal-breaker for me with the mini..
Yes, at least that is case with my mini. I got that message on my mini this morning. You have to use software virtualazation on the mini. Total bummer.
Originally posted by aplnub
Yes, at least that is case with my mini. I got that message on my mini this morning. You have to use software virtualazation on the mini. Total bummer.
I posted this in my YellowBox thread but it really belongs here too...
I'll snip my rant about the possibility (hopefully unfounded) that Apple was pulling an ultra nasty move of intentionally disabling VT-X on the mini Core Duo for no other reason than to keep certain people away from the mini and steer them to the iMac or Mac Book Pro. Well so much for snip...
Anyway, perhaps we have a glimmer of hope (found on the Parallels support forum) written by daveschroeder someone NOT connected Parallels (so who knows..) but all the same when this all shakes out then I hope I was wrong about Apple being 'ultra-nasty' purely for marking reasons. I'm not happy about built in graphics but I can understand the cost savings but crippling a chip just to 'do it' - that would be going too far - anyway as you'll see below all might not be lost after all.
I've just been talking with an engineer at Apple, and the thinking right now is that it is unintentional and is a bug. I have passed his contact information on to the Parallels team.
Linky: http://forum.parallels.com/thread85.html
Fingers crossed...
Dave
Originally posted by Gene Clean
Yeah seriously, if they purposfully disabled hardware virtualization on the mini, I'm pissed off!
Interesting developments... After reading some of todays followup posts one or more people with mini's are reporting that VT-x is indeed working and now the speculation might be centered around 'older minis' vs. 'newer minis' someone posted a test (needs to be compiled) that will verify if your mini has VT-x enabled or not.
Hey a mini might be in my future after all!
Dave
Originally posted by cj171
is it people with older or newer ones that are getting it to work?
I think the thought now is it could be a problem with Parallel's software? After the new Beta d/l some are not getting the error anymore.
Anyone know how fast Windows is running inside the mac this way with hardware support?
the main area where performance is lost is in video as video is controlled by MacOS X and there are issues with the software properly utilizing it, which Parallels has said they will fix in their next major release..
all in all, it looks very promising and it seems like they should get the mini problems worked out pretty quickly
Originally posted by cj171
yes, from what i've read on their forums, cpu-wise tasks are running about 90% of native speed, which is quite good even compared to virtual pc on windows...
the main area where performance is lost is in video as video is controlled by MacOS X and there are issues with the software properly utilizing it, which Parallels has said they will fix in their next major release..
all in all, it looks very promising and it seems like they should get the mini problems worked out pretty quickly
I do a lot of AutoCad at work but the good thing it is not graphically intensive. 90% is freekn awesome as I have VPC and it is borderline/sucky for use on vacation if an emergency comes up and a drawing is needed.
I can't wait to get to work on Monday and d/l the new beta and give it another shot.
Originally posted by jasenj1
I pulled down Parallels Workstation and gave it a whirl. I DLed a couple Live Linux CDs and booted the VM from them.
I'm not a Linux weenie, but it seemed to mostly work. I couldn't get X running, or go to full screen mode (I'm running dual monitors and it complained about the resolution not being supported). I had one issue where the input went to the VM and I couldn't get it back, ended up rebooting (the horror!).
I will probably "borrow" a Windows disc from work in the next few weeks and see what happens.
Now I have a good excuse to get some Mac minis in our lab.
- Jasen.
I downloaded last night and got Win 2000 installed in about 25 minutes. Was up till 4am this morning testing it out. I also own VMware for the PC. Parallel on the iMac is much faster than VMware on the PC.
What is really sad is that IE is 3 to 6 times faster loading web pages. Not a big deal if you were running on a stand alone PC, but this is a VM machine running on a Mac!
Here are some examples:
Loading the Appleinsider page:
Safari 29.23 Seconds
IE 5.25 Seconds
Apple start page
Safari 15.3 Seconds
IE 2.4 Seconds
dpreview.com
Safari 19.3 Seconds
IE 5.5 Seconds
Apple needs to tune up Safari
The only bumps in the road so far are 2 grey screens of death. One came when I opened OSXvnc, and the other was opening CyTV with Parallel running. So not sure what those apps did that caused that to happen.
But what is really exciting is that I can run my Real Estate MLS programs on the Mac. No more using the PC or VNCing into a PC.
Also the installation was very easy. Parallel recognized the install CD in the CD ROM drive, booted the CD and the install was flaw less. you can also use and ISO file which I didn't test.
All in all, this is a great alternative to VMware or Bootcamp. To be fair, sound isn't working yet, and not sure about USB, but can log into samba network drives! Cool!
-Scott
Originally posted by scott_r
Apple needs to tune up Safari
There must be something wrong with your Safari. I'm on 1.33 GHz PB 12" and dpreview.com opened for me in about 3 seconds. Apple.com took around 5 seconds.
Originally posted by k squared
There must be something wrong with your Safari. I'm on 1.33 GHz PB 12" and dpreview.com opened for me in about 3 seconds. Apple.com took around 5 seconds.
Yeah, I just tried Apple.com from an older Digital Audio. It finished in 3 seconds. I can't imagine what his problem is. My service is 6Mb/s, but he shouldn't need that speed for a faster download on either system.
Originally posted by k squared
There must be something wrong with your Safari. I'm on 1.33 GHz PB 12" and dpreview.com opened for me in about 3 seconds. Apple.com took around 5 seconds.
Thanks K Squared,
Not sure what the difference might be. My 20" Dual 2.0 GIG iMac pretty much stock with out any additions other than memory increase to 1.5GB.
I there any way to speed safari up? IE in the Parallels VM is very fast, while safari is so pokey. I did notice last week at my local Apple store that Safari was very fast on MacBook Pro. I thought that they must have the pages cached or something! I'm not getting that speed at home.
I wouldn't think much of it if IE was on a PC and Safari on a Mac. But when it tested this, both programs are on the same system running at the same time. Parallels takes very little CPU time, so can't say that it is impacting the performance of Safari at all.
So anything to look for that might be slowing my safari down?
-Scott
Just my 2¢
- Noah