Tips to installing XP MCE (3 discs) on a Mac with VMWare

Tip #1 - Do not use the easy installation option, you must do it manually.

Tip #2 - Re-insert Disc 1 after Disc 2 finishes installing.

Tip #3 - Install VMWare tools

Tip #4 - To access your Mac Files on your virtual Windows machine

• Click the '+' under settings and add shared folder
• Enable it and name it what you want
  
• Double click the VMWare icon near the time display on your windows machine
• Follow instructions under the Sharing Tab
  

It Came!

My MacBook Pro finally came...it was so easy to set up and it only took 15 minutes to get everything up and running...so, so far so good...It thin and light and looks great! XP MCE isn't arriving until Tuesday...

Laptop Purchase...

I bought it! The MAC...

• 2.4 GHz Processor
• 200 GB Hard Drive
• 2 GB RAM
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre Edition
• 16 GB Ipod Touch
• Canon Printer iP4500

I spent about $3000 (after taxes) in one night...eeks...but I'll be getting $99.95 + $319 back from rebates.

I still have to get CS3 and AutoCAD from the bookstore this weekend....I'm so excited...

MacBook Pro Option

Option #1 - $1899.00

• 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo with 3 MB Cache
• 2GB RAM
• 200 GB Hard Drive
• 256 MB Graphics Card

Option #2 - $2399.00

• 2.5 GHz Core 2 Duo with 6 MB Cache
• 2GB RAM
• 250 GB Hard Drive
• 512 MB Graphics Card

The Difference?

• Is the difference worth the $500? I see the use in the improvements in the processor and graphics card. The difference between the hard drives does not concern me, since the difference is merely capacity and I have a 500 GB external hard drive. The problem with the processor is that it can not be upgraded. I know that first hand, no matter how many GBs of RAM you put into your computer, the bottle neck will be the processor. That is the problem with the laptop I have right now...

Benefits of a Mac (This is what I've heard or seen)

• 'Free' 8 GB Ipod Touch - must pay taxes but still a $279 value
• Immune (or almost immune) to viruses and spyware
• Fewer (no) freezes
• Built to last (my friend drop his macbook out of his back pack and it crashed onto the sidewalk but survived)
• Well designed and easy to use
• What most ED students have

Disadvantages of a Mac

• Expensive - in a spec by spec comparison, it is the most expensive
• Unable to run AutoCAD - requires the use of Bootcamp and buying a windows OS - which exposes it to 'threats' and is an added cost of $150 to get Vista Basic (Windows stopped selling XP)
• No Card Reader - We take a lot of Pictures!
• Never used one before - can take some time to get used to
• Possible compatability issues?