Server 2008

[Infrared]

Just a quick note to say how pleased I am with Server 2008
on this Mac Pro. If you're considering adding another OS to
your mix, and you don't mind a bit of configuring, you might
give this one a look.

If you're not familiar with it, I would characterize it as a
stripped down, locked down, lean and mean version of Vista.

An example of what I mean by lean: there is no audio in the
default configuration :)

I have pretty much everything working (64 bit version, btw).
The Boot Camp drivers are sufficient for most of it. I got the
latest ATI Catalyst drivers off the net, and the last remaining
issue, missing bluetooth connectivity, was solved thanks to
this page:

http://www.gilkirkpatrick.com/Blog/post/Installing-the-Microsoft-Bluetooth-Stack-on-Windows-Server-2008.aspx

Here's a guide to setting up Server 2008 as a workstation OS:

http://blogs.msdn.com/vijaysk/archive/2008/02/11/using-windows-server-2008-as-a-super-desktop-os.aspx

Finally, I would recommend downloading the trial version before
doing anything drastic involving money. This OS is most definitely
not suited to everyone, and not all software that runs on Vista
can be installed on Server 2008.

You have been warned! ;)

[louden]

Sweet!

I use VMWare on my Mac Pro, and have several VM images of WS2008 running - mostly to do Sharepoint development.

I'm still running Vista on my MBP Bootcamp partition - and knowing it can run WS 2008 might be a good excuse to go out and get a new 500 GB hard drive.

[louden]

Just a quick note to say how pleased I am with Server 2008
on this Mac Pro. If you're considering adding another OS to
your mix, and you don't mind a bit of configuring, you might
give this one a look.

If you're not familiar with it, I would characterize it as a
stripped down, locked down, lean and mean version of Vista.

An example of what I mean by lean: there is no audio in the
default configuration :)

I have pretty much everything working (64 bit version, btw).
The Boot Camp drivers are sufficient for most of it. I got the
latest ATI Catalyst drivers off the net, and the last remaining
issue, missing bluetooth connectivity, was solved thanks to
this page:

http://www.gilkirkpatrick.com/Blog/post/Installing-the-Microsoft-Bluetooth-Stack-on-Windows-Server-2008.aspx

Here's a guide to setting up Server 2008 as a workstation OS:

http://blogs.msdn.com/vijaysk/archive/2008/02/11/using-windows-server-2008-as-a-super-desktop-os.aspx

Finally, I would recommend downloading the trial version before
doing anything drastic involving money. This OS is most definitely
not suited to everyone, and not all software that runs on Vista
can be installed on Server 2008.

You have been warned! ;)

Actually - is it only the Mac Pro that can officially run 64 bit Windows under bootcamp?

[ShadowXOR]

Actually - is it only the Mac Pro that can officially run 64 bit Windows under bootcamp?

I believe that is wrong...I think it depends on the processor and I'm pretty sure most of Apple's current gen stuff can do it.

[Infrared]

Sweet!

I use VMWare on my Mac Pro, and have several VM images of WS2008 running - mostly to do Sharepoint development.

I'm still running Vista on my MBP Bootcamp partition - and knowing it can run WS 2008 might be a good excuse to go out and get a new 500 GB hard drive.

One thing... if you do that be sure to hold down the Option key
rather than C to boot off the installer CD.

[Infrared]

Actually - is it only the Mac Pro that can officially run 64 bit Windows under bootcamp?

All I know is the 2008 Mac pros were the first machines
with 64-bit Windows drivers on the Leopard install DVD.

[EDIT]

I just found this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846

[louden]

All I know is the 2008 Mac pros were the first machines
with 64-bit Windows drivers on the Leopard install DVD.

[EDIT]

I just found this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846


Thanks for the post. Looks like I'll wait for the Nahalem upgrade before I use WS 2008 on my MBP.