Advise on getting a Mac just to test out web pages?

[georgecc]

Hi:
I'm considering buying a Mac for the sole purpose of testing out webpages in it for compatibility (ie: CSS, JavaScript etc). With that in mind, just wondering, what's a good system to get? Should I get a Mac with Panther or Tiger installed? How fast is fast enough? Ideally I want a machine that reflects the majority of Mac users today, and can at least handle one upgrade to the future most popular version of OSX (ie: if present is Panther, than Tiger in a few months).

Thanks!

 

[DavidLeblond]

Hi:
I'm considering buying a Mac for the sole purpose of testing out webpages in it for compatibility (ie: CSS, JavaScript etc). With that in mind, just wondering, what's a good system to get? Should I get a Mac with Panther or Tiger installed? How fast is fast enough? Ideally I want a machine that reflects the majority of Mac users today, and can at least handle one upgrade to the future most popular version of OSX (ie: if present is Panther, than Tiger in a few months).

Thanks!

Buy me a Quad G5 and I'll send you screen shots of what the websites look like, that way it will even cut down on your work!

If you want a new-ish one, go for a refurbed Mac Mini. That should be nice and cheap.

 

[jsw]

Agreed - go to store.apple.com and click on the red SAVE tag. Any Mac you can buy there will suit your purposes. An eMac might actually be your cheapest bet, all things considered, depending on what you already have in terms of monitor, etc.

 

[georgecc]

Buy me a Quad G5 and I'll send you screen shots of what the websites look like, that way it will even cut down on your work!

But would you work on weekends too though? If so, sign me up!

 

[GorillaPaws]

Get a mini and a kvm (keyboard, video, mouse) switch. hook it up to your curent setup so you can just leave 'em both running. Do your stuff on the pc, then flip the switch and check it out w/ safari on the mini. That's probably your best bet. Out of curiosity, you have 0 interest in using your mac for anything else? What about using iPhoto to manage your pics? or any of the other great iLife apps? I mean if you're going to get one, you might as well mess around w/ it a little bit at least, right?

 

[georgecc]

Get a mini and a kvm (keyboard, video, mouse) switch. hook it up to your curent setup so you can just leave 'em both running. Do your stuff on the pc, then flip the switch and check it out w/ safari on the mini. That's probably your best bet.

Thanks, that's a good idea actually. I'm a newbie when it comes to KVM switches- are there any security issues when connecting two PCs using it, similar to networking? Lets say I have two PCs hooked to a KVM, and one of the PCs gets a virus. There's no way that virus can migrate to the other PC by itself right (without some sort of user initiated interaction like copying files btw the two)? Also regarding degradation in performance, is that only experienced on the PC that's being remotely controlled, or do both PCs suffer?

Out of curiosity, you have 0 interest in using your mac for anything else?

Hmmm honestly I can't think of much. I'm so used to the Windows environment and existing software I use, I don't see using a Mac for anything other than testing things out on it.

 

[MacDawg]

Thanks, that's a good idea actually. I'm a newbie when it comes to KVM switches- are there any security issues when connecting two PCs using it, similar to networking? Lets say I have two PCs hooked to a KVM, and one of the PCs gets a virus. There's no way that virus can migrate to the other PC by itself right (without some sort of user initiated interaction like copying files btw the two)? Also regarding degradation in performance, is that only experienced on the PC that's being remotely controlled, or do both PCs suffer?



Hmmm honestly I can't think of much. I'm so used to the Windows environment and existing software I use, I don't see using a Mac for anything other than testing things out on it.

Fortunately, if you are using a Mac, you won't have a virus concern!

I think you will fall in love with your mini and Tiger before its all over.

Woof, Woof – Dawg

 

[Bear]

Get a Mac Mini. If it won't run on a mini, you probably have a bad design*.

Get the latest OS (Tiger). And get a machine with 512MB of ram.

*Bad design - too much java, java script, flash or some other crap you've pushed down to have the web browwser run.

 

[GorillaPaws]

are there any security issues when connecting two PCs using it, similar to networking? Lets say I have two PCs hooked to a KVM, and one of the PCs gets a virus. There's no way that virus can migrate to the other PC by itself right (without some sort of user initiated interaction like copying files btw the two)\

You are correct, there are no security issuse related to a KVM switch. All it's doing is allowing you to essentially plug in your keyboard, monitor and mouse to two computers simultaneously without having to physically unpulg and replug them in, so I can't see how this would create problems for you. As far as the mini goes, I think the small form factor would be a nice plus for your purposes (especially if you decide to go the KVM route). It'll pretty much stay out of your way. Anyways, best of luck with your purchase, and welcome to the mac world.

-Oh, and if by-chance you actually do use your mac for anything other than your stated reason, this community can be a great resource for any questions/issues you may have. There's a specific sub-forum for web-development here as well as great people who just like helping helping others out.

 

[pulsewidth947]

The cheapest way would be to use iCapture which generates a screenshot of what your site looks like on a Mac. There are other alternatives, some clever googling will find them for you.

But you really dont need a good Mac to do this, look at a second hand iMac or eMac and that'll sort you out.

 

[mduser63]

If you want a new Mac, get a Mac mini. However, you can probably find an oldish Power Mac G4 that will be cheaper. Of course it won't be as fast, but even the oldest Power Mac G4s can run Tiger, and they're fine for just previewing websites.

 

[hyperpasta]

Refurb Mac mini and KVM Switch.

As a bonus, it makes a nice test-out-a-Mac second computer, ready for second computer tasks.

A majority of Mac users use Panther, followed by Tiger. Jaguar is dissappearing fast. I'd guess the #1 Browser is Safari 1.x (Panther and Under), followed by Safari 2.x (Tiger).

 

[georgecc]

Cool, a refurb mac mini sounds like the best route. Does anyone know if I can still use Apple.com to make a purchase if I'm in Canada (and there' Apple.ca)? Only the former offers refurb goods.

 

[nichos]

I don't know how advanced your website is/will be, etc. But why not just follow standards by testing with a validation service: http://validator.w3.org/ If your site conforms to standards, and doesn't render fine in, ie, firefox, safari, acme browser, that's their problem and it will likely be fixed on a future release. Just a thought.

 

[peterparker]

Hi:
I'm considering buying a Mac for the sole purpose of testing out webpages in it for compatibility (ie: CSS, JavaScript etc). With that in mind, just wondering, what's a good system to get? Should I get a Mac with Panther or Tiger installed? How fast is fast enough? Ideally I want a machine that reflects the majority of Mac users today, and can at least handle one upgrade to the future most popular version of OSX (ie: if present is Panther, than Tiger in a few months).

Thanks!

Sounds very familiar. This is how I got hooked to Macs!