Looking to buy a Pro, and need advice for games?

[Treeman574]

I don't really use games on my imac but i do know a few things about bootcamp. Basically when you get your computer there are two options if you want to install windows. Parallel or Reboot(don't know the actual name)

Reboot version: When you get your computer it will ask if you want to partition your hard drive so that a set number of gb are dedicated to running a separate version of windows. (I personally use xp.) This method is fairly straight forward and as far as I know better for protecting your mac from windows based viruses.

Parallel version: This version I have not used myself but have some understanding of how it works. Instead of having to reboot your mac and run a full windows os, you can simply open windows files and applications in mac osx with some sort of work around. This seems to be complicated to set up and could cause more risk of windows viruses.

 

[Erasmus]

I don't really use games on my imac but i do know a few things about bootcamp. Basically when you get your computer there are two options if you want to install windows. Parallel or Reboot(don't know the actual name)

Reboot version: When you get your computer it will ask if you want to partition your hard drive so that a set number of gb are dedicated to running a separate version of windows. (I personally use xp.) This method is fairly straight forward and as far as I know better for protecting your mac from windows based viruses.

Parallel version: This version I have not used myself but have some understanding of how it works. Instead of having to reboot your mac and run a full windows os, you can simply open windows files and applications in mac osx with some sort of work around. This seems to be complicated to set up and could cause more risk of windows viruses.

Your "Reboot" version IS Boot Camp. There is only one version of Boot Camp, and Boot Camp is free. You partition your hard disk using an Apple made utility, and install Windows. That's it. To switch from one to the other requires rebooting.

Parallels is a third party application that allows you to run Windows using a virtual machine inside OS X. Parallels is software you have to buy, and is completely different, and independent, to Boot Camp. Fusion is another product that does the same thing.

 

[The5thElephant]

I'm running Windows 7 on a 100GB bootcamp partition on my 17 in. i7 with 8GB RAM from April 2010.

I can run any Source engine game (CSS, TF2, HL2, L4D2, etc.) at 1920x1200 with full graphics at high FPS. It really runs beautifully.

Mass Effect 2 played at full graphics at 1680x1050 fairly well with a little slowdown here and there.

Crysis will definitely run, but not at highest settings. You will have to play at medium/high settings.

I am looking forward to seeing if Dead Space 2 will run well, but I am waiting for price to come down a bit.

I also have to look into overclocking, but I am worried about heat issues.

 

[Blu101]

Doesn't look like the 512MB 330M makes that big a difference:

http://www.barefeats.com/mbpp22.html