mac boot camp again

[billb]

I'm at a school and we always buy a shedload of new pc's in the summer. talking theoretically here as wouldnt have the balls to try I dont think but could I buy a load of imacs instead of pcs and then using boot camp have them as either normal pc's or macs? is it a complete xp installation with boot camp what would be the catch bar cost? would they log onto network run group policies etc ok?

thanks,

Bill

[m12_nathan]

XP runs natively on intel Mac hardware, no different to running it on any other x86 box.

[billb]

m12_nathan said:

XP runs natively on intel Mac hardware, no different to running it on any other x86 box.

and would the spec on imacs running xp be similar to a high end pc. wonder if they can run vista on it?

[paulie-mafia]

Intel Macs should be fine running Vista - see this Guardian article for more info...

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/week

[robbieduncan]

Depending on your requirements and reuse kit you have available Mac Minis and exising (or even cheap new) monitors might be more cost effective then iMacs.

[pAntscat]

m12_nathan said:

XP runs natively on intel Mac hardware, no different to running it on any other x86 box.

<dunce hat> Without Boot Camp? </dunce hat?

[m12_nathan]

not without serious messing about, boot camp frigs efi so xp thinks it has a bios.

Intel macs will run vista including aero too, even the ones with the integrated graphics chip.

[800]

We have an office network with Mac and PC. (but want to be completely Mac).
Are presently experimenting with bootcamp and running XP on an iMac (we need to use AutoCAD which is windoze only) it works without any problems - AMAZING!

Best bit of course is when you're finished with the nasty, clunky world of London taxis, you can return to the lovely, fluffy world of Mac OS X

[Andy M]

billb said:

m12_nathan said: XP runs natively on intel Mac hardware, no different to running it on any other x86 box. and would the spec on imacs running xp be similar to a high end pc. wonder if they can run vista on it?

I think any of the duo processor Intel Mac's will be able to run Vista. Why you'd want an OS written by Microsoft on such lovely hardware is another subject...

[cyberface]

Running windows on Mac is like raping the thing. [/mac zealot]

Back on topic, the main issue with Boot Camp is that currently only a full retail XP SP2 copy of Windows will work, unless you want to start hacking about. This is fine for enthusiasts but if you're trying to run a lab full of them you'll probably want to use your OEM or Universal subscription MSDN discs. I don't think you can currently do this, which makes the Windows on Mac value proposition less attractive. If you have a deal with Microsoft where they give you full retail SP2 discs then you should be OK.

Do try OS X though, it's excellent.