Author Topic: Buying a win machine  (Read 1022 times)

Offline kimmer

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Buying a win machine
« on: June 08, 2018, 09:16:23 PM »
Now, don't throw 'maters at me, but I'm considering buying a win machine. I want it simply to play games on. I have no intention of hooking it up to the 'net.  :no2:  I like playing the games from Spiderweb Software (Sneakers got me hooked). Anyhow, they don't play nice on my iMac and since I sold Sneakers older iMac,** I’m stuck. Unless y'all know where I could buy an older iMac running the older software???

Some of the games require Windows XP or later, some Windows 2000. I can actually download the install on my iMac, put it on a flash drive and install -- I think. I have a pal who would probably help me for a few bucks. Anyhow, suggestions?

http://spiderwebsoftware.com/products.html

**lesson learned too late -- don't make those kind of decisions when your grief is fresh.

Offline jchuzi

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Re: Buying a win machine
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2018, 05:51:10 AM »
Have you thought about getting Parallels Desktop or Bootcamp so you can install Windows on your Mac?
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Offline kimmer

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Re: Buying a win machine
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2018, 11:10:11 AM »
Have you thought about getting Parallels Desktop or Bootcamp so you can install Windows on your Mac?
Well, no I hadn't. Duh! Thanks for the tip. I'll look into that.

Offline Xairbusdriver

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Re: Buying a win machine
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2018, 02:08:51 PM »
Be aware that some PC games make direct access to the graphic capabilities of the hardware. That can cause problems for methods like a simulated OS and possibly even Boot Camp.
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Offline Paddy

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Re: Buying a win machine
« Reply #4 on: June 09, 2018, 02:57:30 PM »
Which games in particular are you interested in, Kimmer? If you can list them, then we can help figure out what the system requirements are. Given that they're old games, their graphic requirements are unlikely to be beyond the capabilities of an emulator - the issue may be more with the age of the OS.

Of course, you might be able to score a cheap older Windows machine running Win2000 or better for less than you'll pay for the emulation program. Parallels and VMWare Fusion are both $80 and then you still have to get Windows on top of that. There are no legal, free versions of Windows available for download, btw. And non-legal versions (of which there are definitely some online) could well be contaminated by malware, so I wouldn't go that route.

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/sys/d/laptop-notebook-156-screen-24/6602727714.html for instance.

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/sys/d/hp-all-in-one/6588984518.html (ok - this one is a little more - but still ridiculously cheap, really)

In fact, there are a whole bunch on OR Coast Craigslist for very little money.
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Offline kimmer

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Re: Buying a win machine
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2018, 07:27:26 PM »
Which games in particular are you interested in, Kimmer? If you can list them, then we can help figure out what the system requirements are. Given that they're old games, their graphic requirements are unlikely to be beyond the capabilities of an emulator - the issue may be more with the age of the OS.
Mainly, I want to play any and all games at Spiderweb Software. Their games require games require Windows XP or later,  and some Windows 2000. I'm checking with a friend here in town to see what he might still have from his closed/reopened computer business. Sadly, experience by many others in this area is to avoid any Craigslist listings from this area. Like I said, I'm kicking myself for letting folks talk me into dumping Sneakers iMac and his win machine, but grief is a funny thing and I can't go backwards.

http://spiderwebsoftware.com/products.html