I've nothing but problems with my Dell Alienware PC that's in a RAID configuration. One of my volume RAID drives failed, the first time it happened, it just "degraded", spent a bit of time with "Kumar" in India to get it back up. needing to re-install windows7 (what a pain-in-the-@ss). That was about three months ago, now it failed. The computer works, but only on RAID volume drive array 0001 (array 0000 is gone). Dell (Kumar) informs me that all they can do is send a Tech who will swap out my defective drive with a new one. This means re-installing windows 7.After this upcoming save everything you have on your hard-drive, and reinstalling windows 7, I'm thing of switching from a Windows PC to an Apple Mac. The Apple folks say that a MAC can run windows programs with an emulator, something called Boot Camp. The only thing holding me back is running FSX. Are there any folks who are running FSX on a MAC? How's it going?

I've nothing but problems with my Dell Alienware PC that's in a RAID configuration. One of my volume RAID drives failed, the first time it happened, it just "degraded", spent a bit of time with "Kumar" in India to get it back up. needing to re-install windows7 (what a pain-in-the-@ss). That was about three months ago, now it failed. The computer works, but only on RAID volume drive array 0001 (array 0000 is gone). Dell (Kumar) informs me that all they can do is send a Tech who will swap out my defective drive with a new one. This means re-installing windows 7.After this upcoming save everything you have on your hard-drive and reinstalling windows 7, I'm thing os switching from a Windows PC to an Apple Mac. The apple folks say that a MAC can run windows programs win an emulator, something called Boot Camp. The only thing holding me back is running FSX. Are there any folks who are running FSX on a MAC? How's it going?

Just a quick question - why do you think that a Mac will have higher quality hard drives? Most people buy Macs for the software, not the hardware. And you can't even run FSX on a Mac without either a dual/boot set up or an emulator program running. This just struck me oddly - please don't take this as any kind of criticism. colin

Just a quick question - why do you think that a Mac will have higher quality hard drives? Most people buy Macs for the software, not the hardware. And you can't even run FSX on a Mac without either a dual/boot set up or an emulator program running. This just struck me oddly - please don't take this as any kind of criticism. colin

I'm just tired with the problems that I've had with the Dell Windows PC, I realize that this one is a hardware problem, but I just sick on going through the garbage of re-installing windows, re-installing all of my programs etc. for about the third time. Maybe it's a Dell problem, but I'm just sick of going through the reinstall process once again. The only reason that I'm holding on to a PC is, that it runs FSX and another game Blackshark, and soon A-10C.

I am watching this thread with an eagle eye. I am in love with a 27-inch i7 iMac. I would love to bring her home but I don't know how she would get along with FSX. Not into the whole Mac vs. PC war. Just want to know if anyone is doing it and how well it works. The iPhone and iPad were launchpad drugs for me. I'd be bringing a box home from the Apple Store today if it weren't for the need to run FSX. :)

Actually, there are any number of folks who're running FSX very successfully on an iMac. After all, these are essentially using the same hardware (processor, motherboard, hard drives, etc.) as any desktop PC...In fact there's one well-known FS developer who simply loves his iMac. Bill (Lionheart Creations) Ortis, the creator of a ton of freeware a/c, as well as some nicely done payware a/c is one of 'em!But, as was stated earlier, the reliability (MTBF) is identical to a PC, since the hardware is essentially the same.

I have an iMac at home as well as a PC. Thing is, the iMac is much less powerful than the PC. Neither the CPU nor the GPU are anywhere near the spec of those in the PC. So don't expect the same performance from a Mac as from a PC. This is true even for the best Mac Pro. They are lovely machines but they are not gaming machines. If you still want to go ahead, there are several ways of running FSX on a Mac. The most common way that preserves all the power of the machine is to dual boot the Mac with boot camp. This means setting up a separate partition on the HDD for Windows and installing a copy of W7 (which you'll have to buy of course). This is really easy to do and should take you about half an hour. Then you install FSX on the W7 partition just like a PC. When you boot the system you get a choice of running OSX or W7. Too easy!I have to say that after doing this I never find myself using the W7 partition. OSX does all I want and is at least as good as W7 as an operating system. And then I have my fast PC for FSX, which runs very reliably with an SSD. This is fast storage and although still expensive, is a better solution than RAID 0, which effectively doubles the chance of HDD failure.Cheers,Noel

I'm just tired with the problems that I've had with the Dell Windows PC, I realize that this one is a hardware problem, but I just sick on going through the garbage of re-installing windows, re-installing all of my programs etc. for about the third time. Maybe it's a Dell problem, but I'm just sick of going through the reinstall process once again. The only reason that I'm holding on to a PC is, that it runs FSX and another game Blackshark, and soon A-10C.

BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER.Don't waste your time or money on a mac. Dells are trash. Build your own computer and save a ton of money!If you are worried about building it on your own, look out on youtube for building tips. Building a computer is as easy as putting legos together.

I'm just tired with the problems that I've had with the Dell Windows PC, I realize that this one is a hardware problem, but I just sick on going through the garbage of re-installing windows, re-installing all of my programs etc. for about the third time. Maybe it's a Dell problem, but I'm just sick of going through the reinstall process once again. The only reason that I'm holding on to a PC is, that it runs FSX and another game Blackshark, and soon A-10C.

---------------------------------------------------------------Well, I have a Dell XPS 730 and going strong for the last two years. If you would have created a SYSTEM IMAGE of your hard drive when everything was installed and all was working well on a external drive, you could have had your entire system with all programs running to perfection with the mere act of bringing back that image to your internal drive, even the new one that was installed by the Dell Tech.It is imperative that everyone should have a hard drive back-up created each month, OR...whenever you have installed a new program or updates to current ones. This makes any hard drive failure, a MINOR inconvenience.I suggest that you take the time once more to install everything as you wish it...and then defrag. Then...make that system image. If you own W7 Ultimate, this is a piece of cake. Go to back-up and then select the SYSTEM IMAGE. Direct it to the new W.D. My Book you just bought, (LOL) and create your first 'insurance' policy. Now, if you screw up an install, get a nasty virus or spy ware issue, or you have once again a hard drive fatal failure, ...no prob. Just bring back your SYSTEM IMAGE for any one of the above afflictions...and you will once more have a perfectly working system in all of 1/2 an hour or so.I hope the above helps....

I have a MacBook pro and I duel boot using bootcampI boot to windows only to play FSX and phoenixRCWorks very well for meI use the Mac for my day to day stuff and windows for the simulators.Bootcamp isn't a emulator so you have all the speed your computer can give you.Emulator like parallels won't work as well.

BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER.Don't waste your time or money on a mac. Dells are trash. Build your own computer and save a ton of money!If you are worried about building it on your own, look out on youtube for building tips. Building a computer is as easy as putting legos together.

I would agree 99% with that. Although I have a Dell which used to be my FS9 computer back in the day, it's now my work/internet computer and I have never had any probelms with it. That being said, if you want a true gaming computer for FSX I would look toward either building one yourself or having one built. The reasons are two fold. Building or having built will usually allow you to buy better components and pick and choose what you want for a cheaper price than buying a high end Dell or other. Plus the fact that when you build/have built your own rig, when it comes time to upgrade or change a component, it will probably be easier because you wont have to worry about it having proprietary compents like some prebuilt computers have. Then there's the fact that if you are going to overclock or not. Some prebuilts have a BIOS that wont let you, while others like some of the XPS series area already OC'ed or will allow you to change BIOS settings, but your going to pay a pretty penny for a good XPS when you could build something better or the same for a lot less.Of course some will go for the prebuilt Dell or HP, because they are interested in the warrenty, but when you build your own the components still come with a warranty, although some parts can be void if you overclock.Personally, as much as I love the looks of MAC and all the Apple stuff, I wouldn't spend the coin on one or any other store bought computer for a gamming computer when you can build something much better for a lot less. Although after what has happened to you I can see why you might shy away from building or having one built.

I'm just tired with the problems that I've had with the Dell Windows PC, I realize that this one is a hardware problem, but I just sick on going through the garbage of re-installing windows, re-installing all of my programs etc. for about the third time. Maybe it's a Dell problem, but I'm just sick of going through the reinstall process once again. The only reason that I'm holding on to a PC is, that it runs FSX and another game Blackshark, and soon A-10C.

If you think getting a Mac is some cureall for all of your problems, you are mistaken. They both have their issues, and they both have their strengths. The problem with a Mac is that OSX isn't nearly as use able as Windows. Unfortunately, you will buy a Mac, and the next week, install Windows to dual boot. There are simply so many options with a Windows machine. Options you often dont find on a Mac. Just one example, there is no Windows style Word for a Mac. Sure there is Microsoft Word, but it isn't actually Word. Its a dumbed down versions that will have you pulling your hair out.There is an extreme degree of irony in this statement;

The Apple folks say that a MAC can run windows programs with an emulator, something called Boot Camp.

If Mac was the sh*t, why do you need Windows? Oh yea, I remember, because you need Windows to do most things.

If you think getting a Mac is some cureall for all of your problems, you are mistaken. They both have their issues, and they both have their strengths. The problem with a Mac is that OSX isn't nearly as use able as Windows. Unfortunately, you will buy a Mac, and the next week, install Windows to dual boot. There are simply so many options with a Windows machine. Options you often dont find on a Mac. Just one example, there is no Windows style Word for a Mac. Sure there is Microsoft Word, but it isn't actually Word. Its a dumbed down versions that will have you pulling your hair out.There is an extreme degree of irony in this statement;If Mac was the sh*t, why do you need Windows? Oh yea, I remember, because you need Windows to do most things.

I have to disagree strongly with this. Macs not as useable as Windows? I have a 27" iMac, and I use Windows only for gaming. That's why I dual boot into Windows: because many of the games I want to play work only on Windows (but this has started to change, recently). The MS Word that exists for Mac does everything I need it to do. I find it's more useable than the Windows version, to be honest, purely because the UI of it doesn't change with every version. In general I have found that the Mac versions of Microsoft programs are far easier to work with. They look better and operate better, and the UI is much easier to get your head around.The problem is that not all of the specialized programs work on Mac, though I find that this, too, is changing. More and more people want a Mac, and the response is that more and more specialized programs are appearing. I rarely use Windows for anything besides gaming, because I frankly don't need all the rest that Windows offers. I have programs on Mac OS X that tend to work better, are easier to use and are for the rest just as good as their Windows counterpart. I find that there is hardly any truth in any of your statements, and I would like to ask: have you ever in your life used a Mac for longer than one hour? Have you used one every day, every week, during a period of half a year? If not, then you probably don't know enough about Macintosh. And before you ask: I have worked with Windows almost every day, every week, during at least 7 years. I use it primarily for gaming, but I have done video editing, word processing and all that on it too. And yes, I prefer Mac. Why? It works better for me.HOWEVER, let me say one thing: Macintoshes can break too. They are just machines. Mac's reliability comes mainly from the software. I have had hardly any software troubles with my Mac (OS crashes and the like). I have had quite a lot with Windows. But, the hardware is just that: hardware. Macs come with rather high quality stuff, but however high the quality is, it can break. And when it breaks, it costs just as much to repair it.(By the way, I wish people would stop typing "MAC". It's "Mac", not "MAC". The misunderstanding probably comes from "PC", but that's an acronym for "Personal Computer". "Mac" is not an acronym for anything)

Totally agree Benjamin.Macs for work.Windows for play.

Same for me Benjamin and Dean : Mac for serious stuff and Windows via bootcamp for gaming (flightsimming)Jean-Jacques

Totally agree Benjamin.Macs for work.Windows for play.

First quarter of 2010, the Apple Mac is 3.6% global market share in sales of all personal computers.