I use a Mac. Have a new iMac at home and use a MacBook Pro for work. I guess that pretty much brings me to X-plane for a decent flt sim. The last time I used one was way back. MSFS95 for Win95. I have read much complaints about X-plane, but the overall consensus seems to be that it is still a very good product. My question is; should I go ahead and get the version 10 or save $60 and get version 9 while it is still available? Also what would be a good joystick to purchase that will work with my Apple hardware? I don't want to go the yoke/ rudder route just yet. Eager to fly!

Hello !Just try both demos:http://www.x-plane.com/downloads/x-plane_10_demo/http://www.x-plane.com/downloads/older/You can also use a free software simulator like FlightGear:http://www.flightgear.org/Happy flying.

Hi there zdan!If you would like an opinion I would probably suggest dipping your toes in the water with XP9.7 to start with for several reasons:1-Mature code that works. Nice and stable.2-It will look and run great on a modern system.3-Buckets of freeware/payware addons from aircraft to utilities to scenery.4-Cheap as chips. You'll know pretty quickly if you enjoy X-Plane or not.XPX is a step forward; however, its a work in progress. Go for it if you don't mind being a bit experimental and putting up with constant updates and fixes. Personally I will be waiting for quite some time before moving over completely.As for a very nice bit of hardware control....I use the Thrustmaster T-Flight stick/HOTAS as a backup to my standard older gear and for very little money you get tons of easy-to-configure utility:Stick with hat/4 programmable buttons (I have them set for brakes/PTT for VATSIM/Internal-External view toggle/2D-3D cockpit toggle within XP). It also twists as a rudder but I ignore this using foot pedals.HOTAS that can be physically detached from the stick if you like. It has throttle axis...additional l/r axis (that I have never found a use for although in Evechron Mercenary space sim its great for rotation lol)....and 6 program buttons that I have assigned as Flaps+1/-1, Trim +1-neutral--1, and a couple more buttons on the base I assigned as Gear Up/Down and AP toggle on/off.Bloody cheap for all the functions and I know of multiple XP pilots with Macs that use this particular model. Pretty sturdy on the desktop too!I hope this helps a bit.CheersTed

Madmax, after trying the demo I think version 9 will be just fine. And thank you Ted. I believe I'll take your advice and start out exactly as you suggest. Except for the foot pedals. Perhaps I'll upgrade to yoke and pedals later. I'll get back here in a week or two after I am set up and going. Cheers!

Madmax, after trying the demo I think version 9 will be just fine. And thank you Ted. I believe I'll take your advice and start out exactly as you suggest. Except for the foot pedals. Perhaps I'll upgrade to yoke and pedals later. I'll get back here in a week or two after I am set up and going. Cheers!

Cool...let us know how you get on. You don't need pedals off the bat as the T-Flight (and most other quality sticks) have a twist stick that will serve as a rudder control. Foot pedals can be added whenever...but they do make a difference and add more realistic precise control.Enjoy yourself!