Apple Mac computer for my Amaya XT

[amayaki]

I want to change from PCs to MAC computers. Big Question: do MACS support AMAYA software. Which MAC should I consider?

I use CreativeDrawings for my digitising.

I have searched threads for 'MAC computers' and all sorts of computations including 'APPLE MAC' to no avail.

Any AMAYA-Mac users out there? Especially in Oz.

[Greenwing]

Amaya OS is not supported by apple
and Melco does not support or encourage using a mac.
You will be on your own they will not even help you if under warrenty.
The net working in a mac is the main issue will not see your Amaya.

get a cheap notebook or net-book to run your Amaya.

[Sandy Campbell]

I use a Mac with Parallels VM software and Windows 7.
No problem whatsoever as the VM gives true and full PC capabilities.

Works equally well with Vista and for Windows which equally applies to any PC user change Amaya.exe 'properties' to Vista compatibility.

[Jeannine]

Hi, I am a Mac user - have been for 20 years. I use my Mac laptop with Windows for my Amaya and Pro + software. I simply partitioned the HD, installed Windows and the Amaya software and all is fine (well Windows is just Windows). I also installed Parallels VM software to move between the two operating systems. It works well but is slow. I do have to be booted into the Windows OS to run the machine - but that's no problem. I do like the Pro + software because I can edit and create what I need for the patterns.

[Mama Kass]

Jeannine, where do you plug in your dongle?

[Jeannine]

My laptop has two USB ports, so I added a USB hub and plugged the dongles in there. It seems like I had to configure the hub in Windows somehow. If you need more info, I'll try to find it.

[Jeannine]

BTW, I asked a Melco rep. about connecting to the rest of my network and he said that I'd need another communications card. So, it's easier just to use Parallels when I boot into my Mac, do what I need to do there (move files, etc) and then reboot into Windows.

[amayaki]

Thank you, Greenwing, for the cautionary note, and thank you Sandy and Jeannine, for the positive affirmations for using Mac with Amaya software as well as some technical details. No-one has reported a negative reaction when using a Mac with Amaya in the week this topic has been active. I plan to hit the Big Smoke (in Oz, Sydney is the Biggest Smoke)later this month, so I will take my PC, as well as my software CDs and dongles, and visit some Mac retailers. Any clues about the questions I should ask, and the lingo I need to know (like 'parallels') would be appreciated. For instance, should the USB hub (only learnt that word this week, to replace 'double adaptor') be externally powered, or will one, that simply asttaches to the computer, be sufficient?

[Greenwing]

If the USB port is seen by the softwear, Dongle & Operating system. Then it can be either powered or not. The tricky part is getting the Melco softwear to see the USB Dongle on a MAC.

Get a hold of Jeannine Member # 3054 Since she seems to have the Info you need.

Once you get it down and figure it alll out Write it up step by step and send it to this list owner and he will put it up under tip section for others to use.

Think of how much it would have helped you if someone else had...

I for one, Though I own 2 MAC's really prefer the windows platform.

[oldkush]

Both the Amaya and the Creative Drawings are MS Windows based only and will not function directly under the Mac operating system.

That said, the new generation of Intel Macs are very versatile and accommodating in that they do allow you to also install Windows on the computer which in turn will let you run virtually any Windows based software on a Mac.

Those wishing to use Windows based software on a Mac, have 3 options:

1) Boot Camp - this utility software is already included with the Mac and allows the user to easily partition the hard drive into a Mac side and a Windows side [or even something like Linux]. Once set up, every time you boot up, you will have the option of running one operating system or the other but not both at the same time. This is like having two completely separate computers in one machine.

2) Parallels - very good and proven "emulation" software which allows the Mac to run Windows and Windows based software. Using Parallels will allow the user to run both the Mac OS and Windows at the same time.

3) VM Ware - very similar to Parallels in function and reliability.

I personally prefer BootCamp over Parallels or VM Ware because it keeps Windows problems completely separate from the Mac operating system ... but that is just my personal choice.

Regardless of which option chosen, you will have to purchase Windows [unless you already have a copy] to install on the Mac.

For those wishing to keep their Mac "all Mac", the only professional embroidery digitizing software written specifically for the Mac is Punto and McStitch. However, I understand that another "major" embroidery software developer is working on a Mac version of their software.

There is a very good Mac group at ..

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/iMacChat/

BobK

[Jeannine]

Amayaki, You will probably need a powered USB hub. The others simply won't work or won't work well. I also use - and do prefer VM Ware. The one thing you need to remember is that your machine cannot run with the dual boot system active. It needs to have just Windows running. I do hope that one day Melco will rectify this situation.

After setting up my (powered) hub, I used HASPSetup.exe so the OS would recognize my dongles. I haven't had a problem since then. Hope this helps. Jeannine

[namuh]

I have a Mac and use Parallels to run Windows software on occasion. I have not tried it with my Amayas, though. I would think that it would work fine from windows running within OSX, as everything I have tried works, including plugging in USB items. A window pops up and ask you if you want the USB item in Windows or OSX.

That said, you can buy a refurbished or used Windows computer for about the same price as Parallels software and have it dedicated for your Amaya use. That may be the best way to go.

scott