DigitalStudioWerks

Hi,
We are a all Mac shop using MacPro's and MacBook Pro's and I am look for suggestions on a Windows Laptop to run SI5 Pro, ALONG with the entire suite of Crestron software (SIMPL, VTPro, etc).

What I am looking for is a machine that can handle running SI Pro, Visio, and the Crestron Apps all at the same time WITHOUT any issues. If some one can give suggestions on brand, processor type, memory, graphics memory. Money is not a issues. I am looking for the best laptop money can buy.

We know Mac's inside and out but when it comes to Windows machines thats a different story.

Also before anyone suggesting running Windows on a Mac we are already doing that. What I am looking for is a dedicated Windows Laptop.

Thanks.

BiGH

The Sony Vaio range are rather nice in my opinion. The look and feel of them is good (however they are expensive).

I know you said not to suggest it, but you really should think about running windows on the mac... i can't see why that wouldn't be a good idea. you could buy a second mac pro and run that as a dedicated windows box.

fryeguy

I agree with BiGH on the Windows on Mac issue.

Why go with different hardware when the Mac will almost certainly run Windows better.

If you are set on going to a true Windows based machine, check out the Dell Precision line. These are workstation grade mobile computers:
Dell - USA > Small & Medium Business > Workstations > Mobile Workstations

JoseM

Lenovo or Dell, I've had good luck with them. I would go with a desktop replacement, sure the size isn't ideal, but they have the better processors and expansion capabilities.

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Gurkha

Good Choice, Lenovo/IBM is what I used to use for years.

Better choice, go with an intel based macbook pro and bootcamp windows. Also use VMware or parallels to run windows in mac environment. Works great, [typing from vmware macbook pro right now]

In my windows environment I run D-tools, Lutron HWI and Shading and Ra, RTI and Color Kinetics programming software and all run with ZERO issue.

TwentyOneAV

This is what I would do:
1. Install windows (Any type) on a bootcamp partition.
2. Run windows in bootcamp mode to make sure everything is set up correctly.
3. Boot into Mac OSX and install VMWare.
4. Install windows inside of VMWare but tell VMWare to use the Bootcamp partition.

The reason for this is that you can now choose if you would like to run windows in bootcamp or inside of Mac OSX. (Best of both worlds!!!)

The previous reply's are correct. There is not a better laptop to run windows than a MacBook Pro. Nothing else is built like it and nothing else will run like it. 4 gigs of Ram in VMWare split the Ram with 2 gigs per machine and I run anything I would like to. Add a 24" LCD Display when in the office and put the windows (In full screen mode) on the 24" display and run Mac OSX on the Laptop Screen. Works wonderfully well.

Gurkha

One issue I found, and I also found a simple workaround is when in Mac OSX and running VM Ware, I could not connect to lansync server. It worked fine when I direct booted to XP, only happened in OSX/VMWare. Not sure why but it had trouble negotiating ip's from XP thru VMware to OSX

What I ended up doing is opening up C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc and added my lansync server ip address at the bottom of list and that solved the issue.

CJ976

I'm using parallels and received the following error - any suggestions? I can see all projects and connect to the server but whenever I open a project this is what i get:
Error in Object: ConvertSI5MXLtoShadowDatabase
Error Description: Invalid URI: The hostname could not be parsed.
Error Number:-2146233033

Thanks

fryeguy

Parallels is great for average applications for average users.
It is relatively unstable though depending on your needs.
If you are running OS X10.6 you should be able to setup your windows partition to launch from Boot Camp. This is likely to be a better route as it will cause the Mac to reboot into Windows instead of trying to run as a virtual machine...

Bob Pothier

Originally Posted by CJ976

I'm using parallels and received the following error - any suggestions? I can see all projects and connect to the server but whenever I open a project this is what i get: Error in Object: ConvertSI5MXLtoShadowDatabase Error Description: Invalid URI: The hostname could not be parsed. Error Number:-2146233033 Thanks

CJ,

You need to go to the Setup tab and set your local project path to C:\ something or to My Documents\D-Tools SI 5 Projects. Likely the path you have now is .host or .psf which will produce this error. If you are unable to make this work please submit a case to support and we will take care of you.

Simply go to our website and under the Support dropdown you will see "Submit an issue". Please fill that out as completely as possible and we will get back to you as soon as we can. You can also reach this page by clicking the link on the front page of the Navigator.

~Bob (D-Tools Support)