Posted by Tadeusz Krzeminski on 04/17/07 18:13

On 17-04-07 19:54, in article LR7Vh.1020$G64.841@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net, "Luis
Ortega" <lortega@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> I want to get a Mac Pro desktop and use FCP Studio 2, but all of my previous
> experience is on the PC side of computing. I normally build my own computers
> and have a fair amount of experience doing so, but I read that Macs are
> generally bought as is and should not be tampered with. I would appreciate
> some advice on what I can and can't do with a new Mac Pro.

My answers will be rather short, but I've provided external links with some
information at the end of my reply.

> On a new Mac Pro that has two 2.66 dual core Intel zeons, 2 x 512 ram
> modules, and one 250 gig hard drive is it possible to add two 1 gig ram
> modules for a total of three gigs ram without any negative performance
> issues?

IMHO yes. There are specific memory configurations that could 'accelerate'
hardware a bit (or - to be exact - better utilize its resources).

> Can I add extra sata hard drives that I used to have in a Pentium PC? I have
> a few 7200 rpm sata hard drives and also a keyboard with marked keys for
> video editing that I would like to add to the Mac Pro. Is it Ok to use other
> keyboards and hard drives without problems?

In both cases the answer is positive. Of course it's a keyboard equipped
with USB cable?

> Can I install Windows XP as a second operating system and some Windows
> software in addition to having the Mac operating system and FCP studio 2
> software? If so, could I read or use files created in Windows when in the
> Apple OS and vice versa?

Yes. That can be easily done either using Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop,
CrossOver Mac or any other virtualization software.

> If it's OK to have a Windows OS on the machine, would it be better to
> install it to a separate hard drive or the same one that the Mac OS is on?

AFAIK you're supposed to have it on a system drive. But I'm not 100% sure.

> Can I use my flat panel Samsung display monitor on the Mac Pro or would I
> have to get an Apple monitor?

You can use whatever display (DVI's the best) you want.

> The Mac Pro doesn't seem to come with a lan card for connecting to my Virgin
> broadband service, and I don't want to use a wireless setup for various
> reasons. Does the Mac Pro actually have built in lan like on my current Asus
> motherboard or can I add a basic lan card on a PCI slot?

Yes, it does.

> Does the Mac Pro have a sound card or integrated sound that I could connect
> my current speakers to?

Yes.

Please refer to the following internet sites, there's a lot of information
you need and it's really worth reading it:

Apple's official website - http://www.apple.com/macpro/

Mac Pro specifications - http://www.apple.com/macpro/specs.html

Mac Pro review - http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macpro.ars

Apple's Mac Pro - A True PowerMac Successor -
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2816&p=1


--

Pozdrawiam / Best regards

Tadeusz Krzemiński

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