I've had Macs for many years and have rarely had any problems. I know you'll love yours. In regards to Parallel, there are some specific requirements that you need to meet before you can use Parallels Desktop, however, chief among them the requirement that you have an Intel-based Macintosh. It's rare, but there are some iMacs out there that are still Power-PC based. You'll also want at least a few gig of free disk space and at least 1GB of memory for performance reasons. They also recommend you have the very latest version of Mac OS X, which is easily done with the Software Update capability on the Macs.
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dan, I thought Parallels was only for Intel Macs, how did you get it to work on a G5? I've been a long time Mac/Roland user and considering the purchase of a new VersaCamm but see the software Rip is Windows only. Roland told me to buy a cheap PC to run the rip and network it to my Macs. I can do this but had been wondering if Parallels would work for this. I believe I've seen in trade magazines you run Rolands. Are you running any of your printers with Parallels? Thanks for any help!
posted
Dave, I know the new Mac Pro's are intel but I thought they dropped the G5 name. I see what your saying though and I guess when Dan said G5 I assumed G5 processor. Anyway I'm using an old version of Flexi v5.6 with no RIP. Never really cared for Flexi but need the cut drivers. Have always did most of my design work in Freehand and Photoshop then export as AI and then into Flexi to cut.
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sorry Dave. ;-) No such thing as a G5 with Intel processor. All new Macs being built now have Intel processors. There are still some Macs available with the G5 processor, but they have been on the shelf for a while. Some of the new Macs look just like what we all referred to as G5 Towers or just G5's.
I have no experience running a VersaCamm with Parallels, although I have run other Windows only devices without problems. But I have heard complaints from people trying to use a hardware key or dongle with Parallels, that their dongle is not recognized.
I've been looking at SignCut-X2 from http://www.whisqu.se/ They seem to add new drivers every couple of months and have a free trial you can download.
Right now my wife is running her Roland SolJet with FlexiExpert. The only problem we have is getting the artwork from the designers in a Flexi compatible format. It would be nice to get a file that is ready to just be imported to Flexi then ripped or cut...but that's for another thread.
As far as Parallels the best advice I can give is to always check for the latest update. I have fought with a few issues far to long only to find that the latest update had already fixed the issue.
-------------------- Rick Davis (spouse of a signpainter) Davis Sign Studio 601 Overton Street Newport, KY 41071 (859)261-7441 roodavis@mac.com Posts: 6 | From: Erlanger, Kentucky, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I stand corrected. They did drop G5 shortly after the Intel chip Mac came out. But I hear most people call them the Intel G5.
I'm trying to get SignCut-X2 to work on my G4. I think we're having cable issues because as soon as I do anything that brings up a second screen in SignCut, it crashes. I had a Griffin G4 serial port installed and I'm thinking that is the problem. I have a USB to serial cable on order which is what SignCut recommends.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dave if that cable doesn't work out you can always give this a try http://www.geethree.com/stealth/index.html The Mac geeks swear by this thing. I checked out the SignCut X2 web site, never heard of it before. Please keep us updated as to how it works. What kind of files can you import into SignCut X2? Flexi files? What's your first impression of the software's capabilities besides the serial connection issues?
posted
Thanks for all your responses, guys. I wonder if my problem is because I'm trying to install Windows 98. (The XP I have came with the laptop & I'm really hoping not to have to buy more software)
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
Good to know about the serial port issue. Currently running an older SummaCut using a Keyspan USB/Serial adapter (the SolJet uses ethernet). Where did you find a USB to Serial cable?
I checked out the link from Joe and it doesn't appear that they have updated for the Intel processor, but it looks like a pretty easy install for other models.
Felix - Win98 should not be a problem, well other than it is Win98, that's about the time I made the switch to Mac. ;-) Make sure you have the latest Mac updates installed and the latest version of Parallels.
-------------------- Rick Davis (spouse of a signpainter) Davis Sign Studio 601 Overton Street Newport, KY 41071 (859)261-7441 roodavis@mac.com Posts: 6 | From: Erlanger, Kentucky, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have I guess then a new G5 intel processor. Regarding the roland rip -- i have a cheap pc laptop that I drop my mac-created eps to the roland versaworks rip. I was too wondering about using parallels to run the rip - but they are physically too far apart to connect so its just easier for me to drop the eps on the thumb and let her rip.
"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
| IP: Logged |
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
What's your first impression of the software's capabilities besides the serial connection issues?
Printer-friendly view of this topic