Seven Steps to turn your PC into a Mac
July 23rd, 2005
Before
After
(Click for larger image.)
Step One - Theme
Install the Full Install Style XP Man version bundled with Panther from StypeXP by TGT Soft. Once installed, open menu and install the Panther theme. This will now change your background, taskbar and all menus.
Step Two - Login
In StypeXP you have the option to change the login screen for different users. You will have to download the login here. Once downloaded, import the login to StypeXP, set to use and hit Apply. You can also try the Mac Pixel login or iPanel.
Step Three - Boot Screen
Also in StypeXP, you have the option to use a different boot screen. Download the Mac OS X boot screen, import into Style XP and hit Apply.
Step Four - The Dock
One of the most notable differences between XP and OSX is the use of the dock instead of the taskbar. One of the best docks out there is the ObjectDock by Stardock. You can tweak and customize the bar to your liking. To make it look like a Mac set to magnify over mouse hover and set the attention effect to bounce in the ObjectDock Properties.
Step Five - Dock Icons
You might notice when you start dragging some of your most used programs into the dock some programs icons might not look very clear or sharp when blown up to a bigger size. In this case, it is recommended that you change the program icon (by right clicking on an icon in the bar and choosing Dock Entry Properties. A dialog box opens up and here you have the option to Change the Image and browse for an alternative. Jairo Boudewyn has hundreds of beautiful free icons that can be enlarged and still be sharp up to 256px. Icons ranging from Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite 2, Firefox and many more.
Step Six - XP Taskbar
Now that you have the dock, you can set the Dock taskbar on in ObjectDock and hide the XP Taskbar or you could turn off the Dock taskbar and position the XP bar to the top of the screen. Drag the Windows XP taskbar (first right click it and unlock taskbar if it is currently locked) and bring it up to the top of the screen to act as a toolbar as in OSX.
Step Seven - Toolbar Buttons
Launch StyleXP and change the default toolbar buttons by replacing them with Pro Genius, Marine Bar, or ColdXP.
Enjoy the new look!
I run Windows and Linux and am looking forward to maybe getting an x86 MAC and running all three on that architecture. I’ve worked with all three, and by far, the most efficient, stable and hands-free performance comes from Apple. But that’s not me; I’m a hands-on guy. For instance, I like older cars I can actually monkey with, without scads of special tools and an array of diagnostic programs. I like building stuff with my hands, swapping stuff out, updating, upgrading . . . all the stuff you can do with a PC and not with a MAC. I’m old enough to remember when Apple started, and I hated it then exactly because it was so ‘user-friendly’ (though that term hadn’t been invented yet). I was a hands on programmer, then, and an interface that did things for me got in my way. Now that computers are sooo much more powerful, having an interface to smooth-out the edges is essential, and I can see why some folks want that to be as easy and smooth as possible. Personally, I think a single platform world would have vast advantages, and LINUX is easily versitile enough to produce any style of interface anyone could ever want. You can’t say that about MAC or Windows, though you can come close enough for most folks. And why not?
but… Macs stink
every computer can crash, my pc has been on for a least a month now, never showing any problems of major computer componant failure or error, the only problem is spyware…
Gerard - I am a college student and I have a new Mac. Mac’s were the only computers we actually used in college. Our instructors recommended we buy them. And I did. If you’re a student, you get a specail price. I only paid $1000 for mine, and that’s Canadian.
I don’t know a whole lot about computers. Hell, I’m one of the dreaded people who just clicks ‘ok’ without reading the warning. But I love everything about my mac. It’s easy to use and never gets a virus. Plus I can watch all the video in the world without it crashing. Plus, I feel cool when friends come over to my place and fall in love with it because it’s so different.
Anyways, I’m just trying to say that Mac’s are waaaaay better than PC’s. Anyone with a Mac will tell you that. and some PC users too.
does anyone know if you can add expose to internet explorer on a windows machine? im thinking about getting a mac and i thought this was a great way to test it but the thing is that i want expose on my internet. any help?
The biggest problem with Macs is the problem that’s always existed with Apple, lack of software and support. Face it, there are ten thousand titles for the PC for every one that exists for the Mac. Plus there are countless vendors selling millions of different parts for PCs and for Macs, well, you’re stuck. Just walk into any store that sells computers, not one for Macs only (I haven’t seen one myself but I hear they exist somewhere out there) and look at what’s available. Everything for the Mac can fit in a corner (usually covered with three inches of dust) and the PC stuff, you need an aircraft hanger to even come close to carrying a “large” selection of software, parts and accessories.
It boils down to this. Why do you want a computer? To do one specific task or to do many? Most people expect a lot of things from their computer, so for the vast majority a PC is the only choice. If all you need is a few specialized things done, well, spend the exhorbinant amounts needed to buy the Mac and do it. Sure you won’t be as likely to get spyware or viruses. Just like if you live in a plastic bubble your whole life you’re not as likely to get a cold or something. Most people choose not to live in bubbles.
I own a imac, and it’s very bad. It dosen’t have a firewall, or a virus checker thing. I’m gonna buy a pc.
the other jorge, try a great program called WinPlosion, it works for all windows including internet explorer. Thats a great way to test it, try the free trial.
Or you should have thought about buying a mac before you bought a pc
thanks justin. much more useful than erin
burnman, i totally agree with you. im actually thinking about switching to a mac. i heard its really great and that its easy to use along that its powerful. i think ithats my next computer
its like a mac but you can use games!
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
Blah blah blah. Who cares what you, or you, or even YOU think? Get what you want, use what you want and shut up already!
Amber: come on do you really think your gonna solve your security problems by buying a PC? How typical, another women that thinks she knows how to solve a problem by throwing her money around without giving any thought as to what might be causing it. Listen buying a pc will not solve your security problems, and also FYI PCs, Macs, Customs, etc, do not come with bundled spyware/anti-virus protection unless you pay an additional fee. And if you feel the “Windows Firewall” is going to protect you then you have a lot to learn.
Why would you change a pc to a mac? Just buy a mac!
OK, first off. I’ve used style xp for a long time when I’m on my pc (hardly ever.)
My mac is the thing for me. Powerbook G4. =). this worked for me.
anyone have a way to do this WITHOUT style xp or flyakite or wtv? possibly a complete shell replacement?
Stats:
os: os x (10.4.1), developer edition & win xp sp 2
Proc: p4 (prescott core), sse3 enabled
ram: 512 mb ddr 333
harddrive: 80 gb ata-133 w/ 8 mb cache
win xp startup time: 90 secs
os x startup time 15 secs
except for fruityloops, os X has everything I need for what I do…. mac os X is faster on x86 architecture than windows is…. which one will I use? I think it’s safe to say that apple has another customer waiting to buy os X for x86. Downside to os X right now for x86 is a lack of drivers for my hardware
C’mon guy’s, flamewars are for kids. Simple as this:-
Buy a MAC, or buy a PC. Whatever. There are a lot of people out there who can’t afford this kinds of comforts. Be greatful you can afford it.
i love my mac mini…
could somebody tell me how to turn my PS1 into a mac and pc … windows xp would be nice and mac os x … i am using a pc and a mac … but i had my playstation … it is so time consuming … just do something new .. thx …painlezz
hmmm… I’m typing on a PC rightnow, and I don’t believe I’ve ever even seen a Mac system outside of an Apple store. They are pretty to look at, but they seem…almost in a different language, for my experience. I am intrigued by them. You all seem so literate compared to me. Did any of you ever have a computer w/o enough memory to get an internet provider? Dare I hope to learn at least a little bit? Or were you born typing?
I agree with Greg, Just get a mac!
This thing is a joke! I mean, who really wants to chang there PC to a Mac. I mean, come on, really. If I wanted a mac, I would go get me an ibook.
This is how you really change a PC in to a Mac.
Step 1: Click Here:
Step 2: Done
Yeah, that’s it. It’s as easy as that.
I was looking for the exposé thing (the WinPLOSION stuff) because it’s very useful and I ended up here and I read some of the previous posts. Here’s what I think:
There is no need for this discussion, Macs and PCs are just different, both are very good. In fact I have a G5 iMac and a Pentium 4 HT IBM, both with 2GB RAM.
I like them both, because I make a lot of photo, audio and video editing on the iMac and software development on the IBM. I couldn’t do it all the way around. PCs are not very stable with heavy multimedia duties and it’s pretty complicated to develop software on a Mac.
Happy holidays to all of you, Mac and PC lovers. Best wishes for 2006.
Ergh… I don’t know but it just looks ugly like that. If you really want a mac desktop: Go and buy one, but it is dingy if Windows user try to have a “mac”.
i love it, but my sister got so mad because it looked diforent
..and then you can emulate Expose, I recommand WinPlosion. And for all the stuff you need, just go to: http://www.osx-e.com/
To easy steps to turn your Pc into Mac :
1. Throw out you PC
2. Buy a Mac
That’s all !!
Amazing and so much fun (I dont get out much)