Pretty much, yes.
If you can run Boot Camp I'd recommend doing that as you tend to experience less issues. It's what I do.
But if you can't use Boot Camp (no windows license/limited hard drive space/something like that) or don't want to for some reason, the mac client will cover you.
The mac client is pretty good, but there's still issues that stem from it running through the translation layer that has to run through. No getting around that unless they made a true native mac client.
The fact is, CoH was designed for native Windows. So if you can run native Windows, even via Boot Camp, you'll have the best experience.
The Mac version, however, gives you the benefit of not having to restart the computer to use it. You can also use your familiar programs and music Mac side without going to extra effort to make it available Windows side. And for most it does that handily with very few tradeoffs.
Most importantly, it attracts the growing audience of Mac users who don't have Windows installed either on Boot Camp or a real PC, and have no intention of installing it.
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I absolutely understand for those who don't wish to install windows. After all I'm sure they bought a mac for good reason(s), one of which is so they can use OS X.
Now, what about mac client versus parallels or fusion to run windows for CoH. I had a friend that used to play on their Macbook using VM Fusion (before parallels became a bit more popular), and claimed it ran better than their PC even. I can attest it was at least decent, having teamed many times with her and don't recall any crashing, long load times etc.
Again, i know cost is even a bigger issue here, because you have to buy more 3rd party software.
EDIT - One of the reasons I am asking is because i am strongly considering buying an IMAC sometime this year.
I'm not sure if I'd really use Fusion or Parallels for the primary means of playing a game ...3d support is there, but it's still not as solid as running either the mac client or natively in windows.
The biggest issue is you're splitting system resources between OS X and your virtualized windows enviornment, meaning it's not going to have as much room to expand into memory or as much CPU power availible since it's running both OS X and Windows at the same time.
I'd avoid it for resource intensive applications. It might work, but you'd get better performance and most likely less hassle either going boot camp or the mac client.
I agree with Frost...while it can be done, running the Windows CoH client in VMWare/Parallels/Virtual Box isn't the best performance option.
I have my MacBook Bootcamp'ed and I run the Mac client when I'm connected up to a second display and want to "work" while having the game client up on my second display in windowed mode.
I re-boot into Windows when all I plan on doing is playing CoH.
I can state without hesitation that the best performance and most eye-candy is achieved when running the Windows client.
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I agree with Frost...while it can be done, running the Windows CoH client in VMWare/Parallels/Virtual Box isn't the best performance option.
I have my MacBook Bootcamp'ed and I run the Mac client when I'm connected up to a second display and want to "work" while having the game client up on my second display in windowed mode.
I re-boot into Windows when all I plan on doing is playing CoH.
I can state without hesitation that the best performance and most eye-candy is achieved when running the Windows client.
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That is probably what i will do. I really like OSX, but i wouldn't mind boot camping into windows to play windows supported games.
How much partition do you recommend. I plan on playing CO, and DC universe when they come out, as well as keeping the CoH client updated on the system. A safe guesstimate if you will.
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CoH is around 2-3GB these days. I have a...er...very strong feeling that champions will be about the same. DC Universe will probably be in that frame as well.
Add a couple gig for windows, and I'd say minimum of about 15GB, probably be more comfortable with 20. I do 15 on mine since it's a macbook pro and the hard drive is a bit smaller.
Cool, that gives me a good idea then. There are a few other programs i like on windows, but i have a good idea where they stand. I think i'm going to go the 24" imac route. Seems like a nice fit for my house.
How's the mac keyboard layout and mouse situation? Is it worth looking for any 3rd party stuff for the gaming aspect?
If you're buying an iMac you'll have a good keyboard and a multi button mouse by default. Some people don't like the feel of the mighty mouse and it's not really designed with windows or games in mind...I use a Logitech mouse personally.
You should make sure that you're getting the keyboard with the number pad though. Apple just switched so that their keyboards come sans number pad unless you switch it. You can do it online but I'm not sure how it works if you're doing it in the store.
I really like the feel of the apple keyboard and it works in windows (the apple key turns into a windows key). Only downside is that the keys are set up like: Ctrl/Alt/Apple Key instead of ctrl/windows key/alt like most windows keyboards. Everything works, you just need to reprogram the muscle memory a bit.
Ok cool, i didn't know they were doing that with the number pads. I was probably going to buy online, and use the student discount to get 100 bucks off the price. I think i'll pick up a multi-button mouse with scroll wheel in place of the mighty mouse.
Thanks for all the great feedback. You guys answered a lot of questions for me, which will make my decision of heck of a lot easier.
Yeah, they changed it with the latest round of hardware updates. The keyboard with the number pad is a free upgrade, but you need to make sure to select it when you go through the order process.
yeah, it is still an option, i went to the apple store online to check it out.
Did they ever update the drivers so imacs can support the 64 bit version of vista? Seems silly that you can use it on old mac book pros and older mac pro desktop. The hardware is definitely there.
Looks like they include the 64 bit driver disc with the mac pro, but I'm unsure if it's included with the iMac.
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/ap...owsvista64.html <-- that might help, but I'm not entirely sure as my Macbook pro is one of the older core duo models and isn't 64-bit compatible.
EDIT: did some more digging. Looks like 64-bit vista isn't officially supported on iMacs, but I can't see anything that would stop it from working anyway. Might want to have a 32 bit copy to fall back on if that's the case.
Doesn't Coh work better with Mac's if it is run natively with boot camp, rather than through the mac client?
Of course i understand there is cost involved in purchasing a copy of windows...
Seems to me for people who really loving gaming, and wish to do so on a Mac, its worth it.
Thoughts?