Tech News World is running the 2nd in a 2-part series on the Mac Gaming Renaissance, which explores some exciting new developments for those with Macs.

Mac-users, especially of the older power PC systems (G3, G4 and G5), who need to use Windows or DOS-based applications need to use Virtualization software. On Power PC Virtual PC seems to be the best choice in my own experience, although Qemu and Virtual Box are also quite usable.

I've revisited quite a few of the emulators I discussed earlier in my Retrogaming and Beyond on Mac OS X - article on various intel macintoshes ranging from a +- 1.4Ghz Intel machine with Ati 3D accelerated graphics to a +- 2.8Ghz Intel machine with Ati 3D accelerated graphics. Just to see if those new Mac's are up to the challenge (two Powerbooks, a macmini core solo and mini core duo, an acertosh and asustosh)

Well, I finally got my new iMac up and running, and I must admit I'm impressed with what I've seen so far. But, you'll have to excuse me if I don't put those Apple decals on my car just yet.

AppleI've been having some problems making the transition (I'm a Windows "power user" in many ways, and it's tough starting over from scratch with a new OS), but I think I'm starting to get the hang of things. Sure, it's a bit disturbing when even the input devices (the keyboard and the mouse) feel strange and unresponsive, but I'm sure I'll adapt as time wears on. The subtle differences are odd and sometimes frustrating. For instance, I use the "home" and "end" keys a lot on my PC to skip to the end of a line when I type. I have these keys on the Mac keyboard, but they don't seem to do anything. I also have a large widescreen monitor built-in, but the text has a habit of being so small I can't read it. Furthermore, the window re-sizing controls are different...In short, it's like speaking Spanish all your life and suddenly finding yourself surrounded by Portuguese. Yes, the basics are the same, and you can understand and be understood on most things, but all those subtle nuances get mangled in translation. I have the distinct impression that I'm "talking louder" at the Mac rather than correctly, and I need to learn its language.

Apple LogoNatalia Portillo (wow a female programmer!) has compiled a 64bit version of Mini vMac for Microsoft Windows XP x64. I wonder if this emulator will actually run even faster in 64bit incarnation.
The regular 32bit version is incredibly fast when you turn of the speed limiter. There are versions of the emulator out there that allow you to run at resolutions that were never possible on the old MacPlus. A great little emulator for all those B&W mac games.

Iceman Tired of the old WindowsXP look? Contemplating buying a new Macintel Machine? Perhaps this could tie you over until you make up your mind. A guy with the Nick Iceman seems to have created a website with links to files needed to configure your WindowsXP gui to look more like OSX.