Looking for Mac Computer info help...

[Haarvic]

I'm not sure where else to post this so I figured I'd try here.

I am in the market for a Mac Mini but I have a showstopper. I do data entry for a trucking company and for this I use DOS. I have to have use DOS, it's a homemade progrm and there's no way of getting around it. My friend was mentioning that running Virtual PC and using DOS through that on a MAC may work.

Does anyone have any experience with this or can help me find more info?

Thanks so much everyone

[Tomo_kun]

Wait, is this DOS the operating system, or Windows Comand Prompt (The DOS like environment inside of WindowsXP)?

[Haarvic]

DOS = Disk Operating System

Dos isn't actually in WinXP; it's just a command prompt.

DOS was the original operating system b4 windows, and windows up to XP was based around it.

[baggss]

If you MUST use DOS, don't bother with the Mac. Virual PC is OK at best but will not give you what you need for what you are doing.

[Tomo_kun]

No, you missed my question completly. I knew that.

I was asking if you where running this in Command Prompt or if you where running this in DOS (LIKE BOOTING YOUR COMPUTER IN DOS!). As far as I know, Virtual PC doesn't boot into DOS.

[MikeM]

I'm assuming since you require DOS, an older, cheaper PC will do just fine. I'm guessing you already have a machine now that you could just keep using for that one task. With the Mini's size, both will easily fit on a desk. Just an option if you're really interested in the mini.

[Haarvic]

Ah Tomo, I'm sory; my mistake.

I'm just using the DOS Prompt, seems to work fine.

[Tomo_kun]

If you are using command prompt, I belive it is in Virtual PC (I dont own a mac yet). In this case, VPC plus a mac would work. As the mod said though, you could probibally get a better deal buying both (as VPC is expensive).

Didn't the old preformas have MSDOS prompt?

[baggss]

Some of the Performas actually had PC card that you could buy as an add on and run Win 3.1 or DOS on it...

Otherwise, Macs do not run MS Operating systems except thorough things like Virtual PC. For the OPs purposes, VPC may be a waste of time since you would be running an Emulator (DOS) through and Emulator (VPC) the odds of something not working correctly are pretty good. Just go buy an old cheap PC at a swap meet or thrift store....

[Kristiano]

Originally posted by MikeM
I'm assuming since you require DOS, an older, cheaper PC will do just fine. I'm guessing you already have a machine now that you could just keep using for that one task. With the Mini's size, both will easily fit on a desk. Just an option if you're really interested in the mini.

I second this option. You could get a cheap PC nowadays for like less than three hundred bucks (Albeit an awfully lowend one) and still get a Mac Mini and spend less than $1k.