Posts Tagged ‘PC’
Question Asked: Can I Run Mac OS X On a PC?
You can, but not very easily. Running Windows on a Mac is relatively easy compared to the other way around, using Bootcamp, Parallels, or VMVare.
However, running OS X on a PC, you’d need to built what’s referred to as a “hackintosh”. A machine specifically built for the purpose of running OS X.
PCs and OS X have different standards as to what will make them “work” for the machine itself. The majority of standard PCs aren’t capable of running OS X, so you need something custom.
Lifehacker has a great walk through to build one of these “hackintosh” computers for less than $800. Check out their tutorial here.
Question Asked: How Do I Use Two Monitors On My PC?
Using two monitors is a great way to increase productivity. I’ve been dual monitoring for about 3 years now, and can’t manage with just a single monitor anymore.
It’s fairly easy to do, as long as you’ve got the hardware to support it. If not, it’s a pretty easy upgrade to your computer.
The majority of computers theses days can only support one monitor, out of the box. However, with an easy video card upgrade, you can support two.
Most upgraded video cards support dual monitors, whether it’s dual DVI, or dual VGA. Or, in some cases, one of each. If you’re not the technical type, just scoop up your computer, bring it into Best Buy, and ask them for help. They’ll install a video card in your PC for a small fee.
Once you’ve got your video card installed, it’s just a matter of plugging in a second monitor, and turning it on. If you’re using Windows, it should automatically recognize the second monitor. You may, however, need to configure the way your monitors are set up, and your resolution. To do so, it’s pretty easy:
- Right click on the desktop, and click “Personalize” (Windows Vista)
- Click on “Display Properties”
- This will show you your monitors. You can grab the small black squares labeled one and two, and drag them around to where you want them situated. Monitor one will show your taskbar, start button, and clock.
- You can change the resolution by selecting one of the monitors from the dropdown, and dragging the resolution bar to the left or right.
- Be sure to save your settings when done. Simple.
Once you’ve got your monitor up and running, you’ll want some software to manage your multiple monitor setup. I recomment “UltraMon”, which I’ve been using for years. UltraMon allows you to have a taskbar on each monitor, which stores the windows that are open on that monitor. It also allows you to configure hotkeys (quick keyboard shortcuts to do specific tasks), easily move items to a specific monitor, and tons more things. It’s been called the “missing management application from Windows” by many reviewers. And without it, having an extra monitor can be a hassle. I recommend spending the money to get it. At least download the trial, and try it out. You won’t regret it.