[EQMac] For those starting up on the Mac Server

[Kyth]

Also, for anyone that is interested in playing we setup a small little irc channel, dunno if there is a bigger one.

irc.gamesurge.net / #eqmac

[Vallhalla]

I'll be playing, just ordered a MacBook Pro today. Can't wait! There's a few of us in the IRC channel already getting setup. So if you're already playing or interested, come join us!

[Lonin]

I'm jealous of you guys being able to afford a Macbook and getting to play.

[tad10]

Originally Posted by Lonin

I'm jealous of you guys being able to afford a Macbook and getting to play.

From an email I sent my friend about running EQMAC

Here's the lowdown on cheap Macs. To run EQMac you need at least 1GB of memory and 64MB of VRAM on a discrete graphic chip. Apple is freaky about discrete graphics - it switched from discrete to integrated with the Intel mac minis, so could be the older mac minis run EQ better. Also neither the iBook or the macbook have discrete graphics.

Cheapest to most expensive:

eMacs G4 1.42Ghz/ 1.0GB (expandable to 2.0GB)/64 MB Vram. All other emacs have only 32MB of vram.
Mac Mini G4 1.5GHz/1.0GB (that's max only 1 slot)/64MB Vram. All other mac minis have either intergrated/only 32MB.

eMacs tend to be cheaper than Mac Minis but come with less memory. So add $40.00 to buy the 1 stick of memory for the emac. Mac minis have no monitor but so what.

iMacs G4 1.25/17"/64MB Vram and above
iMacs G5 1.8Ghz/17"/128MB Vram and above
iMacs Intel only the 17" and 20" intel iMacs. The 15" Intel imacs have integrated graphics.

Powerbooks G4 1.0Ghz 15", 17" and above


eMacs go for 250-350. Mac Minis for 300-400. iMacs start at 450 and go up. Powerbooks are expensive.

It is possible to once and a while get a good deal on a mini or emac on ebay. And, with this economy, probably a good deal if you have cash in hand if you go to your local used Mac store.

We are not buying MacBook Pros to run EQMac -- right now we're debating between the 1.5 G4 Mini and, the 1.42Ghz emac and (if we get crazy) the lowest end good iMac (17").

[Lonin]

Originally Posted by tad10

From an email I sent my friend about running EQMAC



We are not buying MacBook Pros to run EQMac -- right now we're debating between the 1.5 G4 Mini and, the 1.42Ghz emac and (if we get crazy) the lowest end good iMac (17").

I know not everyone is, but a couple people in these threads specifically said they just went out and bought a Macbook, I'm assuming a new one. I'm just depressed 'cause I got a speeding ticket so I'm like brokex2.

[tad10]

Originally Posted by Lonin

I know not everyone is, but a couple people in these threads specifically said they just went out and bought a Macbook, I'm assuming a new one. I'm just depressed 'cause I got a speeding ticket so I'm like brokex2.

God love them for during their part to stimulate the economy :-)

But like i said in my email to my friend cash is king these days if you go into a used mac store (and there's a ton) you can probably get a much better deal than on ebay -- maybe $100-150 for the 1.5Ghz Mini.


Just wait till you've got that $150 and start shopping around, EQMac isn't going anywhere.

[Vallhalla]

Haha, well I had my mind on getting a laptop for awhile, this just happened to motivate me to break down and order it. :-p

But yeah, if you wanna buy something specifically for this, I suggest looking at other people's suggestions. You don't need too huge of specs to run it I'm sure.

[tad10]

Wow. I never realized how stuck in time this server is - even the spells are old school. Longer cast times, lower damage.

Al'Kabor Spell Data

* * *

And yeah, according to eqmac G4s will run this little beastie just fine - more RAM is better (they recommend 2Gigs on their forums) and at least 64MB or Vram (128MB pref of course).

[Goliath]

Originally Posted by tad10

Wow. I never realized how stuck in time this server is - even the spells are old school. Longer cast times, lower damage.

Al'Kabor Spell Data

.

Like I was trying to say in the other thread, the game is hard. Spells aren't curved for all levels and they are the weak, original ones. It's great if you are patient and casual. Real EQ.

[Eonan]

So there a decent number of folks doing this (for a month at least)? May download the client again.

[Vallhalla]

Yeah there's definitely some interested people. A few of us are for sure going to try this long term. I think a couple may be just testing the waters to see if they want to or not. Regardless, it should be pretty fun.

Stop by the IRC channel to chat.

[Divinefactor]

Does swarm kiting still work?
Any of the old broken items still available? (prenerf CoS Manastone etc)

[Eyashusa]

So iBooks do not have discrete graphic chips? Meaning if I have an iBook G4 I wont be able to play it or won't be able to play it well?

[Goliath]

Originally Posted by Divinefactor

Does swarm kiting still work?
Any of the old broken items still available? (prenerf CoS Manastone etc)

I've been told swarm kiting is in and the server was released in 2003, so there are no manastones. I believe prenerf CoS exists via casino? Can't remember if it was one of the items. Forgot how much I missed the old bazaar though!

[Divinefactor]

Debating about rolling up a bard... ya know... fruity 11 singing22 awesomely fun 33 cant 44 type and do well at the same time class...