What is the best way to run Windows on Mac?

godlovesyou777 · godlovesyou777 #1 (**permalink**)

11-11-2011, 03:17 AM

I want to run mostly Mac, but I also want Windows installed because I don't want to purchase all of my commonly used programs all over again...and some of them aren't made for Mac anyways. Any advice?

Buzzard2010 · Buzzard2010 #2 (**permalink**)

11-11-2011, 04:34 AM

I'd go for using Bootcamp, it's already installed, easy setup with your Windows disk and doesn't cost you any more.

HTH

- Simon

bazanders · bazanders #3 (**permalink**)

11-11-2011, 04:36 AM

Depends on the programs, if there mainly light office type programs, then running in a VM such as parallels or a free one like virtual box will suffice If you have games or graphic intensive apps then id go with bootcamp.

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

11-11-2011, 07:06 AM

Best? It's all relative to a given situation.

Perhaps start here to begin the education needed to find what's 'best' for your needs.

swstacker · swstacker #5 (**permalink**)

11-11-2011, 10:07 AM

I am a new Mac user of about two months. I am using Fusion to run Windows on my Mac. It works great. I have some programs that are windows only and it runs them fine. I did not try bootcamp because I did not want to reboot as I switch between applications frequently. I have Fusion setup up on one desktop and all my other Mac apps on another. I just press Ctrl and right or left arrow to switch between them it really works slick.

Donkey Hodie · Donkey Hodie #6 (**permalink**)

11-13-2011, 11:05 AM

I installed bootcamp and it works fine. I got tired of rebooting though so bought Parallels Desktop and installed it. Everything I've tried thus far (MS Office programs, plus a number of older programs) works great, no problems at all.

Don't mean to confuse you with too many choices but, at least in my experience, this is a choice that works. I'm sure there are others as well.

godlovesyou777 · godlovesyou777 #7 (**permalink**)

11-13-2011, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the advice. I downloaded Parallels to try it out, but before I spent $80 on it I wanted to make sure there wasn't a better option for cheaper. I've been using it for about a week, and there are some things I like about it and some I don't. The biggest thing is I have a few programs that I don't have an actual disc for...they are things I bought or downloaded off the internet and they won't load because I don't know how to get them to work with Parallels.

I like that Bootcamp is free, but I also don't want to reboot every time I want to switch. It sounds like I might have to use it for my video editing software though, because that is a large involved graphics program.

I'll have to look into Virtual Box since it's free, and Fusion as well and see what I think.

Donkey Hodie · Donkey Hodie #8 (**permalink**)

11-13-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godlovesyou777

I downloaded Parallels to try it out, but before I spent $80 on it I wanted to make sure there wasn't a better option for cheaper.

For what it's worth, Parallels V7 can be had from Amazon for $57.37.

Buzzard2010 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2010 Location: Bakewell, UK Posts: 2,534 Mac Specs: iMac G3 800MHz :D \| PowerMac G4 \| MacBook Pro 15" 2.8GHz C2D 500GB HDD 4GB 9600M / 9600M GT 10.7.1	11-11-2011, 04:34 AM I'd go for using Bootcamp, it's already installed, easy setup with your Windows disk and doesn't cost you any more. HTH - Simon Rest In Peace Steven Paul Jobs February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011 [aged 56] If you have been helped, don't forget to use the Reputation system just above the post to the right. May 2011 Nominated: March 2011 & April 2011
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,036 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	11-11-2011, 07:06 AM Best? It's all relative to a given situation. Perhaps start here to begin the education needed to find what's 'best' for your needs. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
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godlovesyou777 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 08, 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 14 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 13" 2.4ghz i5, 4GB ram, 500GB SATA, OS X Lion 10.7.2 ~ I'm in love!!!	11-11-2011, 03:17 AM I want to run mostly Mac, but I also want Windows installed because I don't want to purchase all of my commonly used programs all over again...and some of them aren't made for Mac anyways. Any advice?
	QUOTE Thanks

swstacker #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 11, 2011 Posts: 38	11-11-2011, 10:07 AM I am a new Mac user of about two months. I am using Fusion to run Windows on my Mac. It works great. I have some programs that are windows only and it runs them fine. I did not try bootcamp because I did not want to reboot as I switch between applications frequently. I have Fusion setup up on one desktop and all my other Mac apps on another. I just press Ctrl and right or left arrow to switch between them it really works slick.
	QUOTE Thanks

Donkey Hodie #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 30, 2011 Posts: 24 Mac Specs: 2 6-core 2.66 GHz Xeon, dual ATI 5770 HD	11-13-2011, 11:05 AM I installed bootcamp and it works fine. I got tired of rebooting though so bought Parallels Desktop and installed it. Everything I've tried thus far (MS Office programs, plus a number of older programs) works great, no problems at all. Don't mean to confuse you with too many choices but, at least in my experience, this is a choice that works. I'm sure there are others as well.
	QUOTE Thanks

godlovesyou777 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 08, 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 14 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 13" 2.4ghz i5, 4GB ram, 500GB SATA, OS X Lion 10.7.2 ~ I'm in love!!!	11-13-2011, 02:44 PM Thanks for the advice. I downloaded Parallels to try it out, but before I spent $80 on it I wanted to make sure there wasn't a better option for cheaper. I've been using it for about a week, and there are some things I like about it and some I don't. The biggest thing is I have a few programs that I don't have an actual disc for...they are things I bought or downloaded off the internet and they won't load because I don't know how to get them to work with Parallels. I like that Bootcamp is free, but I also don't want to reboot every time I want to switch. It sounds like I might have to use it for my video editing software though, because that is a large involved graphics program. I'll have to look into Virtual Box since it's free, and Fusion as well and see what I think.
	QUOTE Thanks

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