Microsoft access and STATA on Mac, bootcamp vs Parallels

I have an iMac OS X, first time mac user. I need microsoft access and STATA. I currently have STATA installed on my iMac

If I buy bootcamp (BC) or parallel, would I buy and install access on this system? i.e. do I open a "BC or parallels" window, and download access that way?

After I install access, I need to transfer the data to STATA 12 (a statistical analysis software that is currently loaded on my iMac, not sure how many out there are familiar with this) I am a physician and this is the program that will run the actual stats. STATA runs on both Mac and PC.

Would this work? Or would I need to install STATA on "BC or Parallels" (right now only on my iMac)

I guess the overall question is, do people recommend Boot Camp or Parallels for my particular situation, and, will it work. I understand this may be difficult as I don't know how many mac users utilize access and STATA.

Thank you for any advice, greatly appreciated.

Henry

Admin note - I removed your email address. You don't want to post that publicly - spammers might make use of it.

Boot Camp install Windows to your hard drive while Parallels "virtualizes" it. Virtualizing an operating system installs Windows to a file (or collection of files) and you run Windows in a program. If you do this, you end up running Windows and OS X at the same time. If you choose Boot Camp, Windows is installed to the hard drive like it would be on a non-Mac. If you go this route, you'd have to reboot your machine to switch between the two.

Here's what I mean by running an OS in a window if you virtualize it:



As you can see, I'm running OS X and another OS at the same time (in this case, it's Linux). If you only need Access, a VM (virtual machine) is likely more than sufficient. And, to address your first question, you would install Access like you would any other Windows program.

Thanks and thanks!

I think a VM is the best way to go. Do you think I would have any problems with moving the data on Microsoft Access (on windows) to STATA (on the iMac, STATA reads access files)?

Thanks again for all your help,

H

If Stata reads Access files, I can't see why not. It might be wise to first check to see whether or not the Mac version can import Access files first.

Great, I will try