Autocad LT 2007 + Win XP

Hi,

I have just moved from my old Win XP machine to MacBook Pro. The only windows software I need to run is Autocad LT 2007, which runs off XP Home. I still have my XP install CD, so I can install it on Bootcamp. My questions are:

1. Will I need to install antivirus such as Norton 360 on the windows partition to keep it safe?
2. I always save drawings as pdf's so I can mail to non-cad users. Can I save my pdf's on the Mac OS side easily? or do I need to put them on a USB and manually move to the Mac?
3. Are there any known performance issues running windows on bootcamp for this purpose?

Thanks

First... if you have the $$$, you might want to think about running AutoCad for the Mac. It's expensive though and I don't know if you could transfer your license or receive an upgrade promotional price. You would have to ask the AutoDesk folks.

1. Running Windows on your Mac involves the same precautions that you take when running on a PC. So yes, you need AV software. I would stay away from anything Norton though. The free MSE software from MS works well enough.

2. Saving to PDF is built in on the Mac side but you will be unable to save your AutoCad drawings to the Mac and to PDF. So you do need some way to do it from Windows. Adobe?

3. No performance issues. However, and this is important... you didn't mention which MBP you have. If it's a new MBP, you will be unable to run XP or Vista. The only version of Windows compatible with the newer Macs is Windows 7 and Windows 8 (when it's released).

Thanks, that's really helpful. I have a new MBP version 8.1 so I guess that means I can't put XP on it.

The other problem is that as I live in the UK, Autocad LT for Mac hasn't been released here yet (get onto it Autodesk!). Looks like I will have to keep the old PC for a while longer unless any of you guys stateside can get me LT for Mac!