How to run Windows Software on MacBook...

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PHTech

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Hi there...

Does anybody know how to run Windows Software on a Macbook...? Is there some file converter, or some kind of thing to use...???

Thanx...
 
Either load windows on a bootcamp partition or run windows inside osx via parallels or vmware.
 
??? Sounds a bit confusing to me at this stage... But there is somewhat a way how I can try and explain it to the person who use the macbook...
 
They can either set it up so they can boot into windows if/when they need it or they can run windows inside of a bubble while they're osx. Either way they will need a full copy of windows.

Inside the bubble might be easier as you can run windows programs so that it looks like a normal osx application.
 
bwana said:
Either load windows on a bootcamp partition or run windows inside osx via parallels or vmware.
Click to expand...

Virtualbox is the open source (read: FREE!!) option - I have had much joy with it personally so I can certainly recommend it :)
The forums are quite active and you should be able to sort out most hassles by searching there.

BTW: this is virtualisation software so you would be running Windows within OSX as if it were merely another program (bwana's 'bubble' option in other words).
 
SlinkyMike said:
Virtualbox is the open source (read: FREE!!) option - I have had much joy with it personally so I can certainly recommend it :)
The forums are quite active and you should be able to sort out most hassles by searching there.

BTW: this is virtualisation software so you would be running Windows within OSX as if it were merely another program (bwana's 'bubble' option in other words).
Click to expand...
Cool - I'll have a look. :)
 
Vegeta said:
Yes, dont buy a macbook ;)
Click to expand...
You can boot directly into windows (or linux or whatever) and it runs as well as a standard PC so why not buy a MacBook?;)
 
bwana said:
You can boot directly into windows (or linux or whatever) and it runs as well as a standard PC so why not buy a MacBook?;)
Click to expand...

Wasn't a MacBook Pro also the highest rated laptop according to Windows Vista's rating system at the time? :p
 
bwana said:
You can boot directly into windows (or linux or whatever) and it runs as well as a standard PC so why not buy a MacBook?;)
Click to expand...
Why in hell would you pay all that money for OSx which is a big part of the price then format the thing and install Vista/linux whatever? Thats retarded.
It is an amazing piece of hardware though no doubt
 
Vegeta said:
Why in hell would you pay all that money for OSx which is a big part of the price then format the thing and install Vista/linux whatever? Thats retarded.
It is an amazing piece of hardware though no doubt
Click to expand...
I agree its messed up but there are some people that need one or two bits of windows only software or they want to play games. Personally I dont know of anyone who actually runs windows on their macs full time.
 
bwana said:
Could be. I know PC World ranked it the fasted windows laptop not too long ago.

EDIT - yeah I knew it sounded familiar - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=92186
Click to expand...

**speaking through gritted teeth**
D@mn MBP runs XP as a guest OS faster than any dedicated Windows machine I have ever owned.
Start up (from cold) to XP desktop is under 20sec in Virtualbox.

/eats hat :o

Also: I don't even run antivirus - just snapshot every few days and should anything go wrong I can simply nuke the current state and go back to the last good snapshot.

...BTW: this is being used in a production / mission critical environment.
 
a freind of mine runs his virtually and then uses the windows programs with in mac, its kinda cool as with a windows theme u can't tell(besides the icons on the top of window being in the wrong place etc, and just think, he makes snapshots of it, 10mb or so, and then loads unsafe software without a worry because its gonna be deleted :D ) :-)
 
bwana said:
I agree its messed up but there are some people that need one or two bits of windows only software or they want to play games. Personally I dont know of anyone who actually runs windows on their macs full time.
Click to expand...

I know of people who format their macbooks just to install linux.. yeah I don't get it either.

SlinkyMike said:
**speaking through gritted teeth**
D@mn MBP runs XP as a guest OS faster than any dedicated Windows machine I have ever owned.
Start up (from cold) to XP desktop is under 20sec in Virtualbox.
Click to expand...

Same for me and Linux, boots up under 10sec(quad core PC) XP even had a BSOD within virtualbox while Linux was still running perfectly.
 
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