I need Windows on Mac - what option?

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avdp

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I need to have Windows on my machine, as one of the programs I use is an exe file, and of everyone who does this line of work, it seems I am the only one on Mac!
So I have heard of Parallels and VM Fusion, and obviously Bootcamp. Not too keen on Bootcamp, as I will be using the aoftware frequently and dont want to switch on and off all the time ( I have no intention of switching back to Windows!).

So what would your recommendations be?

Thx
 
avdp said:
I need to have Windows on my machine, as one of the programs I use is an exe file, and of everyone who does this line of work, it seems I am the only one on Mac!
So I have heard of Parallels and VM Fusion, and obviously Bootcamp. Not too keen on Bootcamp, as I will be using the aoftware frequently and dont want to switch on and off all the time ( I have no intention of switching back to Windows!).

So what would your recommendations be?

Thx
Click to expand...

I've been using VM Fusion for the last week.
U can get into your bootcamp via VM Fusion so no need to reboot.
 
I have played around on a mac and i must admit it brings a :D to your face. But i've never considered buying one because it would be a bit impractical in SA where everything runs MS or Linux(if ur unlucky:p)... One would run into the type of problems mentioned by the op
 
Vegeta said:
I have played around on a mac and i must admit it brings a :D to your face. But i've never considered buying one because it would be a bit impractical in SA where everything runs MS or Linux(if ur unlucky:p)... One would run into the type of problems mentioned by the op
Click to expand...

goodness, heavens help us.
 
I would say go for Fusion

Hi
I have tried all four options - Boot Camp, Fusion, Parallels and Virtualbox.org.

Although Virtualbox is free, I did not like it very much. I would recommend using Fusion. 2.0 just came out and I like it very much. I have not tried Parallels 4, only v3 but I much prefer Fusion.

Also, if you want to do a little bit of gaming, Fusion provides Directx 9.0c support now.
 
Thx for the feedback. I had a feeling it would be Fusion.

Next question. How do I setup bootcamp?

Is there a way that I can use the Windows on mu old unused pc? Not keen on having to buy another Windows license if its possible to use an unused one? Or should I rather just buy one?
 
avdp said:
Thx for the feedback. I had a feeling it would be Fusion.

Next question. How do I setup bootcamp?

Is there a way that I can use the Windows on mu old unused pc? Not keen on having to buy another Windows license if its possible to use an unused one? Or should I rather just buy one?
Click to expand...

Setting up bootcamp is easy, check your apps folder.

Saw an import setting on VMware, haven't tried it, maybe check on there site.
 
If you have the windows CD/DVD then you can activate it with the same license, no need for a new one.
 
Aqua_lung said:
If you have the windows CD/DVD then you can activate it with the same license, no need for a new one.
Click to expand...



Thx. So will I then install Fusion, and then install Windows? Will it not show that the license has already been activated?
 
avdp said:
Thx. So will I then install Fusion, and then install Windows? Will it not show that the license has already been activated?
Click to expand...

If you are not using the other windows machine the you can activate it, if it fails to activate just call the number that you are given and you'll receive a new key.
 
avdp can I suggest you install Bootcamp, windows XP and then run VM Ware on your bootcamp installation. Sometimes you may need to have a dedicated Windows OS running as there are some performance issues when running XP in a VM. I have bootcamp and Parallels 4 accessing my bootcamp installation when I need to quickly do somit in XP.
I have a few games that run better under XP in bootcamp.
Bootcamp is part of Leopard anyway so its no cost.
 
Thx. But wont that method require me to reboot everytime I need to access Windows? Or can I then access it either way?
 
avdp said:
Thx. But wont that method require me to reboot everytime I need to access Windows? Or can I then access it either way?
Click to expand...
Parallels (and I presume VM ware) let you access windows either way.
 
So how do you install Parallels? I am not into in gaming or anything. I just have one specific piece of software I need to access regularly. I just need to figure out which is most effective. It seems I will need to buy a new Windows XP as well.
 
avdp said:
So how do you install Parallels? I am not into in gaming or anything. I just have one specific piece of software I need to access regularly. I just need to figure out which is most effective. It seems I will need to buy a new Windows XP as well.
Click to expand...
Whats the software? You might want to check and see if it is compatible with Crossover in which case if it is you wont need any windows.

I've got parallels installed just as a disk image - not on its own bootcamp partition. If you have an existing copy of XP that isnt being used on another machine just install that copy.
 
Thx, checked Crossover, not covered.

I wanted to use my old pc's Windows, but daughter uses it to play games on the net, so I guess I will have to get another XP. Just still not sure if Parallels or Fusion.
 
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