I need help with my Mac

[chirurgeon]

I love my Mac Book but there are some companies who haven't gotten the message that we are out here with out superior hardware. I want to get a piece of equipment for my new embroidery machine that only works on Windows XP or Vista. Also my Sirius Radio which needs occasional firmware updates can only be updated on Windows XP. If I am remembering correctly, there is a way to use the Mac with Windows. Has anyone done this? How hard is this? Can I use other pieces of hardware that need Windows? I don't want to spring for the software and hardware if it would be easier to just spring for a cheap PC.

TIA,
Kim

 

[djlexus]

U can do it! If u purchase Vmware fusion it will alow u to run windows side by side ur mac os. It works great i use it all the time i need too. The only catch is u have to have a copy of windows xp to run on it. There is one other option called crossover for mac it works okay there are some programs that run on it. The nice thing about it is u dont have to have windows xp to run it. Both softwares cost the same 70 bucks but the vmware dose require windows to run. If u have anymore q's let me know.

 

[dpuck1998]

What he said ^ ^ ^

I love VMWare Fusion. I run Vista, XP and Linux on my macbook pro and all run wonderfully. The world of Mac does mean that you'll run into things that don't run on Mac software. With Fusion you can book up windows and run anything you need.

 

[scarlett873]

I've thought about using something that would enable me to use regular Windows and stuff, but I keep changing my mind...lol

Guess if I had a valid reason to, like a specific program that only works on PC, then I think I would bite the bullet and do it!

 

[Michele]

I got Parallels, so I can run Windows and any software that needs it.

 

[BabyElephant]

http://gizmodo.com/5055158/macbook-pro-automatically-self+destructs-in-time-for-next-version

 

[chirurgeon]

OK, so I will need to buy Windows XP and Vmware. I will look into both of those. I don't suppose they sell them at the Apple Store.

Kim

 

[Mish19]

I was going to mention Parallels as well.

 

[robertgp124]

I think that VMWare just came out with a new version. There were some specials floating around. It's a bit less expensive than parallels. I use parallels, but have heard very good things about VMWare. Good luck!

Also, if you just want to occasionally use Windows and don't mind leaving the Mac environment, skip VMWare and Parallels and just go with Boot Camp.

 

[dpuck1998]

I'll just toss in my 2 cents again. IMHO VM Fusion is the simiplest and easiest way to run vs. parallels and boot camp. If you just want to get in and out of windows without rebooting or booting up etc. I actually run Windows in one spaces and then I can quickly go between the two with a right arrow.

 

[Renysmom]

You guys need to stay very close to the computer this evening because when I bought my mac I also bought VM Fusion and I was planning to install it and Windows Xp tonite..

if I run into problems, I will come here looking for help

 

[dpuck1998]

You guys need to stay very close to the computer this evening because when I bought my mac I also bought VM Fusion and I was planning to install it and Windows Xp tonite..

if I run into problems, I will come here looking for help

Its easy, you'll be just fine!!

 

[Michele]

I'll just toss in my 2 cents again. IMHO VM Fusion is the simiplest and easiest way to run vs. parallels and boot camp. If you just want to get in and out of windows without rebooting or booting up etc. I actually run Windows in one spaces and then I can quickly go between the two with a right arrow.

I didn't have to reboot to get in and out of windows when I used parallels, you have to set it for some capture/release of the mouse. Then you can drag things right from Windows to the Mac desktop and vice versa.

Truthfully though, I don't use it anymore. Windows crashed on Parallels a couple of times and I lost some important files. Luckily, we already had a Dell laptop for DH so I just use it for anything that requires Windows now. I don't know where the problem was, Parallels or Windows, but I bought iWork '08 and try to do almost everything on the Mac now.

 

[tlcoke]

OK, so I will need to buy Windows XP and Vmware. I will look into both of those. I don't suppose they sell them at the Apple Store.

Kim

Kim, you can buy windows at any office supply store, Best Buy or other electronic stores. Walmart may have it also, since they sell computers and limited software titles.

 

[Renysmom]

okay I installed VMFusion and Windows... I see how you can switch back and forth but in windows how can I see my external drives which are attached to the mac? They are either NSFT or Fat 32 formatted so why can't I see them? I really need to see them since I keep nothing on my hard drive.

Help please

******

I found the drives and was able to access them but is there something I need to do to be able to access them either in the windows environment or mac. It appears right now I have to exit windows to see them on the mac portion?

Thanks

 

[cslittle999]

OK, so I will need to buy Windows XP and Vmware. I will look into both of those. I don't suppose they sell them at the Apple Store.

Kim

The Apple Store will sell VMWare and Parallels. Windows you can get any store selling computer software. You do need to buy a full version and not an upgrade. Ouch. Makes me glad that work pays for all of the software on my Mac.

 

[Bell30012]

Hold on!!! Don't purchase anything... Download a FREE copy of a program called BOOTSTRAP. Then purchase a copy of the edition of Windows that you want. I am using XP Professional. I've been using my MacBook this way for over a year. I can boot normally into OS-X or hold down the ALT/Option key and choose to boot into Windows XP. My computer in XP mode will run everything just as well as any Dell.

 

[cslittle999]

Hold on!!! Don't purchase anything... Download a FREE copy of a program called BOOTSTRAP. Then purchase a copy of the edition of Windows that you want. I am using XP Professional. I've been using my MacBook this way for over a year. I can boot normally into OS-X or hold down the ALT/Option key and choose to boot into Windows XP. My computer in XP mode will run everything just as well as any Dell.

Do you mean Bootcamp? That is an option as long as you have Leopard. The beta that worked on Tiger is no longer available. There are pros and cons to Bootcamp. With Bootcamp you either use OS X or Windows. It's hard to share files between the two. You do get the advantage of running Windows at full speed. VMWare and Parallels make it easier to use OS X or Windows. They are much better solutions for people who only need occasional access to Windows. I use both depending on what I need to do.

An XP Home license is around $200. VMWare is around $70 and Parallels around $80. There should be rebates available for both.

 

[Bell30012]

I share Microsoft Office files, Music and Video files without difficulty. I just click on the files in the Finder or in Explorer. I generally boot in OS-X (Tiger) but have the option of booting in Windows XP. You can purchase a copy of Windows XP for $90 or less still sealed with the COA on e-Bay.

The advantages I have found is that my dual core Intel based MacBook will run in Windows mode as fast as any other Windows only machine. I have found no software thus far that won't run on it. While the Mac has its advantages there is still some software that just isn't out for the Mac yet.

MapPoint, Garmin MapSource and nRoute and such.

 

[cslittle999]

The advantages I have found is that my dual core Intel based MacBook will run in Windows mode as fast as any other Windows only machine. I have found no software thus far that won't run on it. While the Mac has its advantages there is still some software that just isn't out for the Mac yet.

I agree. If you need Windows at full speed then Bootcamp is the way to go. Like I said I use both. Bootcamp does have it hassles. If you only need Windows for something quick (a web site that only works with IE for example) then it is a lot slower than VMWare or Parallels. It's harder to get files from the Mac to Windows (you have to use a thumb drive or some other external drive). I know you understand this but I'm explaining for others who haven't used either products. I must say that with improvements in Parallels (that I'm using) I find fewer reasons to go into Bootcamp all the time.