OS 10.5.8

I seem to recall reading/hearing that I can switch to windows if I needed to.
If it is possible, what is the procedure?

jaybass

that's a rather broad topic don't you think?

I certainly don't anticipate buying a PC.

Was I wrong in my thinking?

jaybass

Here's one possibility.

Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows.

jaybass, you didn't say if you had an intel Mac. If you do then you are golden. If you have a G5 or older machine you are going to have problems. Most software for those systems are no longer produced.

However, even if you do have an intel Mac you are faced with how you will implement a Windows instance. Your choices in decending order are:

Boot Camp
Parallels or Fusion
CrossOver.

For Boot Camp, Parallels, and Fusion, you will have to purchase a copy of the Windows OS. I would recommend Windows 7. However, Boot Camp is not going to support Windows 7 on certain intel Macs.

Parallels and Fusion will run any flavor of Windows OS. The advantage of these programs is that you don't have to boot into either Mac OS or Windows. You boot into Mac OS and run Windows in the virtulization environment.

CrossOver is a Wine implementation on the Mac. It has the ability to run without a copy of the Windows OS. It is the cheapest method, however, it isn't that great for games, and you may experience some problems with esoteric Windows software. Your mileage may vary.

For some background on virtualization, check out the MacWorld article Virtualization: Windows on a Mac which contains links to reviews of Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, and VirtualBox.

Thank you sturner & alternaut for your replies.
I do have leopard and I have just taken a look at boot camp
which seems the way to go for me.

I have a complete backup in case I goof off.

jaybass

Given what sturner said about Parallels and Fusion, why did Boot Camp seem the way to go for you? [just curious] Also, that Macworld article alternaut linked to should be studied before deciding (as it also links to more articles and reviews).

I just think Boot Camp seems less convenient than the other choices (as it requires rebooting).

I have looked at parallels & fusion and the times I would use windows wouldn't justify the cost.
I guess I will just have to be satisfied with my imac.

I'll delve into boot camp anyway just out of curiosity.

Thanks, jaybass.

I believe VirtualBox is also free.
[not including Windows, natch.]

To expand on Hal's not including Windows, natch—you will need a copy of Windows to run Windows under Boot Camp as well, so factor in the cost of purchasing XP, Vista, or (if you have Snow Leopard) WIndows 7.

To put it in a nutshell, if you want to run windows, it's going to cost you.

So now I know.

jaybass

In more ways than one. Don't forget you will also need to make a substantial investment in various Windows anti-malware utilities in addition to the cost of Windows itself, not to mention the windows partition on your hard drive that is required for Boot Camp.

I never thought of the anti-malware side of it.

That is the final nail in the coffin.

Goodbye windows.

jaybass

To put it in a nutshell, if you want to run windows, it's going to cost you

what about wine + avg? I'm no expert here for sure tho