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switching to windows?
#8125 02/02/10 11:57 PM
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jaybass Offline OP
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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

Last edited by cyn; 02/04/10 03:11 PM. Reason: Topic moved from 'Mac OS X 10.0 - 10.5.x' forum to 'Other OSes on the Mac' forum.

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Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8127 02/03/10 12:04 AM
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that's a rather broad topic don't you think?


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Re: switching to windows?
Virtual1 #8131 02/03/10 02:21 AM
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I certainly don't anticipate buying a PC.

Was I wrong in my thinking?

jaybass


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Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8132 02/03/10 02:35 AM
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Re: switching to windows?
dkmarsh #8136 02/03/10 03:52 AM
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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.

Last edited by Sturner; 02/03/10 03:53 AM.

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Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8137 02/03/10 04:11 AM
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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.


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Re: switching to windows?
dkmarsh #8147 02/03/10 01:39 PM
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jaybass Offline OP
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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


OS 13.6.4 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2017, 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 24 GB RAM, 2400 MHz DDR4. SuperDuper. 1 TB Lacie HD
Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8152 02/03/10 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: jaybass
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.

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).

Re: switching to windows?
Hal Itosis #8154 02/03/10 08:44 PM
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jaybass Offline OP
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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.


OS 13.6.4 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2017, 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 24 GB RAM, 2400 MHz DDR4. SuperDuper. 1 TB Lacie HD
Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8156 02/03/10 10:22 PM
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I believe VirtualBox is also free.
[not including Windows, natch.]

Last edited by Hal Itosis; 02/03/10 10:34 PM.
Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8159 02/04/10 12:13 AM
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Quote:
...the times I would use windows wouldn't justify the cost.

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

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.



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Re: switching to windows?
dkmarsh #8174 02/04/10 03:30 PM
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jaybass Offline OP
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To put it in a nutshell, if you want to run windows, it's going to cost you.

So now I know.

jaybass


OS 13.6.4 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2017, 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 24 GB RAM, 2400 MHz DDR4. SuperDuper. 1 TB Lacie HD
Re: switching to windows?
jaybass #8175 02/04/10 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted By: jaybass
To put it in a nutshell, if you want to run windows, it's going to cost you.

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.


If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?

— Albert Einstein
Re: switching to windows?
joemikeb #8176 02/04/10 05:28 PM
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jaybass Offline OP
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I never thought of the anti-malware side of it.

That is the final nail in the coffin.

Goodbye windows.

jaybass


OS 13.6.4 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2017, 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, 24 GB RAM, 2400 MHz DDR4. SuperDuper. 1 TB Lacie HD
Re: switching to windows?
joemikeb #8182 02/04/10 11:54 PM
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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


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department

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