So How Do you Use Windows Programs on your Intel Mac?

[Asher Kelman]

We now have 3 Choices, AFAIK. Which have you tried? What works well or not? Let's collect experience.



Parallels

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Wide OSes support - including Microsoft Windows Vista
Unlimited choice of popular applications - your hardware gets
automatically configured for Windows
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Bootcamp http://images.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/images/previewtop20060405.jpg Download trial of Beta here (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/publicbeta.html).

What you’ll need

Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6 or later (check Software Update in System Preferences)
The latest EFI Boot ROM and SMC firmware updates (check Support Page)
At least 10GB free hard disk space
An Intel-based Mac
A blank recordable CD
A printer for the included instructions (You'll want to print them before installing Windows, really.)
A bona fide full, 32-bit, single-disc version of Microsoft Windows: Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2, WIndows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Ultimate.


Fusion

Download Evaluation Copy or purchase here (http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/?urlcode=SpanishLATAM_Google_Mac&gclid=CJXohtjV6o0CFQptYAodH1He0w) for $60 after mail in rebate.(don't forget to send it in!)

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http://www.vmware.com/files/images/background-heros/fusion_header.png

Unite Windows and Mac OS X
Seamlessly run Windows applications alongside Mac applications with the Unity features in VMware Fusion.
Find and launch Windows applications quickly with the VMware Fusion launcher. Switch between Windows and Mac applications quickly with Exposé.
Minimize Windows applications to the Mac OS X Dock.


So is the dual boot system of practical use to you or you haven't explored it yet?

Asher

[Andrew Rodney]

I've got Bootcamp on one Intel iMac. Fast. I'm running Vista. The only thing that I don't like is I have to remember to hold down the Option key when rebooting otherwise, Windows defaults as the OS. Seems dumb. You'd think Bootcamp would provide control over this or at least default to boot OS X.

[Duke Beattie]

I've got Bootcamp on one Intel iMac. Fast. I'm running Vista. The only thing that I don't like is I have to remember to hold down the Option key when rebooting otherwise, Windows defaults as the OS. Seems dumb. You'd think Bootcamp would provide control over this or at least default to boot OS X.
I had one that was doing that.. If you go to your system preferences on the MAC side and pick the MAC as the boot disk it seems to stay that way... at least it did on the one I was working with... It's supposed to stay where ever the last boot was.. but seems to get hung on the Windows side..

[Andrew Rodney]

Tried system preferences, didn't work between boots of the OS. I just made a sticker on the Mac reminding me the 3 times a year I'll boot Vista to hold down the Option Key at boot time.

[ron_hiner]

I use Parallels -- it works great. One issue though is that I can't print from qimage to my R2400 printer. I suspect there is a soluiton to that, probably by switching from firewire to USB.

Other than that, its fantastic!

I have never tried VMware, and I don't plan on ever trying Bootcamp. I'm not interested in rebooting everytime I need a windows program.

Ron

[Paul Caldwell]

As I 97% windows user, (I still prefer the macbookpro platform to any other laptop on the market currently), so I run boot camp. Now up to 1.4 but I am still on 1.3. I am running the original version 2.16 macbookpro.

It's gotten much better with 1.3. However you still will see some issues.

1. About every 20th boot, the machine comes up with only one core showing in task manager. When this happens, the machine get hot very fast. Fix is a power off and reboot.

2. You still need non mac tools like "input remapper" to allow you to control the fans. There is still no real fan control in native XP with all the Mac drivers. Net the machine will run hot 65 to 75 C degrees and long term that's not good. With input remapper you can control the fans get some true cooling working and keep the temps around 40 to 45 degrees C

3. Still get a few blue screens, never know when they are going to happen, most times it will be on boot, but these are rare.

4. I haven't moved to Vista and won't for a long time, so can't comment on that OS, XP over I would say is around 87% solid with the latest version of boot camp.

Overall nice machine with XP. Only thing I would have preferred is a non internal loading DVD, but that's been the design with Mac for years plus the fact that to upgrade or replace the hard drive is a non user friendly task. It can be done, but you aren't going to do it easily.

Paul C