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"Which Windows programs are compelling and unique enough to justify the hassle of putting Windows on your Mac?"
In my opinion, NONE! As a home user I have absolutely no use for installing Windows on my Mac( virtual machine or boot camp). I suspect I am in the majority. My wife is a teacher whose district is Windows only and she gets along just fine with Office 2004 Mac. Of those who work in a Windows environment and want to take some work home, again, Office Mac will be sufficient for most. I'd bet some serious money that the number of people who REALLY, TRULY need Windows on their Macs is not that substantial. Yes, of course, there are people who really do need to have Windows available on their Macs. I'm not saying there aren't. I AM saying these people are in the minority. Most Mac users who have Windows installed do it for the pocket protector crowd wow factor or "because I can". Serious gamers will be using their Alienware game machines, not a Mac.

Well, I was looking for compelling windows programs. Unfortunately, I didn't find any listed in the article. Either I didn't read closely enough or there aren't any ;-)
But seriously, I can think of two windows apps that just don't exist on the Mac and are very widely used around the world: CorelDraw and 3DS Max. I don't have access to 3DS, so I can't say how well it works, but I have tried CorelDraw 13 and it works just fine (and is much more stable than Corel 11 for the Mac). In general there are many categories of software (e.g. swf to avi converters, dvd rippers) that exist for windows and not for the mac. But the two I mentioned may be enough reason to run windows (2000 for preference) for many people.

It's a two-part series. Maybe your quest will come to an end with the second installment.

-cp

I run Fusion on my Mac simply so that I can run Helium Music Manager. It is without doubt one of the most feature rich music management applications out there and it has no equal under Mac OS X (or even Linux).
What I would say though is that for many people, Parallels and Fusion are about enabling them to run the Windows applications they want alongside OS X, rather than to be able to run Windows itself alongside OS X. There is thus a strong argument to say that for many the best option is to run the most stripped down version of Windows you can get your hands on. (You can use tools like nLite to remove non-essential components from XP for example).
OS X is a feature rich OS with it's own raft of applications, utilities and fine (and free) 3rd party programs, removing the need in many cases to duplicate them with the built-in extras that come with Vista or even XP.

Definitely agree with the OP--for the vast majority of Mac users, there's no need to install any version of Windows--that's why we're Mac users! There may be some compelling programs, but in that situation, the user becomes part of the minority--hoorah for him or her the s/he can now use Windows on a Mac, but for everyone else, enjoy your freedom, and don't feed the Redmond Beast.

As a web developer, and longtime Mac user I am glad I can run Windows on my Mac to see how poorly Internet Explorer displays my 100% W3C compliant web pages. Other than that I have used Windows under Boot Camp to run some bargain-bin educational games for my kids.
Most of the time, Macs will not provide you with as many choices when purchasing software, but they will usually provide you with better choices. Such as BBedit, OmniGraffle or any iLife app to name a few.
I think that many 'switchers' are coming to the Mac with the promise of Windows compatibility, and never needing it.

I can't say they're compelling, but I have two Windows-only progams that I use on a regular basis. Otherwise, I'd be a Mac-only operation. Whatever happened to the third vendor of virualization--um, Windows apps without Windows itself?

Except PCs are so prone to getting worms and viruses. It's like having a relationship with some one who sleeps around. You have to protect yourself to the hilt.

Well I am doing something even better. I had my IT department create a vitual PC in the server at my company an I install there all PC based programs. Then using remote desktop I connect to the server and use any PC based programs without violating my MAC with any windows programs. I feel better that way. I keep my MAC pure and MSFT out of it IT works great!

I agree in that there are not any real "compelling" programs on the Windows side-not enough to make me want a standalone PC anyway. However, there are a few things that I use that make having Windows available a plus. I do submit data for one project on an Access database. Although it was easy enough to find a pc at work to do this quarterly, it is more convenient to have it available on my primary machine (a macbook). Also, my local library, Netflix, CSTV, and others offer video and audio streams and files that are only work on the Windows side of things. Again, I prefer to use the Mac but having Windows readily available is a good thing.

I'm one of the forced Windows users, why, to use IE. That's it.

I have Office from 2000 and it still converts whatever. Word, excel (I don't use but have anyway)....... and all the forms/contracts are sent out in ....... TAKE A GUESS,

The Real Estate Association should be call "Microsoft's San Diego Board of Realtors".

Peter









TAKE A GUESS, "PDF"

" I'd bet some serious money that the number of people who REALLY, TRULY need Windows on their Macs is not that substantial."

I bet you'd be wrong. Windows still owns the business world and if it's often easier and necessary to use a Windows machine to work seemlessly in the work environment. I'm in the medical field and unfortunately our computer charting is Windows only. Parallels has saved me having to buy another PC laptop. I have parallels running almost 100% of the time and the real kicker is that MS office is MUCH faster in Parallels then it is on the Mac side.

To plan and customize a complex car or RV route, you can’t beat MS Streets and Trips. Not only is it more flexible and powerful than Google Maps, but you don’t need internet access to run it.

You can get a GPS antenna with it — USB connection. There are times when a big moving map on a real laptop screen with real computer controls beats a dedicated GPS nav unit. Streets and Trips was so much better than the Garmin GPS for our last 1000 mile RV trip.