[huhwhat75]

Need some advice. Sorry if this has already been answered new to forum. I have a macbook and I am using it for school. The problem is some of the discs I have to use for class only work with windows. 1. If I install windows xp or vista will it play those discs because right now the mac does not? 2. If I install bootcamp or one of the alternatives like parralels will it play the disc and will it function correctly? 3. I will need to use microsoft office. I have the mac version of office on my computer will using bootcamp or alternatives allow me to use the mac version of office and get access to it. I am assuming if I use boot camp and boot up to windows I will not have access to it but will I have access if I use one of the other alternatives like parells. Would using both bootcamp and one of the alternatives be best? Need help guys. Also do you thing I should use windows xp or just get windows vista and if so can any version of vista work?

[Typhoon14]

You'll be able to run any programme that requires Windows just find with any of the options you mentioned. That said, what exactly is on the discs that you are unable to run? Is it a programme?

If you use Boot Camp you can only be booted into one operating system at a time and will not be able to access any Mac programmes while booted into Windows. If you use a virtual machine like VMware or Parallels Desktop, you will be able to run Windows and Mac programmes side-by-side at the same time.

Based on what you want to do, running a virtual machine under VMware or Parallels is probably your best bet, as long as you don't mind paying about $70 (plus the cost of Windows) to get a copy.

Personally, for running under a virtual machine I would recommend Windows XP, simply because it uses far less system resources to run (and the image will take less hard drive space), but either one will work fine.

[chrislaf]

I'm using WinXP Pro (via VMware Fusion) on my black MacBook 2GHz right now to write this. It works great! The advantage of virtualization software such as Parallels and fusion is that you can run both at the same time and switch back and forth easily. I use spaces for this. Another advantage at least with Fusion is that you can take snapshots of your Windows installation so that if you mess up Windows some how you can just revert back to a prior snapshot. This is handy for trying out new software. You cannot do this with Bootcamp.

Also the virtual machine created by Fusion or Parallels expands to a maximum you set as your windows installation grows, so it doesn't tie up unused disk space. In bootcamp you set a partition size for Windows and that is how much space it takes regardless whether it is all used or not.

Hope this helps.

Chris

[SSGoku]

huhwhat75 said:

I will need to use microsoft office. I have the mac version of office on my computer will using bootcamp or alternatives allow me to use the mac version of office and get access to it.

The Mac version of MS Office will only work on Mac OS X. It will not work in Windows via Bootcamp and it will not work in Windows via virtualization.

If you want to use MS Office within Windows, you're going to need to buy the Windows version of MS Office. However; the files created with the Mac version of MS Office are completely compatible with the Windows version of MS Office. Unless you require Macros or an app like MS Access you're completely fine using the Mac version of MS Office within Mac OS X.

[rab777hp]

Consider buying CodeWeavers' $40 CrossOver (codeweavers.com) it lets you install some windows programs on your mac by making the program think that windows is installed.

[Leto_Parallels]

Whether you're running Windows within Boot Camp or a virtual machine like Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac; Windows will work as though it was on its own computer, totally overlooking the fact that it's on a Mac. The difference between Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop for Mac is that PDfM 4.0 will let you share folders between Mac OS X and Windows. You'll also be able to swap devices between OS X and Windows as you need them in different programs.



So as for your Windows disc, you'd be able to attach your Mac's CD-ROM to the Windows virtual machine, load the software in Windows, and keep using whatever programs you had open in OS X at the same time.



Looks likeTyphoon14, chrislaf, SSGoku and KPO'M have pretty much covered everything. The feature chrislaf was referring to, Snapshots, is also available in Desktop for Mac. It's one of a few cool things possible through virtualization that physical partitions aren't able to do.

[Leto_Parallels]

Oopsie - double post

[Leto_Parallels]

Cripes, make that triple-post

[macusr]

Hi,

thank you for the answers posted, they've been very helpful also for my dilemma, though I'm left with a question:

Which Windows XP version should I install? XP Home or Pro?

I have an iMac Core Duo with 2GB RAM and my main purpose to use Windows on Mac is to run CDs containing a programme not suitable for Mac.

Any help is appreciated, bye.

[chrislaf]

XP home version is probably all you will need. I have the Pro version on my laptop because I need more of the networking features that are available in this version. If you are just running CD's XP home will be fine.

Chris

[macusr]

Thanks for the prompt reply.