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Up to Discussions in Windows On Mac
20 Replies Last post: Oct 9, 2007 10:10 PM by jgrover   1 2 Previous Next
Click to view John_Scott's profile New Member
John_Scott
46 posts since
Jun 13, 2007
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Aug 14, 2007 7:08 PM

Why so many install Windows on Mac??

I still am confused as too why so many try so hard to install Windows on a Mac? Did we not buy a Mac to get away from Windows and all it's security problems? Now I will admit I have tried Parallels with XP and also did the Boot Camp Beta with XP as well. I felt both ran OK. It was then I ask myself why did I install Windows on my Mac? For me at least It was simply because It could be done. Not because I needed Windows on my Mac. After all OS X has a web browser that does a good job. It has a Mail program and iWorks which is all I need to do documents. So I started to feel like the only reason I had to have Windows was the fact that it was the only OS I had used for years. It was a old friend so to speak. I then discovered that I had not totally embraced Mac, I still thought of it as a second choice. This is kinda sad for Mac and a kick in the pants for Steve Jobs. That the only way he has sold more Mac's is that people can run Windows on them now. So I am hoping I am wrong and that most first time user's will buy a Mac for it's outstanding products and software and not that it can run Windows. I have uninstalled everything related to Windows. I am truly going Mac. The next time I think I need Windows. I will look for a Mac solution instead.
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Click to view cyberhazard's profile Member
cyberhazard
552 posts since
Feb 8, 2002
1. Aug 14, 2007 7:55 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
OS X does many things, but it doesn't do everything. At least not without a little help from the darkside. As long as there is one Windows application with no Macintosh equivalent, somebody somewhere is going to want to run it. Why not take advantage of a system capable of running both. Many folks wish they could run OS X on their PC's. Be glad that you at least have a choice.
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Click to view MacosNerd's profile Member
MacosNerd
319 posts since
Jun 8, 2007
2. Aug 14, 2007 9:32 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
I need to, so I can do my job. This also helps me not need to have 2 computers in my home office. My Mac can do double duty.
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Click to view flyinmac's profile New Member
flyinmac
7 posts since
Feb 21, 2007
3. Aug 15, 2007 4:29 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
Primarily for work.

I work from home (remote access to the office servers).

I prefer the Mac for everything. But, the office is a technology solutions / staffing company. Basically, a client expresses a need, and the office puts one of their teams on the project to satisfy that need. Creating software, deploying solutions, creating procedures, whatever the client needs.

This often means working with documents in proprietary formats. And, working within the confines of what the client requires the data to work with. The client sets the expectation, and the company meets it and implements the solution.

So, if they want to use specific software, then we must use the same software when putting the solution together.

Right now I have a PC and a Mac sitting on my desk. And, the mess of wires, multiple keyboards, mice, monitors, networking cables, hard drives, flash drives, and so on to move files back and forth is driving me crazy.

I just ordered a new Mac Pro to enable me to yank everything from my desk and set one nice consolidated system in place.

The new Mac Pro will be running OS X 10.4.x and Windows Vista Ultimate.

And, I will finally only need one machine and one set of accessories.

Oh, and yes I know about Keyboard, Video, and Mice switches. But, that got cumbersome when I needed to use both machines simultaneously. Switching machines every 30 seconds with one of those gets annoying.

So, for some of us, the new Intel Macs are a great solution.

I had previously used Virtual PC and Windows XP on one of my G5 systems. But, it was a bit slow (and some programs wouldn't run at all in it).
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Click to view CheeseHead's profile Member
CheeseHead
168 posts since
Mar 16, 2002
4. Aug 15, 2007 6:21 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
Quote:<hr />
Did we not buy a Mac to get away from Windows and all it's security problems?

<hr />


No. I've been with the Mac since '89. The interface, functionality, hardware, and OS/App consistency is what got me hooked. I used Windows when I needed to, but never considered Windows as my primary OS, and it has nothing to do with resentment towards Microsoft. Without MS Office for the Mac I wouldn't have been able to my job and enjoy all those years using the Mac.

People no longer have to make sacrifices in order to switch to the Mac. They can still play their games and use software that's not available on the Mac. Lots of switchers have a huge investment in Windows software and it allows them to make the switch and migrate the apps over time. I installed Windows for testing web sites and databases on both platforms.
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Click to view FranksterOne's profile New Member
FranksterOne
109 posts since
Aug 18, 2007
5. Aug 18, 2007 1:25 PM in response to: flyinmac
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
flyin...

I did the same exact thing. I occasionally work from home and need pc access to our servers. The new Remote Desktop Client from MS surprisingly works well on the Mac. Also Outlook web access works fine also with SBC 2003. Drop me a pm if you need a hand with setup or anything. I have a smooth set up after working through a few bugs.

Quote:<hr />
Primarily for work.

I work from home (remote access to the office servers).

I prefer the Mac for everything. But, the office is a technology solutions / staffing company. Basically, a client expresses a need, and the office puts one of their teams on the project to satisfy that need. Creating software, deploying solutions, creating procedures, whatever the client needs.

This often means working with documents in proprietary formats. And, working within the confines of what the client requires the data to work with. The client sets the expectation, and the company meets it and implements the solution.

So, if they want to use specific software, then we must use the same software when putting the solution together.

Right now I have a PC and a Mac sitting on my desk. And, the mess of wires, multiple keyboards, mice, monitors, networking cables, hard drives, flash drives, and so on to move files back and forth is driving me crazy.

I just ordered a new Mac Pro to enable me to yank everything from my desk and set one nice consolidated system in place.

The new Mac Pro will be running OS X 10.4.x and Windows Vista Ultimate.

And, I will finally only need one machine and one set of accessories.

Oh, and yes I know about Keyboard, Video, and Mice switches. But, that got cumbersome when I needed to use both machines simultaneously. Switching machines every 30 seconds with one of those gets annoying.

So, for some of us, the new Intel Macs are a great solution.

I had previously used Virtual PC and Windows XP on one of my G5 systems. But, it was a bit slow (and some programs wouldn't run at all in it).

<hr />
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Click to view fspeirs's profile New Member
fspeirs
40 posts since
Oct 26, 2004
6. Aug 19, 2007 1:06 AM in response to: cyberhazard
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
Quote:<hr />
Many folks wish they could run OS X on their PC's. Be glad that you at least have a choice.

<hr />

Now there's a challenge for someone. Getting OS X to install on PCs.
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Click to view Typhoon14's profile Old Hand
Typhoon14
2,127 posts since
Feb 2, 2001
7. Aug 19, 2007 1:59 AM in response to: fspeirs
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
Quote:<hr />
Quote:<hr />
Many folks wish they could run OS X on their PC's. Be glad that you at least have a choice.

<hr />

Now there's a challenge for someone. Getting OS X to install on PCs.

<hr />


It's been done many times. Requires a number of hacks, and since Apple only has driver support for very specific hardware, it's not that useful.
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Click to view ShouldiUseMac's profile New Member
ShouldiUseMac
50 posts since
Nov 23, 2005
8. Aug 19, 2007 3:25 PM in response to: Typhoon14
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
screw windows
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Click to view mdawson's profile Old Hand
mdawson
2,761 posts since
Aug 31, 2004
9. Aug 19, 2007 5:00 PM in response to: fspeirs
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
Quote:<hr />
Now there's a challenge for someone. Getting OS X to install on PCs.

<hr />
As Typhoon14 already mentioned, it has been done, requires several hacks and is completely unsupported by Apple. In fact, it is also completely and utterly illegal. OS X is a package deal, so you either buy a Mac or you do not use OS X.

Apple has wisely opted out of offering an operating system for the myriad of PCs that can be purchased and exposing themselves to the myriad of problems that come from that marketing model. Windows utter lack of robustness stems partly from the fact that it is impossible for Microsoft to test their OS on every Wintel system in existence.

Porting something like UNIX across several platforms is easy as it is a fairly simple OS; hence its inherent lack of user-friendliness. Windows and OS X are complex operating systems and therefore less adaptable without considerable effort on the part of their developers. Apple controls the Mac platform and can guarantee which Macs a given version of OS X will work reliably on because they develop and have access to the all of hardware; Microsoft cannot make such claims outside of the systems they have purchased for in-house testing of Windows. Apple was also able to make a smooth transition from PowerPC to x86 because they developed OS X in parallel on both platforms from the beginning.

“Cannot run out of time. There is infinite time. You are finite. Zathras is finite. This is wrong tool.” 2.3GHz Power Mac G5/4GB/500GB HDD/OS X 10.4.11/30-inch ACD, 60GB iPod (Color)
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Click to view Tonecrafter's profile New Member
Tonecrafter
98 posts since
Jan 20, 2007
10. Aug 26, 2007 10:42 PM in response to: mdawson
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
I do it, because it makes life easier. lol The college work I do requires alot of winblows use, but it's nice to switch back to OSX when I want.
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Click to view JohnnyA's profile Member
JohnnyA
550 posts since
Apr 27, 2001
11. Aug 27, 2007 9:40 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
1. There are apps like MS Streets & Trips for Windows only that I simply like and rely on.
2. I prefer my iPaq 4705 over any other PDA. ActiveSync is the best way to connect and sync.
3. Frankly, it's a bit of a power trip. In one incredible Macbook Pro I have OS X on a hi-res 17" screen. And Windows, for any special needs - like reading books in .lit format, with a simple click on the Parallel Windows icon.
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Click to view happymac's profile Member
happymac
488 posts since
Aug 4, 2002
12. Sep 22, 2007 6:03 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
To play a whole slew of games not available on OS X.
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Click to view Martian's profile Enthusiast
Martian
1,298 posts since
Sep 27, 2001
13. Sep 22, 2007 8:34 PM in response to: John_Scott
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
Besides all the other reasons given (including Streets and Trips), I frequently send files to Windows using computer-illiterates. I can pre-test those files on Windows, and when a file recipient still has problems I can walk through those problems with my Windows. This saves lots of aggravation.
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Click to view happymac's profile Member
happymac
488 posts since
Aug 4, 2002
14. Sep 23, 2007 12:00 AM in response to: Martian
Re: Why so many install Windows on Mac??
I'd like to expand this topic (perhaps should be a new topic):
Besides Streets and Trips, what other Windows apps are considered 'must have) (or, even "killer")?
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