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13 Replies Last post: May 8, 2008 10:47 AM by GregGK

rkolling

6 posts since
Apr 14, 2008

Apr 14, 2008 11:57 AM

Newbie question

I am currently in the market for a macbook because I want to wean myself from windows. I have quite a bit of software that runs only on windows, but I have a home network. I am hoping that if I install a version of windows on my macbook that I can run the applications via remote desktop connection.

Anyone see any problems? Any advice? Is Parallels or VMware the best to instal?

Thanks for any help.

Bob K.

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

1. Apr 14, 2008 12:16 PM

in response to: rkolling

Re: Newbie question

rkolling wrote:
I am currently in the market for a macbook because I want to wean myself from windows. I have quite a bit of software that runs only on windows, but I have a home network. I am hoping that if I install a version of windows on my macbook that I can run the applications via remote desktop connection.

Anyone see any problems? Any advice? Is Parallels or VMware the best to instal?

Thanks for any help.

Bob K.

I am not sure what you are after.

Are you asking if you could install Windoze on your Mac and then access it using a remote desktop program from another computer? If so, then I would first ask why? Why would you not just use Windoze directly on the Macbook rather than through the network? If you want to do it, then it can be done.

If you have Windoze programs that you need to run on a Mac, then you can do Windoze in Bootcamp or in either Parallels or Fusion. If you don't mind rebooting and want the best performance for your Windoze programs (or if any of them are seriously graphically intensive programs), then Bootcamp is the better choice. If you don't want to have to reboot the computer to get to the Windoze programs and you are not running programs that need full access to high end graphics hardware (i.e. games and maybe 3D modelling programs), then running Windoze in a virtual envrionment (aka Parallels or Fusion) would be the better choice. As to Parallels vs. Fusion...that is kind of like choosing between Coke and Pepsi. They basically are rather similar, but have some slightly different weaknesses and strengths.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

rkolling

6 posts since
Apr 14, 2008

2. Apr 14, 2008 12:35 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: Newbie question

Thanks,

I already have the windows programs on my network server and would like to access and run them from the macbook via remote desktop.

I think you answered my question. Another one, though? Can Bootcamp and Parallels be installed at the same time? Would you want to do this? I'm thinking that using Bootcamp would be nice when running high-end graphics programs (like CS3), but for day-to-day useage Parallels would be better.

Sorry for the newbie stuff, but I have been using windows forever and have 4 computers running windows, but do not want to upgrade to Vista and I am also tired of having to run/pay for all the security software needed to keep it clean. I want to begin migrating to apple, but not all at once.

Thanks for your help and patience.

Bob K.

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

3. Apr 14, 2008 12:44 PM

in response to: rkolling

Re: Newbie question

rkolling wrote:
Thanks,

I already have the windows programs on my network server and would like to access and run them from the macbook via remote desktop.

Thanks for your help and patience.

Bob K.

Yes, you can install both Bootcamp and Parallels (or Fusion)...that is precisely how my MacBook Pro is setup. You can even use the Bootcamp partition in Parallels (I believe Fusion can do that same thing, but not 100% sure). I use Parallels for most stuff (I have structural engineering appications that are Windoze only which run fine in Parallels, even with the stupid USB hardware copy protection dongle), but use Bootcamp for things like games (you know...when you need to blow off some steam and kick back and relax).

Now, if you are talking about running the Windoze programs on your server, then I believe that there are version of remote desktop that will run on the Mac OS but allow you to connect to a Windoze computer. In otherwords, leave the Windoze stuff all on the Windoze box and only access by remote desktop. The downside of this mode would be speed issues...some programs don't run well over networks.

If you install Windoze on the Mac (whether Parallels or Fusion or Bootcamp), then it is for all intends and purposed a Windoze box. Thus, you will need the full battery of security stuff, but it will work just like a Windoze computer. The exception is that there are some limitations for virtual modes (i.e. Parallels or Fusion)...some things might not work well or at all. But, Bootcamp is basically no different than having a Dell laptop running Windoze...the only difference is that it is an Apple laptop running Windoze.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

rkolling

6 posts since
Apr 14, 2008

4. Apr 14, 2008 12:57 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: Newbie question

Thanks - souds great.

Bob K.

Typhoon14

2,128 posts since
Feb 2, 2001

5. Apr 14, 2008 10:37 PM

in response to: rkolling

Re: Newbie question

I'm confused. If you want to install Windows on your mac to run your applications, you can certainly do so, but I don't see why you would need to use Remote Desktop…unless of course, you mean you want to continue to run Windows on your old system but control it from your Macbook. This seems a little strange to me, but you could accomplish it easily enough with a VNC client and server, of which there are plenty of free ones. You would not need to install Windows on your Macbook at all to accomplish this.

rkolling

6 posts since
Apr 14, 2008

6. Apr 15, 2008 5:25 AM

in response to: Typhoon14

Re: Newbie question

Let me re-state my situation....

I currently have a home wireless network set up with 4 Windows PC's. Most of my software applications (MS Word, Excell, etc) are loaded on one ('network server') desktop. I can access and run these apps from any laptop wirelessly using a windows program called 'remote desktop'

I want to buy and add a macbook to the network and eventually wean off of windows and migrate the windows pc's to macs down the road. In the meantime, I still want to run some of these windows apps from my mac. No problem. I understand that I can do this via Botcamp, Parallels, or VMware Fusion. I want to begin adding software to the mac (Photoshop CS3 or Dreamweaver CS3, or Office, etc.) but then access these programs from one or more of my WIndows pc's until the conversin is complete. Can I load something on my windows computer similar to Parallel or VMware to acces the mac. From the mac to windows is fine, but what about the other way?

I hope this make my situation somewhat clearer. Thanks.

Martian

1,313 posts since
Sep 27, 2001

7. Apr 15, 2008 5:58 AM

in response to: rkolling

Re: Newbie question

While you are weaning, why not try the free NeoOffice? It might run faster than running MS Office over the network, and it may have all the features and compatibility you need.

rkolling

6 posts since
Apr 14, 2008

8. Apr 15, 2008 6:04 AM

in response to: Martian

Re: Newbie question

Thanks,

I will also be adding some very expensive Adobe software - Photoshop CS3, Dreamweaver CS3, etc. If this is going to be a problem, then it won't be worth the effort.

I do not want to migrate to Vista and am tired of screwing around with and paying for virus software, so I thought the mac would be the way to go, but if I can't migrate at my own pace, then I will learn to live with the boat anchor of gates.

Thanks

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

9. Apr 15, 2008 6:44 AM

in response to: rkolling

Re: Newbie question

rkolling wrote:
Let me re-state my situation....

I currently have a home wireless network set up with 4 Windows PC's. Most of my software applications (MS Word, Excell, etc) are loaded on one ('network server') desktop. I can access and run these apps from any laptop wirelessly using a windows program called 'remote desktop'

I want to buy and add a macbook to the network and eventually wean off of windows and migrate the windows pc's to macs down the road. In the meantime, I still want to run some of these windows apps from my mac. No problem. I understand that I can do this via Botcamp, Parallels, or VMware Fusion. I want to begin adding software to the mac (Photoshop CS3 or Dreamweaver CS3, or Office, etc.) but then access these programs from one or more of my WIndows pc's until the conversin is complete. Can I load something on my windows computer similar to Parallel or VMware to acces the mac. From the mac to windows is fine, but what about the other way?

I hope this make my situation somewhat clearer. Thanks.

If you are going with the Mac versions of those programs, then you can use Timbuktu Pro to access the Mac from a Windoze PeeCee. I would assume there are other options...maybe even free VPN clients, but I have not messed around with that stuff enough to know.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

GregGK

7 posts since
Apr 1, 2007

10. May 7, 2008 1:34 PM

in response to: rkolling

Re: Newbie question

may I add to the question above, if I run windoze softwares on Mac using paralel, will my mac suffer degrading speed?

thanks

Typhoon14

2,128 posts since
Feb 2, 2001

11. May 7, 2008 6:55 PM

in response to: GregGK

Re: Newbie question

It would be better to search or put in a new thread.

Virtualization will use a lot of memory and a variable amount of CPU power depending on what you are running in the virtual machine. There will be definitely be some performance hit when the virtual machine is running. How much will largely depend on how much RAM you have installed on your mac. I recommend 3-4 gigs for good performance using a virtual machine and mac environment simultaneously.

smax013

1,520 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

12. May 8, 2008 6:41 AM

in response to: GregGK

Re: Newbie question

GregGK wrote:may I add to the question above, if I run windoze softwares on Mac using paralel, will my mac suffer degrading speed?

thanks

Kind of depending on what you mean by "my mac suffer degrading speed".

If you are talking about will the Mac in general slow down on the "Mac side of things", then what Typhoon14 offered is on point...it will depend on how much memory you have and how much many Mac programs you are using at the same time. I agree in principle with him that more memory is better, but I run Parallels with no much overall performance hit on my Mac apps with only 2 GB of memory (the max that my 1st Gen MacBook Pro can have installed). I run Parallels set to use 1 GB of memory and can still do most of my typical Mac side applications just fine. If I get wild and run a bunch of Mac programs while using Parallels, then things can get slow.

If you are talking about the speed of Windoze in Parallels, then yes, you will find that Windoze in Parallels (and I assume Fusion as well) will be slower than if you ran Windoze in Bootcamp. Like it or not, you are going through more than one single "layer" of "stuff" to get to the hardware. While in a lot of things, it is not that bad of a performance hit, especially compared to the old emulation software like Virtual PC, there is still a performance hit. Thus, if you want the most "blazing" speed possible for Windoze, then run it in Bootcamp.

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

GregGK

7 posts since
Apr 1, 2007

13. May 8, 2008 10:47 AM

in response to: smax013

Re: Newbie question

thanks for the advice guys

recently I've been looking for windoze laptop coz I'm working as season forex trader and none of this trader platforms offered in mac machines. Currently, I'm using imac G5 which I can't run windoze on it. Thus, rather than upgrading my old imac to new imac, I'm thinking of buying macbook/macbook pro to accommodate my work.

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This Question is Possibly Answered

Apr 14, 2008 11:57 AM

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