Windows On Apple?

[Tekster]

What is the best way to run Windows on a Mac? I see there is Boot Camp, VMware Fusion and Parallels Workstation; which one is the best?

Also, should I get Windows Vista or XP, is one running better than the other?

[Cleo]

For just looking at web pages in IE and movies in WMP I use Crossover.

I also have Parallels which is great if you need full Windows support but since about all I need is to check my pages I rarely use it anymore.

[T Pat]

Hey TA I don't know anything about Mac's, but personally I prefer XP over Vista.
I had to buy a new computer a few months ago and it took some searching to find a new computer with XP but I got one

[Tekster]

Originally Posted by T Pat

... personally I prefer XP over Vista....

I also like XP, and I don't know anything about Vista, so if I need it I will stick with XP.

[Tekster]

Originally Posted by Cleo

...I use Crossover....

Thanks Cleo, I never heard about Crossover until now. I just looked at their web page and that looks great, especially since it does not need Windows. Just what I am looking for.

Any limitations with Crossover, it looks like it would run just about any Windows program.

[Cleo]

Crossover is slow to launch but once IE and WMP are open they run fine. It doesn't run everything but just select programs. See their site for supported programs. Just because a program isn't listed doesn't mean it wont run. WMP is not listed but runs fine.

Parallels (I'm using the less expensive version) runs real Windows so it will run everything and you can also install other OSs. Parallels is fast too but a resource hog. I have XP, Ubuntu Linux, and Debian Linux installed in Parallels.

I've never used Boot Camp but if you want to run Windows games it would be the way to go.

For my needs (testing my stuff under Windows) Crossover is all that I need. You can download it and use it for 30 days and then just buy a serial if you like it.

[swedguy]

I've tried both Boot Camp and Parallels and Parallels is definitely better.
I have XP installed under Parallels.

I haven't heard about CrossOver before either. Thanks Cleo

[LD]

Originally Posted by T Pat

Hey TA I don't know anything about Mac's, but personally I prefer XP over Vista.
I had to buy a new computer a few months ago and it took some searching to find a new computer with XP but I got one

Yeah, me too. I bought a laptop back in Nov last year with Vista. I've had plenty of time to get used to it, but I can still get around better in XP. I think Vista helped sell a lot of Macs...

Sorry, Tek..got a little sidetracked there.

[chelo - acw]

Vista will drive you mad with all its security questions. I'll stick to XP.

Though there's one thing that it's keeping me worried and that is that hardware developers are not putting out XP drivers for new laptops. The ones which come with Vista installed.

I just hope this changes 'cause I really don't see the real advantages in Windows Vista yet and I want a new laptop!

[Tekster]

Originally Posted by Cleo

Crossover is slow to launch but once IE and WMP are open they run fine. It doesn't run everything but just select programs. See their site for supported programs. Just because a program isn't listed doesn't mean it wont run. WMP is not listed but runs fine.

What versions of WMP and IE are you using? I tried to install the latest available from Microsoft but it does not work. I got some error messages about needing SP2 for Win XP.

[Cleo]

Here you go

[Tekster]

Thanks Cleo, that worked.