Windows on a Mac

[Quaddog]

I’m sure this has been covered before but I’m looking for the best way to run windows programs on a Mac laptop. I’ve not taken deliivery of laptop yet but I have a couple of business programs which only run on windows. There’s plenty of info out there if you google but I wondered what most people did. Do I have to buy a program like Parallels, and also buy a windows license?

 

[PSQ]

Parallels, or Bootcamp on a separate partition on the HD. You then choose which one to start when the computer boots up.

I can’t abide Parallels, running windows (badly) and Mac OS on the same screen does my head in, as does archiving windows and Mac files together on the same HD.

 

[Turnip]

Could also just run a computer in the cloud that has Windows as OS and run your programs on there, then connect to it using a remote desktop program.

 

[Wheatland]

I get on Ok with Parallels, I only use it to run the desktop version of my crop software, otherwise all Mac

 

[JimAndy]

can the new mac with the M1 chip run windows ?

 

[Quaddog]

can the new mac with the M1 chip run windows ?

Good point, I’m hoping so. Supposed to be progress.

 

[Dry Rot]

I'm on my fourth Mac and will never buy another. Or another Apple for that matter. Utterly fed up with the built in obsolescence. Surely Windows can't be this bad?

 

[Quaddog]

I'm on my fourth Mac and will never buy another. Or another Apple for that matter. Utterly fed up with the built in obsolescence. Surely Windows can't be this bad?

I’m surprised to hear that, I’m moving the other way. I thought Macs had a good reputation for longevity. I’ve had a couple of laptops in the past which went pop and I lost my stuff. Have iPhone and iPad so I’m thinking they will all sync together.

 

[Dry Rot]

I’m surprised to hear that, I’m moving the other way. I thought Macs had a good reputation for longevity. I’ve had a couple of laptops in the past which went pop and I lost my stuff. Have iPhone and iPad so I’m thinking they will all sync together.

Yes, they are strongly built but maybe I have bad luck. The constant upgrading is driving me up the wall. I do video, so learnt Final Cut Pro 4, which was replaced by 7, then X, now using iMovie which has changed several times (vs.6 apparently the best but not now compatible and I think we are up to vs. 11!) -- not for the better. Just so I have to buy -- now rent -- the latest software. I wouldn't mind so much if they improved!

 

[JimAndy]

windows is just as bad, ive had programs appear on my desktop cause microsoft thinks i should have them, and programs disappear cause microsoft thinks i shouldn't have them, truthfully i'm on the verge of swapping to linux

 

[rollestonpark]

I've been on linux mint for years. Not great of course if your hooked into windows programs, but we run most stuff cloud based now, so makes no difference to us.

Would never run windows again now I'm on linux.
Windows 10 is spyware anyway, just like apple and android phones are.
All your windows data ends up for sale by microsoft. Like what you buy, your emails, websites you visit/buy from etc etc.

 

[Cowabunga]

I’m surprised to hear that, I’m moving the other way. I thought Macs had a good reputation for longevity. I’ve had a couple of laptops in the past which went pop and I lost my stuff. Have iPhone and iPad so I’m thinking they will all sync together.

My 2011 iMac runs fine. Currently it is a secondary machine and mostly runs as a second screen for my newer iMac although it is fully functional in its own right. The screen flickers slightly when first booted up until it has warmed a bit but otherwise actually works better than when it was new. It was used very intensively and hardly ever switched off for over nine years and still looks like new today although the magic keyboard has a few of the key identifying texts worn off due to use.
The one I'm using just now is a 2019 model very high specification one that has already had a couple of operating system updates and security updates. The old one stopped having OS updates a good few years ago but still gets security updates occasionally and still works and runs apps fine. I upgraded the 4GB RAM in it to 12GB some three years ago and that made a massive improvement to performance when running with multiple apps and windows and tabs open.
Apple OS and app upgrades are free and for the most part pain free. Having said that I had my first real upgrade issue a couple of weeks ago when Big Sur was upgraded to Monterey and my files wouldn't reload. Had to figure out how to start it in safe mode and reload everything apart from the OS from the external drive that holds the standard Time Machine backups. Took hardly any time at all after a bit of initial head scratching and slight trepidation. Has worked perfectly ever since. This kind of thing was regular with various Windows versions over the years and for no apparent reason.

They are a dream compared to the Windows laptops I used to use extensively and still have upstairs. I do have W10 on this machine running on Bootcamp but very seldom use the Windows partition. I mean, not using it for months at a time and only have some legacy files and documents on it for occasional reference, copied from the old laptops.

 

[sheldenwhobrey]

Running Windows programs on a Mac is a common need, and you've got a few options. You can indeed go for software like Parallels or VMware Fusion, which creates a virtual Windows environment on your Mac. You'll need a Windows license for this, and you can find legit keys on sites like https://digitalchillmart.com/product/windows-11-pro-32-64-bit/Another option is Boot Camp, which comes with your Mac and lets you install Windows directly on a separate partition. It's a bit more involved but doesn't require additional software. It really depends on your preferences and how often you'll use Windows apps.

 

[GarMan]

Oracle Virtualbox - https://www.virtualbox.org/

 

[Brisel]

I used to get on ok with Parallels but the Mac was a good spec processor and had a decent RAM of 8 GB.

Now that Windows and PCs have caught up to Apple for graphics, I fail to see the benefit of a Mac unless running Apple gear for phones, iPads etc.