What is the best way to run Windows programs on Macs?
 

Do I want to get something that can run programs without having to install Windows first like Crossover, or do I want something like Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, and VirtualBox?

Anyone here have experience with any of these and a recommendation? Thanks.

VMWare gets my vote

I use Parallels.

Are you an experienced Mac user who rents yo run a specific Windows program, or are you a Windows user switching to Mac?

If the latter, the best answer in most cases is "use Mac programs, not Windows programs". There is a learning curve to using different software from what you are accustomed to, but it's worth it.

I am assuming here that the Mac desktop isn't far behind the Linux desktop in application support, software quality, etc. We've used Linux for over a decade. How do we run Windows programs? The answer is that we've never had any need to run Windows software. Linux software is more stable, almost always open, and fits much better with the Linux computing model. Given that Mac circa 1998 was at least as good as Windows 2008, I figure the same applies to Mac. Unless of course you have to run one very specific special purpose application, like if you had a Windows client custom built for your CMS rather than using a web based admin.

Bootcamp is the best way to go about running Windows on your Mac.

If you have to run Windows from within OSX, VMWare Fusion is hands down the best available product. But booting into Windows is by far your best bet.

VMWare or you can try CrossOver for some programs

Bootcamp for me. I tried the others and Bootcamp performed the best. I run a clean, stripped down XP on a Macbook Pro. I can render videos or do whatever I need. Of course this is not my only machine, but it's how I use my Mac.

That said, it is not without glitches. Every now and then I'll update something, like a Windows update, and it will have to be restarted because it locks up the system.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

http://www.printroot.com/forum/attac...ktop-7-mac-jpg

Parallels +1

Check out the http://www.parallels.com/ website. They offer a free trial.

ADG