Mac enthusiasts - A question about laptops and Virtual PC

[StrongBad]

So it is almost time for me to buy a new laptop. I've been using PCs essentially since my first computer back in the 80's but bought a Mac G5 two years ago and have been completely sold on Macs.

I want to get a new laptop that is a Mac but one thing is making me hesitate. For my work I absolutely need to make use of a piece of software that is only written to work with PCs. So I'll need to buy a PC emulator with the Mac.

Now be honest will this make my software run all slow and cause it to crash? I'm kind of wary about plunking down all that money when such a key component of what I do is designed for PC.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

1. What is the program?

You need to use....

Although I do not run PC software on my Macbook Pro - I have been told that there is no problem: http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6484737.html

[StrongBad]

6. It's a program called Q-Charts

It's a charting software used to analyze financial data. The makers have only made the program compatible with PC :(

[Pierre.Suave]

2. You need parallels

If you get a new laptop with an intel chip,(this is VERY important) you can run windows natively with bootcamp, at which point there is no difference between the mac and a regular PC other than the mac is still nicer, or you can run parallels which will allow you to run both Mac OSX and WIN XP at the same time. It works great, I have helped 2 people use it for the same reasons you want to, and they both like it.

If you have any questions, ask away.

[StrongBad]

7. Is parallels the name of a program or does it refer to something else?

Thanks!

[Pierre.Suave]

10. Parallels is the software

that will allow you to run Win XP and Mac OSX at the same time.

http://www.parallels.com/en/landingpage/dskd13/?gclid=CJihjrTWuY8CFQHgPAodnBHCcQ

[Omphaloskepsis]

3. You have three options.

1. Parallels: Runs Windows in a window while OS X is running.

2. VMware Fusion: Works like Parallels.

3. BootCamp: You boot into XP or Vista. OS X is not running.

I have used all three and haven't had any problems with any of them. With BootCamp your software will work just like it does on XP. BootCamp is part of 10.5 so you don't need to buy anything other than a copy of Windows. Parallels is $79 + Windows and VMware is about the same. In BootCamp the speed will be the same as a PC with the same specs. The other two options will run your software at about 80% to 90% of their native speed. But you do have OS X and Windows running at the same time.

[StrongBad]

9. Awesome

Good Explanation. Thanks.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. I recently installed Parallels and XP on my MacBook

It works great! Am already running PC software, and it is really easy to install.

Also, the new version of Parallels is even easier to install. My son just put that one into one of his Macs, and loves it.

The only downside to Parallels is that it's a one-time install. You can't use it again on another Mac, meaning that if you get another Mac, you have to get another copy of Parallels.

[RebelOne]

5. I used a Mac with a virtual PC program with no problem.

[kedrys]

8. The new version of OS X has Boot Camp built into it

All you need is a copy of Windows XP or Vista.