Windows Emulator?

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Level 1

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Windows Emulator?

This question was asked and answered last September on here by someone else. However, that answer was related to a Powerbook G4 and I didn't understand the response in terms of my MacBook Pro. So, with your indulgence, I'd like to ask the question again and hopefully understand my options better.

"
Hi,

To emulate Windows as described below, do I need a virtual Windows software or is there a setting I can use?
Quote:
IBD Charts are viewable on a Macintosh computer if it is configured to emulate a 32-bit Windows environment (either hardware or software format). The only requirement is an emulation processor speed of 133 MHz or greater.
Unquote
"

Short of buying a PC with a Windows operating system, what are my other options? Feel free to "dumb down" your response as I'm a bit "tech slow" when it comes to these types of specifics.

Also, no need to mention the option of petitioning IBD (Investor's Business Daily) to allow a Mac connection. I'll probably do that one anyway!

Thanks in advance!

MacBookPro2,2, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on May 13, 2008 6:57 AM

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Answer 1

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

May 13, 2008 7:00 AM in response to John Finerty

Buy a copy of Windows XP and install it under Boot Camp on your MBP. Or, if you don't want to have to reboot to go into Windows, buy a copy of Windows XP, buy a copy of Parallels or VM Fusion, and install them on your MBP.

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Answer 2

May 13, 2008 7:01 AM in response to John Finerty

hi John!

All you need to run windows on your macbook pro would be a retail version of windows xp sp2 or higher. With that you will be able to install windows through bootcamp where you will be allowed to choose whether you would like to boot into windows or os x upon start up. If you would like to run windows inside of OS X you would need to purchase an emulator such as Parallels or VMware fusion.

Billy

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Answer 3

May 13, 2008 7:01 AM in response to John Finerty

You can use Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion to run Windows on a Mac. Or you can use Apple's own Boot Camp software to boot your computer into Windows.

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Answer 4

John Finerty Author

Level 1

0 points

May 13, 2008 7:25 AM in response to John Finerty

I appreciate the prompt responses. I don't know which one to respond to as each of you seemed to suggest Parallels or Fusion. As they both appear to be the same price ($79), I'm wondering which one is better? I've obviously never used or even seen either one.

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Answer 5

May 13, 2008 7:34 AM in response to John Finerty

First off, thanks for checking old posts for a solution first!

Just to flesh out the answers above a little bit, in the previous post you found, PowerBooks were based on PowerPC processors (Motorola/IBM) and needed software emulation to run in a Windows-like (the primary example of that was Microsoft's VirtualPC). The MacBooks/MBPs use Intel processors, the same kind used in Windows-based PCs. Thus, emulation is no longer required, and you can run Windows directly.

With the Boot Camp solution, where you boot your MBP into Windows, your MBP is a high end PC running Windows (albeit a better quality machine 😉 ). With the Parallels/VMware options, those are 'virtual machines' that allow you to run the Windows environment from within the Mac OS.

Hope this helps...

EDIT: For some discussions of Parallels vs. VMware, look here , here , or here.

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Answer 6

John Finerty Author

Level 1

0 points

May 13, 2008 7:40 AM in response to neuroanatomist

I thought I understood how these things worked before reading some of those follow-up links. I appreciate the information. But now I'm a little bit confused. If I choose Fusion or Parallels, do I still have to buy the Windows OS? The only time I can remember using an "emulator" was a Nintendo emulator. Obviously, I didn't have Nintendo Entertainment System running on my computer. But, I was able to play old Nintendo games on the computer directly through the emulator.

...I already warned that I'm a little slow...

So, I assumed a Windows emulator would be a fully-functional piece of software. I assumed I could buy that software ($79) and instantly view these charts which require a 32-bit Windows setting. Is this the case? Or, does the software merely allow me to run multiple OS's in the same session without a reboot, but I will still need to actually have/host a copy of the other OS on that machine?

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Answer 7

May 13, 2008 8:38 AM in response to John Finerty

you will still have to have a retail copy of windows xp service pack 2 or newer.

using either vmware fusion of parallels only give you the ability to run multiple OS-es inside of OS X. Unfortunately it does not provide the operating systems. So you will need to buy a retail version of windows and the software. or go the cheaper route and use bootcamp for free.

Billy

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Answer 8

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

May 13, 2008 8:41 AM in response to John Finerty

Just a note that to run Boot Camp you'll need to update to Leopard OS 10.5.x.

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Answer 9

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

May 13, 2008 8:51 AM in response to sig

Just a note that to run Boot Camp you'll need to update to Leopard OS 10.5.x.

and you need to download the latest Boot Camp updates to be able to run XP SP3 without problems.

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Answer 10

May 13, 2008 9:04 AM in response to Billydelp4

You might also consider CrossOver, which can run the Windows environment without requiring you to purchase Windows. However, the list of applications that work well with this solution is not terribly long.

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Answer 11

May 13, 2008 9:08 AM in response to John Finerty

The commercial solutions, VMware and Parallels, are the most feature complete. They offer all the bells and whistles. If you just want the ability to boot Windows in a virtual machine, you can also take a look at VirtualBox, which can be found for free.

It has networking support, but does not have USB or sound. That means no Windows media, or connecting an external drive. You can set up shared folders between the Windows virtual machine, and the Mac. You will still need a copy of Windows.

For simple needs, it can be a solution. For anything more complex, the VMware/Parallels route is better.

Steve

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