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Which Windows OS is best for basic operations

This may be a repeated post, but I can not find the answer anywhere. I need to install Windows for very minor application usage. Mainly for Internet Explorer. I will be using boot camp, at least for now. What is everyone's take on which OS to use?

iMac 2.4, Macbook 2.4, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 25, 2009 2:03 PM

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Posted on Feb 25, 2009 2:28 PM

If all you need is IE, you might want to try CrossOver. The IE it supports is an older version (6) but it may be sufficient. If it works, you won't need to install any version of Windows at all.
11 replies

Feb 26, 2009 8:11 AM in response to Steven Zaveloff

It is my understanding that you will have difficulty trying to install XP if it does not include the bundled SP2 or SP3 on the disk with the XP (due to a requirement in OS X) You can use a version of XP that is not bundled with SP2/SP3 by "slipstreaming" the Service Pack. You will need to search these discussions using the keyword slipstreaming or slipstream to find advice on how to do it. Or Google it. As far as I know it is not possible to just install the XP and then update to the service packs afterwards as you would on a PC.

Feb 26, 2009 8:56 AM in response to brilehnhof

I would try using the free Sun VirtualBox VM. Use XP (and some AV etc) I would upgrade to SP3 or buy full version.

It won't run as well as native, but it will run. Upgrading to IE8 may limit your ability to roll back to older version of IE, so you might actually want to run more than one VM.

Apple's Boot Camp support has the requirements.
http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Feb 28, 2009 5:34 AM in response to mac os x 10.2.8

mac os x 10.2.8 wrote:
windows 98 or xp would fine for your mac but xp is better


Recommending as "fine" an obsolete OS like Windows 98 is unwise. Besides the obvious security risk, it is designed for the needs of an earlier era. Just because it has a smaller foot print and can handle basic tasks like email and word processing does not make up for the fact that Win 98 is a significant security risk compared to more modern OS's

Which Windows OS is best for basic operations

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