Kuler
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: TRANSFER Windows Software question

I want to replace my Windows laptop with a MacbookPro 15”inch.

However I have some expensive software on my Windows laptop (including Dreamweaver) and don’t have the money to buy the Apple versions.

Is there any way I can transfer any existing software onto a Macbook ?

 

Thanks

 

Kuler

Posted on Jul 25, 2013 4:59 AM

by ds store,Solvedanswer
ds store ds store
Level 7 (30,400 points)
A:

Kuler wrote:

 

I want to replace my Windows laptop with a MacbookPro 15”inch.

 

However I have some expensive software on my Windows laptop (including Dreamweaver) and don’t have the money to buy the Apple versions.

 

If you can't buy the Apple versions of the software, you really shouldn't be buying a Mac in the first place.

 

Mac's are like fancy cars, expensive to buy and maintain. Everything for them costs more money.

 

On top of it, the operating system changes every 1-1.5 years or so (unlike the 10 years with Windows versions), which requires you to upgrade or buy new versions of third party software and Apple uses software to force a higher hardware turnover rate.

 

In fact the AppStore will only display software for the current operating system version, no older ones your machine may later be stuck on.

 

I never advise a Mac for anyone who is concerned about costs or is on a budget.

 

Since most Mac users have to use some sort of Windows software eventually, many of us are already running Windows on our machines in BootCamp or virtual machine software, which costs more as it's a seperate license, not included on the machine like with a new PC.

 

Windows in BootCamp or Virtual Machine?

 

 

You might rather decide to get a less expensive lightweight Mac laptop (or iPad) for portable and Internet needs, for it's better security.

 

Then a Windows 7 tower for the expensive Adobe and other software as you can get 10 years of life out of the hardware and Windows versions without being force upgraded. You can transfer your present software to the Windows tower and not pay anything, just tell Adboe your machine died and you got a new PC and need to transfer the license to it.

 

Laptops are bad for the fact that their turnover rate is high, and with Apple coming out with new OS X versions so often, requires buying all new versions of third party software/upgrades a LOT more often than on Windows machines.

 

So I see a lightwieght laptop or iPad, plus a Windows tower as your best option to not having to pay for all new software.

 

Good Luck

Posted on Jul 25, 2013 9:37 AM

Close
Kuler

Q: TRANSFER Windows Software question

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by hansknapp,

    hansknapp hansknapp Jul 25, 2013 5:24 AM in response to Kuler
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 5:24 AM in response to Kuler

    Hey,

     

    Yes of course you can !

     

    You can buy Windows 7 or Windows 8 and install this with bootcamp software in mac, after this you will have the option to chose your operating system by pressing the option key to select the os you like to start with

     

    or you can buy parallels for mac to run these things virtual, but i like a stand alone os...

     

    regards

  • by The hatter,

    The hatter The hatter Jul 25, 2013 6:01 AM in response to Kuler
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 6:01 AM in response to Kuler

    Mac 101: Using Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp

    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461

    Boot Camp: Frequently asked questions about installing Windows 8

    Summary

    Learn more about how Mac computers can run Windows 8 using Boot Camp 5.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5628

     

    Products Affected

    Boot Camp, Windows 8

    General installation questions

    What is Boot Camp 5?
    Boot Camp 5 is not a release of OS X software. Rather, it is a release of the Windows Support Software (drivers). You will need to use this software on your Mac with Windows 8 or Windows 7. For more information on Boot Camp 5, see this article.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5639

    Which Macs support Windows 8?

    • MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or newer)
    • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
    • Mac Pro (Early 2009 or newer)
    • Mac Mini (Mid 2011 or newer)
    • iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010 or Mid 2011 or newer)

    For more information, see this article.

    What are the System Requirements for Windows 8?
    Please see this article.

    How can I install Windows 8 on an eligible computer?
    Use the Boot Camp Assistant. The assistant will partition your internal hard drives and install Windows 8. For more information on Windows 8 installation, see the Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide.

     

    please visit www.apple.com/support/bootcamp

     

    MacBook Series Forums
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks?view=discussions
    http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro 

    Mac OS X Forum
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions

  • by ds store,Solvedanswer

    ds store ds store Jul 25, 2013 9:37 AM in response to Kuler
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 9:37 AM in response to Kuler

    Kuler wrote:

     

    I want to replace my Windows laptop with a MacbookPro 15”inch.

     

    However I have some expensive software on my Windows laptop (including Dreamweaver) and don’t have the money to buy the Apple versions.

     

    If you can't buy the Apple versions of the software, you really shouldn't be buying a Mac in the first place.

     

    Mac's are like fancy cars, expensive to buy and maintain. Everything for them costs more money.

     

    On top of it, the operating system changes every 1-1.5 years or so (unlike the 10 years with Windows versions), which requires you to upgrade or buy new versions of third party software and Apple uses software to force a higher hardware turnover rate.

     

    In fact the AppStore will only display software for the current operating system version, no older ones your machine may later be stuck on.

     

    I never advise a Mac for anyone who is concerned about costs or is on a budget.

     

    Since most Mac users have to use some sort of Windows software eventually, many of us are already running Windows on our machines in BootCamp or virtual machine software, which costs more as it's a seperate license, not included on the machine like with a new PC.

     

    Windows in BootCamp or Virtual Machine?

     

     

    You might rather decide to get a less expensive lightweight Mac laptop (or iPad) for portable and Internet needs, for it's better security.

     

    Then a Windows 7 tower for the expensive Adobe and other software as you can get 10 years of life out of the hardware and Windows versions without being force upgraded. You can transfer your present software to the Windows tower and not pay anything, just tell Adboe your machine died and you got a new PC and need to transfer the license to it.

     

    Laptops are bad for the fact that their turnover rate is high, and with Apple coming out with new OS X versions so often, requires buying all new versions of third party software/upgrades a LOT more often than on Windows machines.

     

    So I see a lightwieght laptop or iPad, plus a Windows tower as your best option to not having to pay for all new software.

     

    Good Luck

  • by Network 23,

    Network 23 Network 23 Jul 25, 2013 11:49 AM in response to Kuler
    Level 6 (12,043 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 25, 2013 11:49 AM in response to Kuler

    Kuler wrote:

     

    However I have some expensive software on my Windows laptop (including Dreamweaver)

    If it is a CS6 version Adobe has reportedly allowed customers to side-grade to the other platform for a small fee. The other option is their Creative Cloud subscription allows 2 installations on Mac or PC.

     

    Running your Windows software in a virtual machine is an OK short-term solution, but will feel inconvenient in the long term. If you use a virtual machine be sure you have upgraded the RAM in your computer since running Windows inside OS X means you're running two OSs concurrently in one computer.

  • by Kuler,

    Kuler Kuler Jul 25, 2013 12:35 PM in response to Kuler
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 12:35 PM in response to Kuler

    Many thanks to everyone, especially ds store, for your replies which have really made me think.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Kuler

  • by joe1828,

    joe1828 joe1828 Jul 25, 2013 1:16 PM in response to Kuler
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 1:16 PM in response to Kuler

    Try Wineskin Port http://wineskin.urgesoftware.com/tiki-index.php?page=Wineskin%2C+Play+your+favor ite+Windows+games+on+Mac+OS+X+without+needing+Microsoft+Windows

     

    It says it is only for windows games but with this you can install windows applications on your mac

  • by ds store,

    ds store ds store Jul 25, 2013 2:09 PM in response to Kuler
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 2:09 PM in response to Kuler

    Kuler wrote:

     

    Many thanks to everyone, especially ds store, for your replies which have really made me think.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Kuler

     

     

    Your welcome, nothing wrong in getting a little Mac or iPad for it's more security when surfing the web.

     

    Keep the Windows machine off the Internet for the most part (just updates) as surfing, emails and files are where the malware mostly comes from.

     

    There hasn't been a worm for Windows in quite some time, but then there is System Restore Disks and Images for that.

     

    That's how I keep my Windows side more secure here on my Mac.

     

     

    Towers outlast laptops by a great deal and with PC towers they can be opened up, expanded and cleaned of dust.

     

    Can no longer do that with almost all Mac's now, they are sealed up tight from any changes or easy cleaning.

     

     

    I have friends that are using 10-12 year old versions of software on their offline XP machines, they use Android tablets for the Internet uses now. (couldn't convince them to get a iPad)