I need to install MSFT Windows for a tool I need to use for research purposes (it only works on Windows)
Question: Which Microsoft Windows version is compatible with my Macbook air version?
The good part is I can get any version of Microsoft OS coz my friend works there.
-- Just need to know which version and bit I need that would work with my current OS.
Thank you ahead of time for the help! 😍
MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
MS Office 2011 for OS X.
@kappy - why would i need MS Office? Those are just business tools.
I need Windows OS so I can run a program.
Sorry, I mis-read the question.
Windows on Intel Macs
There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
1. Install the Apple Boot Camp software. Purchase Windows
XP w/Service Pak2, Vista, or Windows 7. For Boot Camp
4.0 and above you can only use Windows 7 or later. Follow
instructions in the Boot Camp documentation on
installation of Boot Camp, creating Driver CD, and
installing Windows. Boot Camp enables you to boot the
computer into OS X or Windows.
2. Parallels Desktop for Mac and Windows XP, Vista Business,
Vista Ultimate, or Windows 7. Parallels is software
virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently
with OS X.
3. VM Fusionand Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate,
or Windows 7. VM Fusion is software virtualization that
enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows
applications without having to install Windows. The
Windows applications can run concurrently with OS X.
5. VirtualBox is an Open Source freeware virtual machine such
as VM Fusion and Parallels that was developed by Solaris.
It is not as fully developed for the Mac as Parallels and VM
Fusion.
Note that VirtualBox, Parallels, and VM Fusion can also run other operating systems such as Linux, Unix, OS/2, Solaris, etc. There are performance differences between dual-boot systems and virtualization. The latter tend to be a little slower (not much) and do not provide the video performance of the dual-boot system. See MacTech Labs- Virtualization Benchmarks, January 2013 | MacTechfor comparisons of Boot Camp, Parallels, and VM Fusion. Boot Camp is only available with Leopard or Snow Leopard. Except for Crossover and a couple of similar alternatives like DarWine you must have a valid installer disc for Windows.
You must also have an internal optical drive for installing Windows. Windows cannot be installed from an external optical drive.
You really should post over in the BootCamp forum. That is where the Windows users hang out.
There are basically two ways to install Windows on a Mac. You can use BootCamp to create a partition for Windows or you can use virtualization.
Allan
@allan - Thanks. This info helps. I've just learnt about Bootcamp based on your posting and @Kappy's. Never heard or knew about it before.
For running a single program, I would suggest using Parallels. Install the version of Windows you want from XP to Win8 into a virtual machine. Run your Windows application concurrently with OS X.
The only caution is have plenty of memory. I would suggest at least 8 GBs if your machine supports it.
Which Microsoft Windows version do I need for v10.7.5?
