Running Windows on Macs
Although there is already a slightly technical and fairly comprehensive overview on this topic on the Mac Pages, WIRED offers this page as a simplified treatment with some step-by-step instructions for students.
WIRED recommends two different methods for running Windows on a Mac, and the one you choose depends on your needs and goals. The table below shows the options and their pros and cons, as well as links to procedures for setting them up. Also remember: WIRED consultants are available to help you out if you'd like -- set up an appointment or stop by the WIRED Desk.
Note also that the copy of Windows provided on Student Media from the Lehigh University Bookstore *can* be used to install Windows on Macs, even though it states that it is an "Upgrade Only" license. Both Microsoft's published documentation and our conversations with them have confirmed that installing Windows onto a Mac is a legal upgrade of the Mac OS. Windows 7 adds some additional hoops through which to jump, but the resulting installation is good. If you're not sure which type of Windows to install (32-bit or 64-bit) have a look at the Windows 7 FAQ.
| Method: | Dual Boot (BootCamp) | Virtualization (VirtualBox, Fusion, Parallels) |
| Setup: | A separate partition is created on the Mac's hard disk, and the Windows OS is installed there. When you boot up the machine, you choose which partition to start from -- the Mac side or the PC side. This method requires hardware driver software from the Macintosh System disk. |
The Windows OS is installed into a "virtual machine" (VM) that runs as a program inside the Mac OS. Both operating systems run at the same time. Once Windows is installed, software drivers from the Emulator manufacturer should be installed into the VM (e.g. Parallels tools) to make working with it smoother. |
| Switching: | Switching between one OS and the other requires rebooting the machine. | Switching between one OS and the other is just like switching between running programs. |
| Performance: | Whichever OS you're using has exclusive access to all of the resources of the computer -- all of the RAM, all of the CPU, all of the GPU. This is good for resource-intensive applications like CAD, graphic design or gaming. | Each OS must share hardware resources. Performance of both OS's can be affected, but for general Office applications, performance is fine. As well, this setup can be much more convenient for users who need to share data between the two OS's, or switch between them more frequently. Generally, Macs with 2GB of RAM can easily accommodate an XP VM, but more is recommended for Vista or Windows 7 |
| Cost: | Included with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) | VirtualBox is free from Sun, Fusion is a commercial product from VMWare with good performance, and Parallels is another feature-rich virtualizer. The latest versions of Fusion and Parallels both offer the capability of running a virtual machine from a BootCamp partition, essentially offering the best of both worlds. |
| Conclusion: | Best for machines with more modest resources, and users with only occasional need for Windows. Can be converted to a virtual machine. | Best for users with frequent need for Windows and/or more powerful machines. |
| Procedure: | Installing BootCamp | Installing VirtualBox |
| Note: Students get *one* machine-specific activation of their Lehigh-provided license for the Windows OS. Choose wisely. As well, students are granted license to use *either* the Mac or the PC version of Microsoft Office. Ditto. | ||