Topic: not sure about using Snow Leopard and windows xp

[nicesharck]

Hi,
I am trying to decide  if I really want to add windows to my mac-book pro.  I only have four programs that I really would like to use on my mac but can't because of them being windows only based.  How do I know how much space I need?  How susceptible is the windows side to viruses and how would it effect the mac part if one would get through the virus protection?  what is anyone's thought about the duel operating systems?
Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

[hazedaze]

Hi Nicesharck,

I'm assuming you have tried runing these "four apps" within WINE???

Out of curiosity what are the 4 apps your trying to run??

Regards

HD

[nicesharck]

Hi,
I want to add - Microsoft Money, Microsoft Works Suite 2000,a scanner, and my school needs me to  use the new microsoft office 2007 so that all the students will be using the same programs.  I normally just work on my mac but when I use these I need to use my husbands PC.  It would be easier if I could use them on my mac.

[hazedaze]

Ah I see, I have run into this with several users in the past,

Ok there are a few options open to you, Given Im not aware of your level of MAC and PC knowlege I will try and lay out the best options open to you:

If your confident and are willing to give it a try you can look at "WINE" which is an emulation app for Linux and MAC enabling you to run a host of "Windows Only" Apps on your MAC or Linux box. Check out: http://wiki.winehq.org/MacOSX for more Info and is also a great place to start learning about "WINE" even if you have'nt played with it befor.

But If Im honest it looks like the office 2007 app might be the downfall when it comes to "WINE" as it looks like you have to play at directory level moving a few files arround to get it to work properly but again it's all dependent on how you feel about playing around withing the directory structure.

The other more simpler option if your not feeling that confident is to go and download "Open Office", Check out: http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/3.2/ as it now seems to support the Office 2007 Proprietry formats, which means you can use a totally free app to create and to open and edit Word Docs and Excel spreadsheets e.t.c

And given it's open source (Free) you have nothing to loose, and to be honest this would be my first choice if I were back on a Linux or MAC platform!  

if you need anythign else just shout.

Hope this helps

Regards

HD

 

[Samker]

Hi nicesharck, except excellent suggestions from hazedaze also take a look to one "older" SCF Topic "mac osx snow leopard (dual boot windows and mac, best antivirus for mac...)": http://scforum.info/index.php/topic,4002.0.html

Hope some of this solutions will help you??

Best Regards,

S.

[F3RL]

I want to add - Microsoft Money, Microsoft Works Suite 2000,a scanner, and my school needs me to  use the new microsoft office 2007

I respect your opinion Samker, but I personally don't recommend dual-booting XP with BootCamp and Mac OS on a Macintosh box, UNLESS the Mac box has decent hardware configuration. The OP wants to run only four softwares, he/she needs virtual machine instead of installing XP just for those four apps.

So, try CrossOver (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/) to run Windows applicatioins on Mac and as for Office 2007, try Office 2008 or 2011 Beta for Mac.