Anyone want to help me?

blahblah06

I'm buying a piece of equipment for my home but to use it on my I mac I have been told I need this

You can use an Imac but the you need boothcamp or parallel software

I've no idea what this means?

Zcott

Whatever you're buying only has Windows software available, not mac software. Bootcamp is an apple utility that allows you to split your hard drive in two and install windows into one partition. Parallels is a software that allows Windows programs to work in Mac OS.

blahblah06

So if I get boot camp do I lose everything on my imac?
What difference would it make

T-K-O

blahblah06 wrote: »

So if I get boot camp do I lose everything on my imac?
What difference would it make

No, you will not lose everything on the mac. Bootcamp will create a partition (split the hard drive) When you power on the mac, hold down he option key. This will present you with two options, OSX or Windows.

You could also look into virtual machines but personally I prefer bootcamp.

Check this out

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1461

Doodah7

Just to add, if you are going to install Windows on your Mac, you will need a retail copy of Windows with a corresponding serial key.

Apple provide loads of information about Bootcamp here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4818

ZENER

Bootcamp is by far the most destructive and awkward way to run Windows on a Mac. Virtual Box is free and negates the need to restart your Mac everytime you need to run the Windows application you need. No matter what option you choose you still need a Windows license as mentioned above.

Can you tell us what it is you need to use Windows for ? There might be another solution.

Ken

whiterebel

ZENER wrote: »

Bootcamp is by far the most destructive and awkward way to run Windows on a Mac. Virtual Box is free and negates the need to restart your Mac everytime you need to run the Windows application you need. No matter what option you choose you still need a Windows license as mentioned above.

Can you tell us what it is you need to use Windows for ? There might be another solution.

Ken

Destructive??

ZENER

Yep, destructive ! Easy to screw things up from within Windows if you're not careful.

Personally I prefer a virtual machine for the very few occasions I need Windows and with Virtual Box I can set a dynamic hard disk thus not using more drive space than I need to.

Ken

ejohnl

I think he was thinking if you have PC at home.
You can use Parallels or a VM.

smurfjed

I used to use Parallels to access Windows explorer as this was the only browser that my online banking would accept, it drove me crazy, my 2.0 Macbook took about 5 minutes to change over. I would really question just how badly do you want that household item.

mathepac

smurfjed wrote: »

... my 2.0 Macbook ...

¿Que?

mathepac

blahblah06 wrote: »

I'm buying a piece of equipment for my home ...

What exactly is it?

smurfjed

Processor 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 Sorry about the confusion, using the Apple Logo, look at the "about this mac", it will give you the processor speed. My last Macbook was 2.0 Ghz and parallels slowed it down drastically. I havent had the need to load that software on this macbook.

7upfree

We've got Parallels installed on an iMac for three years now. No problems. Cots around €80.

One thing to watch for - you won't see the firewire port in the Virtual Machine - only on OSx.

uncle_sam_ie

You can get a cheap W7 key here http://www.pcfritz.de/software/betriebssystem/windows-7-professional/10264/windows-7-professional-64-bit