Are you using Windows on a Macbook ?

[Walowiz]

Hi chaps

I've got to provide my own laptop for a contract. So I was thinking of buying a new Macbook Pro (13"), but the client uses Windows for everything, so it'll be running just Windows from 9-5.

So anyone using a Macbook to run Windows for work ? Any issues with doing this ? Does everything work ok, or would I better of with a Windows Dell laptop ?

Reason for question, is my wife is after a Macbook, so all being well once the contract finishes, I'll just give it to her.

cheers

 

[andyclift]

I use Windows on a Mac with no issues at all. Using Bootcamp which is preinstalled on your Mac you put Windows on a separate partition. Then you can decide whether you want the Mac to boot into OSX or Win by default. If you want the "non-default" option just hold Alt when booting to select what you want.

The above means you can only change op systems on booting but by installing VM Ware or Parallels you can run Windows in a Window on the OSX desktop. Win runs a little slower this way but its really convenient and I have had no issues.

I run Win 7 plus Office 2007, lots of Adobe stuff and various odds and sods. I did it mainly because it was cheaper to buy Win7 and Parallels than replace all my Win software but as time goes on and I slowly get more Mac software I use the Win partition less and less. Mainly because having got used to the speed of the Mac the time it takes to boot and shut down any Windows computer gets bloody frustrating.

I have to use Windows at work but bought an iMAC for home use and was so impressed that within a month I was the proud owner of a 13" Macbook Pro as well. I don't have the problem of having to use my own kit for work stuff but before going down the Windows on a MAC route think about why you need it. All graphic files produced on a Windows computer will open OK on a MAC. DOC and DOCX files can be opened in MAC Pages (unless the really obscure features of Word are used) but if that doesn't work just buy Office for Mac which costs less than a Win 7 disc anyway. My contacts database went from Outlook to MAC Address Book with no problems as did my calendar to iCal. My Blackberry syncs my contacts and calendar across both Windows and iMAC with no problems and my wife's Windows computer connects to my networked Macs and transfers files and syncs iTunes with no problems.

The only real problem I have is that I use Photodex Producer to make slide shows and Access for a club database and so far have not found a Mac program to do the job

 

[Mav]

I run windows in a virtual machine on my Mac which means I can access windows and Mac programs at the same time without having to reboot. I think this is a great advantage and I have it working with windows 7.

The only issue I have is keyboard shortcuts are either different or not there at all. For example, I use to use the windows key a lot for various shortcuts. But that seems to be the only downside. All the software runs treat

 

[garfield]

It's easy to set up and use, you should be fine....

 

[stolzy]

So anyone using a Macbook to run Windows for work ?

Yes

Any issues with doing this ?

Nope, I'd avoid the Parallels/VM Ware if you don't need to run windows and Mac OS X side by side

Does everything work ok,

Windows works better on a mac than any platform I ever used. Not because macs are necessarily better, but because the restricte range of hardware means the drivers (made by Apple) are better.

or would I better of with a Windows Dell laptop ?

No.

Your only problem is that AFAIK, win95 won't work on Bootcamp - you need win98 SP2 as a minimum.