Why would you install Windows on a Mac?

[bkpon]

I am a long time Windows user. I know of most of the problems with Windows. Why would anyone EVER want to set up Windows on a Mac? Isn't Mac OS superior to Windows? Why would you put yourself through all of the headaches that come with Windows?

[killmoms]

Some who can put up with those headaches install it in Boot Camp to play games. Others sidestep many of them by installing in a virtual machine because they have apps they need to access that simply aren't available for OS X.

[andy.barron]

games. Thats it. Even then, I would probably just go for a PS3.

[iMpathetic]

Some who can put up with those headaches install it in Boot Camp to play games. Others sidestep many of them by installing in a virtual machine because they have apps they need to access that simply aren't available for OS X.

Some people, in turn, install it just to prove they can. I know two people who've done that, not including me :)

[Eidorian]

1. Games
2. Games
3. Games
4. Visual Studio

I just use Windows for games and programming in Windows. I love OS X much more then Windows but I know how to maintain both of them.

At the end of the day an operating system is just a tool and nothing more.

[thejadedmonkey]

I know of most of the problems with Windows. What problems? I'm a long time user of Windows too, and I haven't had any problems that more RAM couldn't fix.

Why would anyone EVER want to set up Windows on a Mac?
Because (for some things) Windows is a superior OS.

Isn't Mac OS superior to Windows?
Not always.

Why would you put yourself through all of the headaches that come with Windows?
I installed XP in bootcamp, upgraded to Vista once I found was able to download it. I haven't had any headaches yet (except for file transfer in Vista, UGH!)

Does that help? :)

[andy.barron]

To remove it.:)

[djejrejk]

Threads like this are why the rest of the world thinks that Mac users are snobs w/ low self esteem.

Windows works just well enough for many people, especially those with little tech knowledge, gamers and those who just need a machine to use Word and check email. Another point,.. believe it or not, many people don't "get" OS X. Thats fine by me, the point that OS X approaches 30-40% market share, security goes down the tubes on the Mac.

[lugesm]

I installed VMWare Fusion and Windows XP because I use Intuit's Quicken for home and church records. Also use Intuit's TurboTax for Windows.

The Mac version of Quicken is markedly inferior to the Windows version. Not sure about Intuit's TurboTax/Mac, but if it follows the Quicken pattern, I would be afraid to use it.

Further, I have some small programs such as the file management program for Sony voice recorders that do not run on the Mac at all.

Unfortunately, some hardware/software suppliers do not write for the Mac or write inferior software for the smaller Mac market.

[pianoman]

website testing and some editing. not all software is mac-compatible yet.

[djejrejk]

Threads like this are why the rest of the world thinks that Mac users are snobs w/ low self esteem.

Windows works just well enough for many people, especially those with little tech knowledge, gamers and those who just need a machine to use Word and check email. Another point,.. believe it or not, many people don't "get" OS X. Thats fine by me, the point that OS X approaches 30-40% market share, security goes down the tubes on the Mac.

After re-reading this, I realize that I sound snobbish. haha!

[amanda kathryn]

but why spend twice as much on a mac and then turn around and install windows :confused: why not just buy a PC in the first place, this is what i never understood.

[lugesm]

but why spend twice as much on a mac and then turn around and install windows :confused: why not just buy a PC in the first place, this is what i never understood.

Simple. Most things "Mac" are better . . . . but not everything.

[theLimit]

I want one machine that runs everything. Mac OS X is by far the most enjoyable to me, but I sometimes need to run things in Windows or Linux. Like a previous poster said, an OS is just a tool. I wouldn't expect a single screwdriver to serve all my screw driving needs, sometimes I need a crosshead (OS X), sometimes slotted (Windows), and occasionally torx (Linux). It all depends on what job you need to do.

[cohibadad]

I am a long time Windows user. I know of most of the problems with Windows. Why would anyone EVER want to set up Windows on a Mac? Isn't Mac OS superior to Windows? Why would you put yourself through all of the headaches that come with Windows?

easy for me. IE only web interfaces for my business use. No way to get around it. I use OSX for everything else.

[dukebound85]

I am a long time Windows user. I know of most of the problems with Windows. Why would anyone EVER want to set up Windows on a Mac? Isn't Mac OS superior to Windows? Why would you put yourself through all of the headaches that come with Windows?

for you being a long time windows user, i would have expected to already know the answer to your question.....

[bkpon]

[QUOTE=thejadedmonkey;5019921]What problems? I'm a long time user of Windows too, and I haven't had any problems that more RAM couldn't fix.

Installing more RAM, or a bigger hard drive, downloading the latest Service Pack, upgrading drivers, Virus cheking programs, Malware programs, Spybot programs, upgrading video/sound cards. These aren't problems?

Because (for some things) Windows is a superior OS.

Like for what?

Not always.


(except for file transfer in Vista, UGH!)

That isn't a problem?

[dukebound85]

What problems? I'm a long time user of Windows too, and I haven't had any problems that more RAM couldn't fix.

Installing more RAM, or a bigger hard drive, downloading the latest Service Pack, upgrading drivers, Virus cheking programs, Malware programs, Spybot programs, upgrading video/sound cards. These aren't problems?

Because (for some things) Windows is a superior OS.

Like for what?

Not always.


(except for file transfer in Vista, UGH!)

That isn't a problem?


and not really being able to upgrade hardware, use alot of windows only programs, no games, etc

are these not problems?

each platform isnt problem free by any means

[bkpon]

Anyways, Thank you to all who have posted. And to set things straight, My first computer experience was with printcard punchers. Then came the Original MacIntosh. After that I have used IBM clones exclusively. The Mac had games for it, and at the time, they were great. Since then, all I've heard was that everything else was better on a Mac: Sound, Graffics, ability to do more with less. Less clutter.

Maybe I'm just tired of putting up with IBM systems.

[kondspi]

There is a sentiment that Windows runs better as an app in Mac OS. I have Parallels, and tend to agree with this.

For me, it's the sheer thrill of having a functioning Windows setup, and giving it the Apple-Q.

What is Windows primarily good for, though? Wootalyzer (http://www.wootalyzer.com/#).

[Nermal]

I mainly use it for PowerDVD (CyberLink, if you're reading this, please make a Mac version! And fix all the bugs!) and occasionally for Visual Studio. However, it's good to have as a "just in case".

[chocolate632]

I have XP on my iMac just for games and it runs amazingly fast compared to my dad's pc that has the same specs

[deputy_doofy]

Spider Solitaire and MS Pinball :D




Yes, I wasted HD space for that.

[voyagerd]

Games. I'm a Mac Gamer, I always have been, and installing Windows XP just to play games doesn't trouble me at all.

[Eric Lewis]

I am a long time Windows user. I know of most of the problems with Windows. Why would anyone EVER want to set up Windows on a Mac? Isn't Mac OS superior to Windows? Why would you put yourself through all of the headaches that come with Windows?

so i can play my older sims2 and city city 4 games so i dont have to rebuy them

[McGiord]

To be able to videochat via MSN Messenger with some relatives out of the country that are reluctant to use skype or don't have Macs.
________
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[Jack Flash]

Installing more RAM, or a bigger hard drive, downloading the latest Service Pack, upgrading drivers, Virus cheking programs, Malware programs, Spybot programs, upgrading video/sound cards. These aren't problems?

I've had to install more RAM in my Mac

I've had to upgrade the HDD in my Mac

I've had to download 10.4.x and 10.5.x updates which are essentailly service packs.

I've had to upgrade drivers in my Mac

I will eventually need virus programs as the marketshare for Macs increases.

I wish I could update my video and sound cards.


Listen, you just bought a computer. Windows or Mac they have a lot in common.

[Lilyputty]

I hate to interrupt the discussion, but how do I make a new post? All I can figure out is how to reply to a post.

Help!

[QCassidy352]

to watch netflix's free streaming service!

[bkpon]

Well, I guess it always seems greener on the other side of the fence. :o

We all tend to take for granted the good stuff of our current systems and amplify the bad stuff. When we hear about the other side, we tend to hear want we want to hear. And that is usually about the things that makes the other side BETTER than what we have. We also tend to expect that all of the good stuff we like about our own systems are also on the others, too. Sometimes that is the case, often times not.

Again, Thank you to all that have posted to this query. And thank you those who will post and voice their opinion.

And happy computing to you all.
bkpon

[McGiord]

For my Windowx XP partition I use the include McAfee Security Suite from my COMCAST service. For webrowsing and email I use my MacOSX.
I haven't use an antivirus with my Mac in years.
Just be careful and use common sense in what you do with your computer.
________
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[kuwisdelu]

Once a week I have to use a Stats program that's only available for Windows. I use Fusion to do what I have to, copy the data output from it back into OS X, and do the rest of my work in Leopard. I couldn't stand writing everything up in Windows, too.

I'm not going to buy a PC to run one program. I wish they'd make a Mac version.

Some people use it for games that don't have Mac versions.

[Tallest Skil]

I will eventually need virus programs as the marketshare for Macs increases.


That I doubt. Not because I believe that His Jobsness has touched each Mac personally and given his holy blessing to them, but because of how well Apple does software. If there becomes a need for the equivalent of virus protection in OS X, there will be a large span of time (4-5 months, even) between 10.?.x updates in which all known flaws at the time are fixed. It won't be like the iPhone; with hacks to the firmware within the week. It would be months between OS X exploits, during which time Apple engineers would be trolling such related forums and simultaneously patching said exploits.

I know that's how I'd run Apple were there a need for intrusion software protection.

[yellow]

Work.
Games.
Frustration.

[yoppie]

Examsoft

[methodmano]

Like or not, Windows still dominated the business world. I like OSX for my personal life, but need Windows for my work life. Having them run side-by-side works for me.

[dukebound85]

That I doubt. Not because I believe that His Jobsness has touched each Mac personally and given his holy blessing to them, but because of how well Apple does software. If there becomes a need for the equivalent of virus protection in OS X, there will be a large span of time (4-5 months, even) between 10.?.x updates in which all known flaws at the time are fixed. It won't be like the iPhone; with hacks to the firmware within the week. It would be months between OS X exploits, during which time Apple engineers would be trolling such related forums and simultaneously patching said exploits.

I know that's how I'd run Apple were there a need for intrusion software protection.

you realize apple makes the iphone right? your statement makes no sense saying how secure osx is but then point its not like the iphone that gets hacked in a week lol


by the way, NO SOFTWARE IS COMPLETELY FLAWLESS, including good ol' osx

the big thing osx has is that its unix based, but even then, there are probably ways to exploit it

[lavrishevo]

Games and sometimes Messenger considering damn ichat does not work half the time when Messenger does with video chat. Pisses me off.

[Neil321]

For testing IE and if needs be work

[Broomhead.ifone]

I would never do that to my Mac. Not even for Netflix

[Komiksulo]

I use Windows XP to connect to my workplace. They require us to use Internet Explorer on Windows to download a VPN client, then use remote desktop, instead of just using the Mac-based VPN and RDP clients that are available.

I'm taking an AutoCAD course, and both AutoCAD and the couseware are Windows only.

Both these situations arose well after I bought my MacBook Pro. I like having one of the most flexible computers around.

Oh yes, there are a few games, too. :)

[Eraserhead]

So I can do a Windows based University course in ASP .NET.

[SVT Amateur]

Like or not, Windows still dominated the business world. I like OSX for my personal life, but need Windows for my work life. Having them run side-by-side works for me.

I'm with this guy, except I don't like to run them side by side (Boot Camp ftw!). Mac OS X is of course my preferred OS and I use it for school and home, but the corporate intranet requires use of the dreaded Microsoft Internet Explorer (I love Camino so much more!) for any applications (i.e. payroll, scheduling, etc.) so having Windows installed is a must. I do like how I can have Vista and Office 2007 on one partition and use the files on it solely for work and yet have another partition that has Mac OS X and Office 2008 and use the files on that partition strictly for school and personal items.

[catfish743]

I can understand installing windows on a mac for some reasons, but I personally do not need a reason for it yet. I am sure I eventually will, but at the moment I am happy to be away from windows.

[eXan]

I had it on my MacBook before I got the HD upgrade and used it to occasionally play some older games.

Now, with my old MB HD in the external drive box I can't boot into Windows, until Apple makes it possible to boot from an external drive, or until I clone the windows partition to my current MB HD.

[cbrain]

Games and some applications that arn't available for the mac.

[Nordichund]

There are still quite a few programmes which are ONLY available in Windows, ones which I need and of course gaming is far superior.
I must admit though viewing Windows in Parallels does make XP look rather sad compaired to OSX :D

I believe it was a very strategic and smart business move by Apple when they made it easier to install Windows on a Mac using Boot Camp. I believe it has attracted hundreds of thousands if not more new converts from PC to Mac.

[Skibsted]

I have Windows installed on my MBP for one purpose only: GAMING!

[Smoogz]

same here... the ONLY reason I'd put Windows on my gleamming little iMac would be to play games... but hey I got an Xbox 360 for that! :cool:

[Bern]

Three reasons really:-

1. Gaming

2. MSN for video chatting because no-one I know uses iChat or AIM

3. Testing in IE

[palexandridis]

More of the same - gaming. Not only that, but I got an eSATA card so that I can install windows games to my external. OpenGL is good and all, but DirectX has a polish to it I don't feel when I play games on a Mac. And they run faster. I am a Mac gamer, but I have to admit that Mac gaming kinda sucks.

[ThunderSkunk]

I've wanted to switch to a Mac for years, but since AutoDesk gave up on writing AutoCad, Inventor, 3DStudioMax, etc for Mac many years ago (insufficient demand at the time), I've been stuck in PC-land.

Then one day, the sky cracked and split in two, and...

Mac: The simple stuff, mail, calendar, web browsing, itunes, etc... runs everything smoother, prettier, and just plain old more enjoyable than windoze.

Parallels: Low priority Win stuff like playing .wmv video, .asp web stuff, accessing MS Notes & Journal docs, (I came from a (an admittedly missed) Tablet PC & all my vector sketches are stuck there), and my nice shiney HP Print/Scan/Copier which strangely can't be made to work in OSX.

Boot Camp: High thread priority heavies: http://usa.autodesk.com, plus Sony Video camera (which also can't be made to work in OSX)

16g iPhone: Mobile backup of design archive


*

Anyone who doesn't install drivers or software updates is either not using their system for anything more than a web browser, or has a highly selective memory.

[nikopolidis]

There are my reasons for running Windows on my Mac:
- To run some Windows only apps that I get used to when I was a PC-user (IE7, AutoCad, Visual Studio)
- To play PC-games
- To get used to Mac environment gradually after PC environment
I use Parallels Desktop and BootCamp in combo to do all this. :)

[Supaklaw]

Because torrent apps and downloading is significantly faster on the windows side. Azureus is probably the only app on the mac side that gets close in terms of control over download options. But on average I download 50-80 kps on my Mac... using Windows, 100-200 kps.

[Diaresi]

Nokia Software Update/Nokia Maps Downloader
Playstation Store
4oD
iPlayer
Office 2003
Windows Live Messenger (occasionally)

The list can go on and on, because Windows has a crucial thing over OS X: Compatibility (which, granted, isn't entirely Apple's fault)!

[hodgjy]

I need to run two programs:

SigmaPlot
NCSS

And it never hurts to run my Office 2008 documents through Office 2002 (Win) for a definitive formatting check.

[yellow]

To be specific (besides the games):

Remedy
Active Directory Users & Computers
Remote Desktop Connection
A whole host of IE specific sites/web apps.

[louden]

developer tools, developer platform, developer environment.. I like .Net

[Pigumon]

Pixologic, the makers of ZBrush, are notoriously slow in updating their app, and even worse when it comes to making the Mac version updates...

So I was lucky enough to add a parallels purchase to a recent job, just to get Zbrush 3.0 going.

If I didn't HAVE to, I probably wouldn't.

I do gaming on consoles, they're just way better!!

[palexandridis]

Because torrent apps and downloading is significantly faster on the windows side. Azureus is probably the only app on the mac side that gets close in terms of control over download options. But on average I download 50-80 kps on my Mac... using Windows, 100-200 kps.

And I thought I was imagining things when I first noticed that.

[BrianKonarsMac]

Windows works just well enough for many people, especially those with little tech knowledge, gamers and those who just need a machine to use Word and check email. Another point,.. believe it or not, many people don't "get" OS X. Thats fine by me, the point that OS X approaches 30-40% market share, security goes down the tubes on the Mac.

I would have to say that windows is not really for people with little tech knowledge in my experience.

Let's look at my parents for example. I gave them my old mac and they love it because if they buy something like a mouse or a printer, they can plug it in and use. Even easier is networking, basically no setup required, plug and play.

On Windows you need to generally install drivers to get more than basic functionality (or to get any functionality in some cases) and to add your machine into a network can be a bit more of a headache in my experience. I'm not a "windows guy" so maybe establishing networks and installing drivers has become easier in Vista, but every person I've spoken to about vista has not given it a positive review (a guy came in to give a presentation to our company a week or two ago, and had a background of Calvin peeing on the vista logo...on his dell laptop). I use windows at work (in an office environment with IT guys doing regular maintenance), and can say without a doubt it is an extremely aggravating experience. You really need to work to maintain your PC and avoid spyware/adware/viruses.

That's just my personal experience, I'm sure a more windows savvy user is laughing to himself somwhere.

Back on topic: The only reason I could see to install windows on a Mac is for 1) business apps that are windows only 2) games that aren't available for OS X. When I bought my most current mac, it was an upgrade from a PPC. I thought sweet, I can dual boot Windows XP! Six months later, I have yet to even bother installing it and the only reason I've come up with as to why I would want to is ...to say that I can :(.

[UltraNEO*]

I am a long time Windows user. I know of most of the problems with Windows. Why would anyone EVER want to set up Windows on a Mac? Isn't Mac OS superior to Windows? Why would you put yourself through all of the headaches that come with Windows?

Umm well, I have a few reasons.

1. 3DStudio
2. Games
3. MagicISO and applications like that... (can do it in vm, but slow)

[wkw]

I use windows vista on my imac so I can run exact audio copy. I use EAC to burn superior sounding discs from the huge collection of bootlegs I have amassed. (around 3tb of FLAC/SHN files)

[lugesm]

I posted a response earlier stating that I installed Fusion/WinXP on my iMac so that I could use Quicken/Windows and Quicken/TurboTax.

The differences between Quicken/Win and Quicken/Mac are depressing.

I expected the differences between TurboTax/Win and TurboTax/Mac would be equally disappointing, but having just run my 2007 return on both programs I find that the Mac version of TurboTax is almost as good as the Windows version. Guess Intuit is not comfortable in shortchanging a Federal Government document preparation program.