Best, Free WinMac Solution

[iTim314]

I have a MacBook Pro, 2.2ghtz Santa Rosa, the works.

I'm looking for a free (or REALLY cheap) solution for running Windows applications on OS X.

I downloaded the trial of CrossOver:Mac, but to me it seems PAINFULLY slow. Is this normal for Windows on the Mac, a trail, or just emulation?

Any other better solutions for running Windows on a Mac, WITHOUT having to buy an install a copy of winblows?

[klex]

Hi,

I've been trying to figure out whether it is possible to use Linux instead of windows for running windows programs?

I apologize if this is a crazy thought, but I am not so tech savy, and I really don't want to pay for a Windows license when I just bought my first mac to get away from Windows.

Thanks

[kap91]

Well I'm not sure if your talking about virtualization or not, but if you are there is a free, open source, Windows virtualization software out there in beta called Virtual Box. The website is http://www.virtualbox.org/ . You need a copy of Windows though. It is very stable running Windows, although you sometimes have to try a few times before you can get the program to launch and as of now it doesn't support USB devices but it will in the future. If you weren't talking about virtualization, then I'm afraid I can't help. Hope this is what you were looking for.


EDIT: Nevermind, I see now that you didn't want to buy a copy of Windows. Sorry.

[jabrowntx]

Have you considered VMWare Fusion? If you buy now (it's still in beta, RC1) it's $40. You can even run 64-bit versions of Linux in VMs.

[Fleetwood Mac]

I'm afraid that CrossOver is the only application that runs Windows apps without the whole Windows mess.

[klex]

Thanks everyone!