I may <gulp> make the leap from PC to MAC, any suggestions?

[Yuiichi]

I can tell you after having my Mac for almost 2 years, the only time I had to format was to install Leopard (the latest version of Mac OS X). You never have to do the "maintenance" formats that Windows users have to do every so often.

As for Boot Camp, it's only one option for running Windows on your Mac. It does ship with every new Mac as a part of the operating system - if you don't mind restarting every time you want to switch from Mac OS to Windows, that's perfect for you. If you don't mind paying a little money, there are two apps that you can use to run Windows concurrently with Mac OS - they are VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop for Mac. I've linked both sites - look at them to see if thats what you want.

They both offer features that let you run Windows applications as if they were Mac OS applications, which is a really nice feature if you plan to be using any Windows app regularly!

[Chipell]

Originally Posted by Yuiichi

I can tell you after having my Mac for almost 2 years, the only time I had to format was to install Leopard (the latest version of Mac OS X). You never have to do the "maintenance" formats that Windows users have to do every so often.

As for Boot Camp, it's only one option for running Windows on your Mac. It does ship with every new Mac as a part of the operating system - if you don't mind restarting every time you want to switch from Mac OS to Windows, that's perfect for you. If you don't mind paying a little money, there are two apps that you can use to run Windows concurrently with Mac OS - they are VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop for Mac. I've linked both sites - look at them to see if thats what you want.

They both offer features that let you run Windows applications as if they were Mac OS applications, which is a really nice feature if you plan to be using any Windows app regularly!

The way I am feeling right now, I don't want to 'corrupt' a nice, clean Mac with Vista and it's inherent troubles. There has to be a workaround out there somewhere!

[baseballboy828]

Another option is Crossover. Crossover uses Wine technologies to run windows apps without windows. It doesn't work with all apps, but it will take care of a lot of basic apps. You can see a list of the apps that are known to be compatible and incompatible with Crossover here.

[Chipell]

Originally Posted by baseballboy828

Another option is Crossover. Crossover uses Wine technologies to run windows apps without windows. It doesn't work with all apps, but it will take care of a lot of basic apps. You can see a list of the apps that are known to be compatible and incompatible with Crossover here.

The only program I would really be interested in MS Money. I have been using it sine it came out, and it would be nice to be able to continue using MS Money with MS Billpay and without learning the idiosyncrasies of Quicken for Mac. But that's not much of a sacrifice.

Chip

[Chipell]

Originally Posted by Yuiichi

I can tell you after having my Mac for almost 2 years, the only time I had to format was to install Leopard (the latest version of Mac OS X). You never have to do the "maintenance" formats that Windows users have to do every so often.

As for Boot Camp, it's only one option for running Windows on your Mac. It does ship with every new Mac as a part of the operating system - if you don't mind restarting every time you want to switch from Mac OS to Windows, that's perfect for you. If you don't mind paying a little money, there are two apps that you can use to run Windows concurrently with Mac OS - they are VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop for Mac. I've linked both sites - look at them to see if thats what you want.

They both offer features that let you run Windows applications as if they were Mac OS applications, which is a really nice feature if you plan to be using any Windows app regularly!

Yuiichi,
If I use VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop, does this open my system up to the virus/trojan attacks, the blue screen of death troubles, etc? Or does the software keep the operating systems/files completely separate so that Windows cannot corrupt my new iMac?

[baseballboy828]

Your windows virtual machine is just as vulnerable as any windows install, but is kept separate from your mac. The only way Windows has access to all your files on your mac is if you turn on sharing for your whole drive. Otherwise, you mac is safe, even if your windows vm goes down. Also, I know parallels offers an easy way to create snapshots of your windows drive. THis way, anytime something goes wrong, you can start from a install with only the stuff you need.

[Chipell]

Originally Posted by baseballboy828

Your windows virtual machine is just as vulnerable as any windows install, but is kept separate from your mac. The only way Windows has access to all your files on your mac is if you turn on sharing for your whole drive. Otherwise, you mac is safe, even if your windows vm goes down. Also, I know parallels offers an easy way to create snapshots of your windows drive. THis way, anytime something goes wrong, you can start from a install with only the stuff you need.

The frustrating thing is, the only program I want is Microsoft Money. And it's a kinda' selfish reason: with Money you don't have to pay for the Billpay (online banking) for 2 years, and if you upgrade every year, it's totally free, where with Quicken it's 9.95usd a month.

But Parallels really does look good.

[Yuiichi]

I wonder what would happen if you do get a BSOD within your virtual machine? Will that window just show the BSOD or what?

In any case, BBB is completely right. Your Windows virtual machine is just as susceptible to viruses and trojans as Windows on a PC is. That said, these are Windows viruses, which will just attack your Windows stuff - your Mac stuff should be fine. As a long time PC user, I'm sure you're well aware of how to keep safe, though!

[baseballboy828]

I wonder what would happen if you do get a BSOD within your virtual machine? Will that window just show the BSOD or what?

That's exactly what happens. A virtual BSOD!

[Yuiichi]

Originally Posted by baseballboy828

That's exactly what happens. A virtual BSOD!

Haha, that's actually hillarious! When I get my iMac (around two years... how can I wait that long ), I'll definitely be running Windows in Parallels or something like that. Can't wait to see a virtual BSOD!