First, a word to the Windows users who visit this web-site and are in doubt whether to switch to the Mac yes or no.
Well, there's no reason for doubt anymore; you can use Windows on your Mac too. Let's look at a screen-shot of this web-site, both in Explorer (Windows XP) and Safari (Mac OS 10.5), taken on my iMac:
Though you might not make Mr. Bill Gates very happy by switching to the Mac....
Bootcamp (Intel Macs only)
This is a program that comes with Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. It makes an Intel based Macintosh computer boot on Windows XP SP2 (!) or Vista. You can choose between the two operating systems by pushing the Option-key while booting or rebooting your Mac:
Make your choice: X or XP!
This means you'll need to reboot your Mac when you want to work in the MS Windows environment. Both operating systems use their own partition on the main hard disk. Windows can work 'native' like this and so you can use programs that use the computer's hardware directly. This makes Bootcamp very suitable for games.
It is not necessary to format your hard disk first before installing Bootcamp. Apple has made a neat installer that does the work for you: it creates a partition without disturbing your original Mac data:
WARNING
You need to follow the user instructions BY THE LETTER!
It's wise to print the instructions before you start!
Make sure you have a recent backup of your files!
WARNING
MacMeep can understand that there are Mac users who are not keen on making Mr. Gates any richer than he already is.... So they might go to a neighbor to lend a Windows installation cd.
Whatever you do: beware to be sure that you use an XP SERVICE PACK 2 disc. Any older system can cause irreversible damage to your EFI (firmware = instructions in a chip on the motherboard) and then your Mac WILL BE DEAD.
SWITCH TIP
In Bootcamp, both systems work independently. So, exchanging data can be a problem. It might be an idea to format your disc into three partitions, with one formatted as 'FAT32'. This partition can be accessed form both Mac and Windows, so you can share some data. Another option is to use a special program, called MacDrive to read HSF+ discs in Windows.
TIP
You are not obliged to use Windows XP or Vista. You can also use it for a Linux distribution.
WARNING
A Mac with a Windows operating system is as vulnerable as any other Windows based computer for viruses, hacking, Trojans, worms, et cetera. Be sure you install good anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-who knows what and firewall software!
Parallels Desktop
With this program you can use Windows without rebooting your Mac. Parallels creates a so-called 'virtual machine'. On this machine you can install the operating system of your choice (you can create several for different operating systems).
Installation and configuration of Parallels Desktop
The 'OS Installation Assistant' will lead you through installation and makes it very easy for you. Just follow the instructions:
Note: beginners choose the 'Express Windows OS" installation. More experienced users can choose the 'Custom installation' for example to install Linux.
Et voilá:
Configure Parallels
Use the Configuration Window to configure your Virtual Machine (menu 'Edit' => 'Virtual Machine'):
For example: click on 'Memory 512 Mb' to open the Configuration Editor at the Memory option :
In case - for security reasons - you don't want Windows to go online, use the option to shut down the Network Adapter:
Other examples of emulating software are:
VMware Fusion
Run Windows applications alongside Mac applications. Switch between Windows and Mac applications quickly with Exposé. Minimize Windows applications to the Mac OS X Dock.
Another Graphic User Interface for the Mac: X11
As explained in the UNIX chapter, Mac OS X is a Unix based system. Apple made their own GUI - Graphic User Interface - called 'Aqua' and gave UNIX the user friendliness of the Macintosh.
However, the UNIX community has created its own GUI with the Xfree86 project: the X-window system.
Apple adapted this project for the Mac and called it 'X11'. With X11 you can use all those thousands of X-windows programs on your Mac. X-Windows die-hards can even decide to use X11 as a GUI instead of Aqua.
For more information, visit: http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/x11/
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Well, there's no reason for doubt anymore; you can use Windows on your Mac too. Let's look at a screen-shot of this web-site, both in Explorer (Windows XP) and Safari (Mac OS 10.5), taken on my iMac:
Though you might not make Mr. Bill Gates very happy by switching to the Mac....
Bootcamp (Intel Macs only)
This is a program that comes with Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. It makes an Intel based Macintosh computer boot on Windows XP SP2 (!) or Vista. You can choose between the two operating systems by pushing the Option-key while booting or rebooting your Mac:
Make your choice: X or XP!This means you'll need to reboot your Mac when you want to work in the MS Windows environment. Both operating systems use their own partition on the main hard disk. Windows can work 'native' like this and so you can use programs that use the computer's hardware directly. This makes Bootcamp very suitable for games.
It is not necessary to format your hard disk first before installing Bootcamp. Apple has made a neat installer that does the work for you: it creates a partition without disturbing your original Mac data:
WARNING
You need to follow the user instructions BY THE LETTER!
It's wise to print the instructions before you start!
Make sure you have a recent backup of your files!
WARNING
MacMeep can understand that there are Mac users who are not keen on making Mr. Gates any richer than he already is.... So they might go to a neighbor to lend a Windows installation cd.
Whatever you do: beware to be sure that you use an XP SERVICE PACK 2 disc. Any older system can cause irreversible damage to your EFI (firmware = instructions in a chip on the motherboard) and then your Mac WILL BE DEAD.
SWITCH TIP
In Bootcamp, both systems work independently. So, exchanging data can be a problem. It might be an idea to format your disc into three partitions, with one formatted as 'FAT32'. This partition can be accessed form both Mac and Windows, so you can share some data. Another option is to use a special program, called MacDrive to read HSF+ discs in Windows.
TIP
You are not obliged to use Windows XP or Vista. You can also use it for a Linux distribution.
WARNING
A Mac with a Windows operating system is as vulnerable as any other Windows based computer for viruses, hacking, Trojans, worms, et cetera. Be sure you install good anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-who knows what and firewall software!
Parallels Desktop
With this program you can use Windows without rebooting your Mac. Parallels creates a so-called 'virtual machine'. On this machine you can install the operating system of your choice (you can create several for different operating systems).
Installation and configuration of Parallels Desktop
The 'OS Installation Assistant' will lead you through installation and makes it very easy for you. Just follow the instructions:
Note: beginners choose the 'Express Windows OS" installation. More experienced users can choose the 'Custom installation' for example to install Linux.
Et voilá:
Configure Parallels
Use the Configuration Window to configure your Virtual Machine (menu 'Edit' => 'Virtual Machine'):
For example: click on 'Memory 512 Mb' to open the Configuration Editor at the Memory option :
In case - for security reasons - you don't want Windows to go online, use the option to shut down the Network Adapter:
Other examples of emulating software are:
VMware Fusion
Run Windows applications alongside Mac applications. Switch between Windows and Mac applications quickly with Exposé. Minimize Windows applications to the Mac OS X Dock.
Another Graphic User Interface for the Mac: X11
As explained in the UNIX chapter, Mac OS X is a Unix based system. Apple made their own GUI - Graphic User Interface - called 'Aqua' and gave UNIX the user friendliness of the Macintosh.
However, the UNIX community has created its own GUI with the Xfree86 project: the X-window system.
Apple adapted this project for the Mac and called it 'X11'. With X11 you can use all those thousands of X-windows programs on your Mac. X-Windows die-hards can even decide to use X11 as a GUI instead of Aqua.
For more information, visit: http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/x11/
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