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Hi everyone, this is Leo Notenboom with news, commentary and answers to some of the many questions I get at askleo.info.
Several weeks ago I mentioned that I had purchased a MacBook Pro. Unfortunately it suffered from a couple of problems - the worst being an unusable trackpad. I ended up taking it to the local Apple store for repair.
I was disappointed at the fact that it needed repair right out of the box. But my experience with the Apple 'Genius' and the repair process was smooth and efficient. No hoops to jump through, and I was kept up-to-date on the status of my repair by email begining the day I dropped it off.
So my trackpad works and the machine's running cooler. It's time to start playing.
The first thing I did on getting it back? I installed Windows.
Now, I know that many Mac purists will consider that "pollution" of their beloved hardware, but now that I've been playing with it for a bit, I see it as a huge strategic play for the Mac.
For what it's worth, I'm not using Apple's "BootCamp". The thought of having to reboot to switch between operating systems just didn't do it for me. Especially when I heard of a virtual machine solution.
I've been very impressed with Parallels Workstation for the Mac. Using it, I'm able to run a complete Virtual Machine in a window under Mac OSX. That Virtual Machine, when run, starts with a virtual BIOS that attempts to boot from a virtual hard disk - or from the system's CD-ROM. The theoretical bottom line is that it allows you to install and setup pretty much any operating system - from MS-DOS to Linux.
So I grabbed an XP Pro install CD and installed Windows. Now, Windows is running in a window on my Mac. And, so far, with installs of Office, encryption software, the Hamachi VPN software, and more random tools and utilities, I've not stumbled into anything that didn't just work. I've even been able to use remote desktop on another computer to remotely access the Windows virtual machine on my Mac.
So why put Windows on a Mac? For the very reason that so many PC users are reluctant to try a Mac in the first place: they have an investment in their Windows-based software and solutions. With Windows in a window on a Mac, PC users might just be able to preserve their investment as they, like I, dip their toes in the Mac pond. Now that I have both Windows and Max OSX in front of me, I can safely start playing.
I'd love to hear what you think. Visit ask leo dot info, and enter 10232 in the go to article number box. Leave a comment, I read them all.
This is a presentation of askleo.info, a free on-line technical question and answer service. Hundreds of questions and answers are online and ready to help solve your computer problems.
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Article C2643 - May 4, 2006
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
Deep Blue says:
>The way I see it, the longer you allow yourself
>to keep Windows around as a crutch, the longer
>you're going to rely on it. Cut Windows out of
>your life, and find replacements for the
>programs you _think_ you need Windows for.
I apologize if this sounds insulting, but I don't know how else to say this:
This "All or nothing" attitude is the same that has literally crippled the growth & expansion of Apple Computers for decades. Geeks & Techies with lots of time, money and interest might think nothing of making this "leap of faith" -- a solid, monitary commitment to an unknown, based on what other people say.
Leo is Dead Right-On! People NEED that 'crutch,' that "safety net" in making a major transition like this. If the Mac is anywhere near as good as you claim, then the "crutch" will be thrown away, end of story. It really IS that simple.
Apple's recent recognition of this showed more wisdom than coming up with the Ipod.
Leo: I'm excited to read of your experimenting and am eager to hear more of how the programs run, and what, if any, advantages, disadvantages & tricks you come up with.
Posted by: Sam77 at May 6, 2006 12:20 PMNo viruses on Macs? Ha-ha... you just wait my friend. Viruses will start to pop up out of the woodwork if Macs ever start to dominate PCs.
Posted by: Mike at May 10, 2006 12:19 PMLeo,
Posted by: Jason Dick at May 12, 2006 3:44 PMI liked your Podcast on "My Mac is Back, and running Windows." As a PC user during the day at work and Mac user at night I am always happy to hear PC users trying out Mac's.
Jason
I still can't afford a mac.
Posted by: Doug Willard at May 13, 2006 12:06 PMHi Leo...Read with great interest your venture into MacBook Pro. I'm interested in reading your comments as you progress further. Next year I plan to do the same after Vista and Apple's new OS Leopard comes out. This way, I'll be up to date with both new OSes. You mentioned using Parallels Workstation, not Parallels Desktop. What is the difference between the two, and why did you choose the one you did? Thanks, and keep your great newsletters coming....Jim Hamm
Posted by: Jim Hamm at September 2, 2006 4:31 PM