Mobile Tech Minutes: Windows on a MacBook
I am a dual-OS kind of guy. A web worker who needs to use both OS X and Windows on a daily basis. I have been asked by some folks how I do that and why I do it so I figured the easiest way was to show with a video how it works. I run OS X on the 13-inch MacBook and often have Windows Vista (or Windows 7) running on it under Parallels Desktop which is very slick. In the video you’ll see how well the two OSes play nice with each other and see how seamless I can make the transition. You’ll also get a glimpse at the software I use every day and some new programs I am testing.
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You mentioned in your video that you used a dual monitor setup with your macbook. Would you share what you use in that set up? One of my frustrations with mac laptops is the lack of an elegant docking station for desktop peripheral integration that are common with other machines. I have seen third party docking stations, but I am not particularly impressed with quality/price…
I use the Apple 24-inch Cinema Display- http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/18/apple-24-inch-cinema-display-on-the-way-again/
:(
I have a 24′ imac and would like to connect two external 20′ displays (one on each side) but have not found a way to set this up. Any suggestions?
@Edmundo
you can do this with a DisplayLink adapter, which uses a USB port to output graphics to a second (or third) display.
@James: Do you use a firewall/antivirus software on the windows side? Because I don’t see andy tasks in the taskbar? Or is there no need for it when running under parallels?
Because this seems to be the perfect setup for me, too.
No I don’t but I probably should. My feeling is if I get a problem I’ll delete the virtual machine and recreate it. My data is safe on the OS X side.
James,
Have you left the HDD formatted as FAT32 for both OS’s, and have you run into any instances where the 4GB file cap has been an issue with the Windows install?
I imagine your Outlook or OneNote folders are fairly sizable.
I’m looking at buying a Macbook Pro here in the near future and while using a Powerbook to get used to OSX I ran into the limit.
I read about some who format the two partitions separately, but not sure if it’s really an issue. Thanks.
The HDD is formatted OS X.
Hey James,
you could have also demonstrated coherence mode, I’m sure some people would find that even more exciting :)
Coherence mode is cool but I find it more productive to keep the two OSes separate. That may just be a mental thing but I have often been accused of being mental.
I’ve always wanted a Mac, but I also need my PC.
This would be perfect, if only Apple would make a tablet w/ keyboard.
(Of course, I’d like it to also be very light, with good screen, and powerful.) :-)
well, this video cements it for me…..
i guess i would be classified as an MS fanboy…i have built my entire career on MS products and proud of it. i am not blind to apple and have always been impressed with the design of their products. they are absolutely a revolutionary force in the it world. i personally don’t see their fit in the business world whatsoever but that’s just me.
but the real point here, i can no longer be a regular viewer of your site. both of you guys, for whatever reason, have become complete apple biased. and yes, i admit it….as an it director, i used your site as an invaluable tool for research on great mobile products. but lately, it is so heavily negative against MS, that i am done. i am sure you guys are doing well being suddenly in love with all that is apple but it doesn’t suit me any more.
good luck to you.
I’m very sorry you feel that way Bart. I view it totally different, I use both operating systems as I showed in this video. I’m not sure how that qualifies as being biased against MS. I use it because I need it and make that clear. We cover all operating systems and tools here on jkOnTheRun. It seems no matter what we cover there are those who find it “biased” which is not the case.
I hope you stick around but if not have a good life.
I’ve never understood the passion of the Mac/MS debate and how perceived slights or biases can drive people away from discussions that they claim to otherwise enjoy. James has just admitted to using both op systems just like many do. What I wish more of from JKontheRun are podcasts. meanwhile I find the product reviews, usage patterns and ongoing experience reports very useful and entertaining. BTW, I seldom watch the videos. I don’t have the time or patience for ‘em. Of course I don’t do YouTube either. That’s just me. Other results may vary!
Mike: OS/X will run on a Toshiba M200 tabletpc. (or so i’ve heard ;)
James,
I’m running vmware instead of parallels, but I think they both work in the same manner. You should be able to suspend your vm. This would make it start up instantly. If you have both your vista and win7 vm’s suspended you could switch fairly quickly.
Also you can create a snapshot image after you install. Then if anything happens you can roll back to that snapshot instead of having to reinstall. Makes testing software easier because you create a snapshot, install new software, roll back after finishing.
Good point about the snapshots, I’ve been meaning to do that. I do use the suspend a fair bit, you’re right it’s instant on in that regard. I don’t run Vista and Win7 at the same time though as it makes little sense to tie up the memory with both active at once. With only 3 GB there’s not enough to go around for 3 OSes running at once.
I wouldn’t run both os’s at the same time either. But it makes it easier to switch if you need to; like in the middle of a video ;)
James,
What is the notes app for Mac that you mention? I couldn’t find where you talked about it before searching the site. I’d like to check that out.
Deep Notes
I’m not comfortable without a chillpad cooling the MacBook Pro when running Mac and XP using VM Fusion. So, that’s a lot to carry and find power for. Using the Mac USB port for 2 fans eventually gets the Mac to optimize for it’s own needs and shut that USB draw down, off and on.
So..I don’t run both very often. I was a OneNote fan. Now I use CircusPonies Notebook 3.0 .
I need to access Quicken on line and it requires Windows so I am planning on getting Parallels or VM Fusion to run on my iMac (Intel, 2.4 Ghz, OS X 10.5.6). I will probably run Windows XP, not Vista. From Quicken I need to download data to an Excel spreadsheet. Do I need to get Microsoft Office for Windows or can I somehow download from Quicken to the Excel version I have in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac. Thanks.