Running Windows on macbook

Aston998 · 4 Mar 2015 at 12:24

Hello(Sorry if there is a thread alright)

I am wanting to run window on my Macbook Air. I am a student so wanting something that is either free or cheap?

Cheers
A

tom_e · 4 Mar 2015 at 12:27

Bootcamp

Aston998 · 4 Mar 2015 at 13:23

How about Parallels Desktop 10

bloodiedathame · 4 Mar 2015 at 13:52

Aston998 said:
How about Parallels Desktop 10

It works fine but it costs. Define cheap.

tom_e · 4 Mar 2015 at 13:56

I use Parallels but as said it costs, think it's around the £70 mark, bootcamp is free with OSX.

martin363 · 4 Mar 2015 at 14:10

Do what I did 2 years ago with my air. Format it completely, I mean completely, remove all hidden partitions etc and just install windows from a usb.

Works like a dream

Aston998 · 4 Mar 2015 at 14:13

tom_e said:
I use Parallels but as said it costs, think it's around the £70 mark, bootcamp is free with OSX.

I can get it for £40ish as i am a student

Feek · 5 Mar 2015 at 09:09

If you want to run Windows but not buy Parallels or Fusion (or reboot to a Windows partition), look at Virtualbox. It's free.

Terminal_Boy · 5 Mar 2015 at 09:17

Discounted VMWare Fusion running Windows as a VM and you avoid all the bumpain of having to install Windows in Bootcamp.

Which is a bumpain the size of Begium on Retina MBPs - especially now that Yosemite doesn't support Win 7.

snapdragon69 · 9 Mar 2015 at 10:35

If not bootcamp - use virtualbox as said.
If it's an old Air you may be struggling for SSD space so I understand not wanting to tie too much up with bootcamp.

cokecan · 9 Mar 2015 at 10:58

With the current version of Yosmite and Bootcamp, would Windows 8.1/Windows 10 be able to make use of the UEFI bios and GPT OS partition?

Aston998 · 9 Mar 2015 at 13:42

Its the brand new Macbook Air!

lamboman · 9 Mar 2015 at 15:15

What are you going to use the VM for? If it's just for basic productivity tasks that don't require much power, you may be able to get VMware Fusion for free through your university (Dreamspark and the like), as well as a copy of Windows. Otherwise, Virtualbox.

There's nothing wrong with Boot Camp, however the Macs make slightly shabby Windows laptops IMO due to the trackpad, and of course using Boot Camp is extra hassle. You could do both (Boot Camp and run it as a VM) however you then don't get to use App Nap, nor can you suspend the VM (well, you can if you make a certain change, however it is potentially dangerous).

andrewohare · 10 Mar 2015 at 09:39

Bootcamp works better but cant switch OS without reboot plus you have to buy windows licence
VM works well Buts costs
Parallels is good but expensive

Aston998 · 10 Mar 2015 at 12:04

Ah okay

I don't mind having to reboot! What would be the best/cheap way?

andrewohare · 10 Mar 2015 at 12:29

Aston998 said:
Ah okay I don't mind having to reboot! What would be the best/cheap way?

Imo boot camp for the full windows experience but will need a windows disc and licence and if you like to switch OS note fly can be a pain

vm fusion is about 50 quid
Parallels is about 40 quid

Might be some on Mac app store cheaper and does same thing I dunno

Deleted member 77746 · 10 Mar 2015 at 12:39

Virtual Box = https://www.virtualbox.org/

FREE.

squerble · 10 Mar 2015 at 13:06

Still need a Windows license to run a VM (VirtualBox). Not fair to say it's free.

Deleted member 77746 · 10 Mar 2015 at 13:09

squerble said:
Still need a Windows license to run a VM (VirtualBox). Not fair to say it's free.

Virtual box is free, never said anything about an OS.

tom_e · 10 Mar 2015 at 13:22

You'll need a windows licence for all of the options.