Getting XP or Vista ... or somethign

[Jayems]

I'm a mac dude. I need to run a legit copy of windows through either parallels or bootcamp on my computer. However, I don't need windows to be crazy and I don't want to spend $120 on Windows 7 just so I can do 2 things with it.

Are there places that sell old copies of Windows for like $20-$40? Everywhere i go, they only sell the new version.

[SebC]

Avoid Vista like the plague. Good luck, don't know where you'll find a cheap copy.

[sclitheroe]

$120 for Windows 7 is pretty fair. It’s a one time expense, and its not outrageous compared to a new version of OS X (other than Snow Leopard, which was a very cheap upgrade)

Windows 7 is likely to be more secure, and more “self maintaining” compared to XP - as a Mac user you’re probably not that interested in having to maintain the Windows side of your machine as meticulously as you would your main OS, so I would go with 7.

[BlackArcher101]

Are you a student or know one that is?

They get awesome discounts on windows.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Are you someone with a peg-leg or know one that is?

They get even more awesome discounts on windows.

Fixed your post...

Just don't use windows update.

[photon]

eBay seems to have some.

Or if the software is pretty standard stuff you could try Crossover:

http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/

Runs Windows apps on a Mac without using a virtual machine, basically emulates and translates the API calls on the fly.

[Jayems]

Yeah, after looking at several stores, the $120 was for upgrading a previous version of windows. Some wanted $180 and others like $220 for Windows 7 regular. For what I need it for, there's no way to justify spending that much.

[FanIn80]

Get the OEM full versions from MemEx. Both are only $129.

32bit: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...25757(ME).aspx
64bit: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...25758(ME).aspx

[Jayems]

My problem has been temporarily solved, but now boot camp won't partition the drive. Says I have to save my hdd, format it, then re-load everything and try again. Not doing that. Using VMWare virtual machine's 30 day trial in the interim. Thanks for the help anyways.

[llama64]

VMWare is my favorite option for running Windows on OS X. Bootcamp is too much of a pain to deal with - by my needs are pretty minimal for Windows apps (Internet Explorer).

[photon]

Instead of VMware you can use Virtualbox, same kind of thing and it's free.

I use Parallels for Windows stuff on my MBP.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by photon

I use Parallels for Windows stuff on my MBP.

That's what I've got. Do you have issues using USB devices with it?

[photon]

Never tried actually, just have it so my wife can use the higher end version of Quickbooks.

PITA to maintain a whole Windows install just so she can use it.

[ericschand]

Originally Posted by photon

Instead of VMware you can use Virtualbox, same kind of thing and it's free.

I'll second that for VirtualBox.

http://www.virtualbox.org

Same as VMWare, but free. I used to use VMWare but switched to this one.
Found it quicker and simple to use.

ers

[FanIn80]

I was the opposite. I could never get Virtual Box to work properly. If memory serves... I was trying to use it on my mac to boot a linux install. I ended up just downloading and installing VM Fusion to do it.

It was just before Christmas, so it was a fairly new version. Admittedly, I didn't really spend a whole lot of time on it. I needed to get up and running fast, so I gave it a couple attempts before deleting it and going with Fusion (which I knew would work).

There was probably something simple I was missing that was preventing me from getting VBox running.

[Buff]

Parallels isn't that great.

I too have problems with USB devices. Such as my keyboard and mouse. Really sucks to navigate through windows and shut it down so you can regain mouse and keyboard in the mac side of things.

I'm going to use bootcamp instead and just boot to windows. In my work environment I need to be in Windows, and don't really have a use for mac products.... now to find the time to restage my computer for bootcamp.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Buff

Parallels isn't that great.

I too have problems with USB devices. Such as my keyboard and mouse. Really sucks to navigate through windows and shut it down so you can regain mouse and keyboard in the mac side of things.

I'm going to use bootcamp instead and just boot to windows.

Good to know I'm not the only one.

Keyboard and mouse are okay. As were USB drives. I had issues trying to plug in my cell to save text messages and pics. I've still got a PC for a laptop. If I get rid of that in favour of a macbook I'll look into bootcamp. For now I like the convenience of parrallels for the few windows apps I run (or walking through pc problems with family members).

[Buff]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Good to know I'm not the only one.

Keyboard and mouse are okay. As were USB drives. I had issues trying to plug in my cell to save text messages and pics. I've still got a PC for a laptop. If I get rid of that in favour of a macbook I'll look into bootcamp. For now I like the convenience of parrallels for the few windows apps I run (or walking through pc problems with family members).

I had a USB key plugged in for a couple of days, and suddenly my system came to a crashing halt. I don't know what made me decide to unplug it, but I did, and then I was able to use the computer again.

Anytime a windows program has a pop up (ie. new mail notification, or windows update notification etc.) The focus goes right to Parallels. Very annoying, especially when you are typing out something in the mac world.