I switched to Mac two years ago and have held out on getting the Windows license--- perhaps until now. I'm thinking I need it. I called someone and they estimate $200 for Windows and about 4 hours of labor at $75/hour.... so $500 + tax altogether. Does that seem reasonable to anyone? I would just need this machine for quoting purposes and nothing else. It would need to be tied to a printer as well so that is another consideration.... Anyone been this route?
What type of MAC? Are you talking about dual booting into Windows? You could use Parallels or VMware (each costs less than $100) and run Windows and MAC OS at the same time. You would need a Windows license to load into Parallels or VMware, but you shouldn't have to pay anyone a set up fee to install it.
WTF? Labor for what? Are you joking? I bet half the kids posting on the GARM could do all that in 30 minutes. Seriously, though, why would you want to PAY for someone to do that...? It's not that difficult... or am I just thinking you're asking about something else? I bet one of us older IT peeps would just LOVE doing it for free...
If you are going to dual-boot into Windows or run Parallels or VMware and run Windows and MAC OS at the same time, you need a licensed copy of Windows.
I'm going to get windows for my mac too so I can take some extra classes on-line. I'm going to get something called bootcamp, you split your hard drive and run both on your computer. Goto the Apple store and they will be happy to help you.
Although Parallels may cost money, I think you will appreciate it more than boot camp. With boot camp, you are either running Windows or MAC OS, so you have to reboot in order to change OS. With Parallels, it is an application that runs under MAC OS and you can load up Windows, Linux, or whatever OS you choose to and run it in parallel with no reboot required. No need to split your hard drive, either.
Yes, how can he charge you 4 hours? 1 hour max, just get your kid to do it for you or get your neighbor's kid.
I agree. First, the installation shouldn't cost you any money. There HAS to be someone you know who can help you out for free. Second, use that money on Parallels, or my personal choice, VMWare Fusion. Fusion was on sale during black Friday for $40, but I think it's back up to $80 or whatever.
What's so hard about following step by step on screen instructions? Dang, I will do it for half that labor price!
Virtual Box is just like Fusion. Only free. Better than boot camp because you can use both systems at the same time.
March right down to the iPod touch development team and ask them why the heck doesn't my Touch alarm feature use my music playlists to wake up like my old iPod classic did! Whatever were they thinking?
I'm sure I'll explore one of the suggested alternate routes. I've been looking around at some of the software solutions. I bought the Mac at a CompUSA store which is now closed. The closest Apple store is 60 miles away. I just spoke with my son who got me into the Macs and he's never gone back to the PC world; he's into video production on the Mac. I'm on my own here in NC so I may just pony up the bucks to make sure it is done right.
I assume VMWare is as simple to use as Parallels. With either of these, you install them on the MAC and then it is a piece of cake to install Windows onto them. The boot camp method is trickier.
I forgot about that. Virtual Box is an excellent alternative, and totally free. Download it, install it, then install your copy inside the Virtual Box program. Like bobrek said, it's even easier to install though here rather than a dual boot. Basically you pop in the Vista disc and install it like you would on a normal computer. I'm sure the Virtual Box website will walk you through it, although I doubt you will even need it.
