Running Windows On Mac.... Welcome some expet advice.

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Gnits

Gnits

Matt O’Brien
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My main workstation is a high spec self built PC. I have a MacAir M2 for travel. I am checking out the options of running Windows on the MacAir... so
a) I can run some apps, available on Windows but not Mac
b). I can run Microsoft Office products with the same look and feel as my Office 365 apps on my main PC.

It looks to me that
1. I must use Parallels Pro on a MacAir M2.
2. Parallels is only available to me at a subscription of approx €100 per annum
3. I need to purchase Windows Pro at a one off cost of €260.

The annual sub of Parallels and the high Licence fee of Windows Pro look like serious barriers.

I have tried reading the Parallels and related Windows web pages on this subject, but not sure if I am grasping the key point.

For the experts out there....
1. Is my understanding correct.
2. What are the alternatives.

Ps. I do not want to consider VMware or similar, for several reasons.
 
Gnits said:
My main workstation is a high spec self built PC. I have a MacAir M2 for travel. I am checking out the options of running Windows on the MacAir... so
a) I can run some apps, available on Windows but not Mac
b). I can run Microsoft Office products with the same look and feel as my Office 365 apps on my main PC.

It looks to me that
1. I must use Parallels Pro on a MacAir M2.
2. Parallels is only available to me at a subscription of approx €100 per annum
3. I need to purchase Windows Pro at a one off cost of €260.

The annual sub of Parallels and the high Licence fee of Windows Pro look like serious barriers.

I have tried reading the Parallels and related Windows web pages on this subject, but not sure if I am grasping the key point.

For the experts out there....
1. Is my understanding correct.
2. What are the alternatives.

Ps. I do not want to consider VMware or similar, for several reasons.
Click to expand...

You’ll need to give some valid reasons for not using VMware. I tried parallels and Boot camp and decided that VMware was most convenient and easiest to use.

Office has a Mac option. I use the Mac versions of Office transparently.

I have weaned myself from all other windows apps. SoI no longer need the Windows OS for anything.






















Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I have heard there are issues with issues such as....
1. Creating a suitable ISO file.
2. Lack of certain drivers.
3. Inability to copy and paste between Mac O/S and Fusion Windows.

I sense this is a moving target at the moment, and I may not have the latest status on this.

I am keen to find a solution ...,,,, so will explore further.

Re Microsoft on Mac. I have tried Office on Mac multiple times and am always disappointed.... features missing, inability to run macros, lack of MS Access..... I am not sure when a version of Office becomes available which is identical on both platforms. I have pro Office 365 apps and it would be great if they operate the same on both.

Also, I have run into major issues using fonts on Office and then trying to open Word or PowerPoint in the equivalent Apple apps. Got badly caught with little notice before a major presentation when I had to make some tweaks to a presentation and could not edit the presentation on a Mac.

I am so happy that Lr and Ps works so seamlessly on Mac and Win. This was a reason I was also pleased with Photo Mechanic and others.. I understand you migrating to Mac based Apps.... but Windows is in my DNA ... I try to use the same apps on both, such as Beyond Compare, GoodSync, etc. to minimise conflict.
 
Gnits said:
3. I need to purchase Windows Pro at a one off cost of €260.
Click to expand...
Is the magazine PC Pro available to you? They routinely run offers on Windows for far less than that sort of money, though it is in the UK.
 
Thanks. Will check out.
 
Gnits said:
Thanks. Will check out.
Click to expand...
Just to be clear, this is for a fully legal Pro version, not some grey import or used or...
 
Super. I understand. Always the concern .. as there is a similar named site which I think sells very grey items.
 
Gnits said:
have heard there are issues with issues such as....
1. Creating a suitable ISO file.
2. Lack of certain drivers.
3. Inability to copy and paste between Mac O/S and Fusion Windows.
Click to expand...
My Word app is v16.82. It has macros (I don't know if you can copy Windows macros to Word on a Mac but you could create them. I don't use an office product enough to require macros So I can't comment on their functionality.

My Fusion License is v10, current version is v13.x and a special down load for Silicon Macs. So I can't install without an upgrade.

IIRC all drivers are managed through an interface to MacOS devices running Mac Drivers. I know Printing was using my Mac printer.

What is the purpose of the ISO files? I don't use DVDs any more.
 
It wasn't always the case, but in the recent versions of Excel/Mac I run some pretty complex VB just fine (xla files, custom toolbars and menus etc) and I regard support as equivalent. The exceptions are if a macro needs to make a DLL call, and it can be a pain finding a Mac workaround, but I'd be surprised if you were doing that kind of thing.

The lack of Access is a pain. I'm sure there must be some workaround, like running it in the cloud, but I've never dug into it.

While I'm still more comfortable on Windows, nothing has ever persuaded me to spend much of my time investigating how to run Windows on Macs. Life's too short!
 
johnbeardy said:
It wasn't always the case, but in the recent versions of Excel/Mac I run some pretty complex VB just fine (xla files, custom toolbars and menus etc) and I regard support as equivalent. The exceptions are if a macro needs to make a DLL call, and it can be a pain finding a Mac workaround, but I'd be surprised if you were doing that kind of thing.

The lack of Access is a pain. I'm sure there must be some workaround, like running it in the cloud, but I've never dug into it.

While I'm still more comfortable on Windows, nothing has ever persuaded me to spend much of my time investigating how to run Windows on Macs. Life's too short!
Click to expand...

I don’t think it matters Micrsoft attempted to stop updating Access in 2017. But backed down when users complained. It is clear that they want it to go away.

LibreOffice Base has been mentioned as an alternative. If I were in need of a database, I would opt for a real database like SQLlite.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
clee01l said:
What is the purpose of the ISO files?
Click to expand...
This is the files which contain an image of the o/s and are used to install the O/S.

Access.
A super desktop app. I prefer structured data to unstructured Excel files. Also use for admin of club competitions and adhoc needs. ... Some interesting Web based databases emerging (eg Airtable). Do not need it really on a Mac.

Word /Powerpoint/Macros .... I will check again. Ta for feedback. Do not need fancy macros...

Back to the original question.
I am waiting on an official reply from Parallels (now for several days)...as confusion (in my mind) re use of Parallels / Parallels Pro / Windows Home / Windows Pro. Microsoft tell me (on chat and their referenced web pages) I need to use Windows Pro with Parallels Pro... but that involves an annual expensive sub to Parallels. In the meantime, Windows Home is installed on my MacAir M2 under Parallels Basic and I am getting nagged to activate the o/s.

I will post any progress here.

My ideal outcome is to purchase official Win Home Licence from say PCPro.co.uk and activate successfully on my MacAir. I will use Parallels very rarely... but my MacAir is a tool for convenience ... and l come across a situation where I (or others) may need to do a PowerPoint from a Windows machine without worrying about Fonts and running MatLab under Windows saves me migrating apps from Windows to Mac.
 
clee01l said:
What is the purpose of the ISO files? I don't use DVDs any more.
Click to expand...
In Windows, you can right-click a disk image ISO and mount it (as a disk drive letter). Ie, there is no need to burn it to media, though you can do that as well.
 
Quick update.

I have finally had a response from Parallels. Full of legalese. Bottom line indicates Win Home should work, but Microsoft will not offer support.

My view is that Parallels are responsible to get Win O/S working on their product, because that is what they sold me.

As I already have purchased Parallels and Win Home is installed and appears to be working, but with a constant nag to activate a Win licence, my next steps are to procure a Win Home licence and see if I can activate it.

My experience with Parallels has been horrendous so far.

My hope is that I will get it working and my MacAir will stay working for the next 5 years or so, by which time I will probably be using my phone for everything.
 
There are sites that sell valid and legal Windows keys for quite cheap.
 
Thanks. I found a recognised global business where I purchased a Win 11 Home oem licence for approx 70 euros.

I might have purchased from other sites at much cheaper price, but only wanted to deal with an obviously legitimate seller.

I was able to purchase with
Paypal, got licence key within 30 secs and it activated successfully on my MacAir M2 with Parallels 2 mins later. Fingers crossed.

For anyone reading this thread.
1. This has been a horrendous experience and I am familiar with purchasing licences on a global scale for large corporations.
2. I am seriously critical of Parallels for a) not wrapping the sale of Parallels in simple English instead of complex legalese. b). Taking so long to provide an answer to the most fundamental question.

If I was doing it again I would seriously consider a VMware based solution.

I sense that both Microsoft and Parallels position on this (or at least the fine print) may have moved since I actually purchased Parallels, but that is no excuse for such poor product info and support of a new customer. I also sense VMware products are changing. I do not have time to forensically investigate the small print on a complex licence. I simply want the ability to run a few Windows based apps a few times a year.

Thanks all for the feedback.
 
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