Using Windows Software on a Mac Computer

[GAX]

So in recent days I've taken interest into the newer Macs, now that they've left the classic Motorola-based PowerPCs and have adapted to the Intel style PCs.  I got thinking:  this change is really goign to open the Cross-Platform market!  Well, I was semi right.   In the past few months, I've seen many new WINE-style programs on the net capable of running various programs.  Now, here's what I'm wondering:  What would be the best method of using Windows Software on a Mac.  My friends and I currently use Crossover Games for gameplay, but it is limited and it's only really used for Steam.

So here I am, asking the advice of those who are into this:  what should we do?  We've run Parallelz before, but it's very sluggish.  We also don't use Bootcamp because we want to maintain the security of a Mac but have the abilities of a PC.

[Moss.]

Don't be so picky. Use Bootcamp and Crossover. They work just fine.

Running windows on a mac through bootcamp is exactly like running windows on any other computer. The security is up to you. Download antivirus and firewall and blah blah blah get all the stuff yourself and it'll be fine.

Or just don't connect it to the internet when it's in windows mode.


I use Bootcamp to run games and heavy stuff, and I use cross-over for lighter programs.

[Irock]

If you're running Windows on a Mac, you can get viruses just as easily as on a non-macintosh computer, it just won't effect anything other than your Windows files. If you're concerned about firewall security, Windows has a good enough firewall.

Basically, you're not going to make Windows immune to threats, no matter what program is used to run it, or what hardware it's on, whether it's a virtual machine, or a Boot Camp. Your best bet would be to use Boot Camp. It'll run Windows at a native speed.

[GAX]

I plan to use Bootcamp with my computer if I buy a Mac Book, and I'm pretty well set for security, it's my friend who's the picky one.  We got Crossover for him so he could join me in playing Perfect World International, but we keep getting crashes in CrossOver.  Hopefully this issue gets fixed, but til then I was wondering what the community's thoughts were.

[tSwitch]

your friend can get over his paranoia xD
Nobody is going to bother hacking his computer to find his hidden porn stash or something
just get AVG and if you dont have a hardware firewall (router) then get a software one, and you'll be fine.

as far as virtual machiens go, I suggest VMWare Fusion over Parallels, and I personally never could get Crossovers to work when I had a mac n_n;;

[leetachu]

If you're running Windows on a Mac, you can get viruses just as easily as on a non-macintosh computer, it just won't effect anything other than your Windows files. If you're concerned about firewall security, Windows has a good enough firewall.

Basically, you're not going to make Windows immune to threats, no matter what program is used to run it, or what hardware it's on, whether it's a virtual machine, or a Boot Camp. Your best bet would be to use Boot Camp. It'll run Windows at a native speed.

Windows default firewall is the most used firewall in the world. Period. It is the most easily circumvented and exploited via established knowledge of it's security flaws. NOE. DO NOT use the default firewall especially if you run torrents and download cracks,serials etc.

AVG registers any crack program which alter's registry as malware and serial sites as malicous code how the hell are you going to get a virus from a line of text is beyond me but AVG is fail for the piracy crowd.

I use zone alarm with anti virus and allow and remember setting for all my applications and connection protocols and it promts me for any new or unknown connection attempt.

[ahref]

rofl. you cant stop any mac computer from getting a virus 100% either. AVG does not register cracks as malware . Stop talking about software firewalls and get a hardware one. A ROUTER YAY.

[Link]

AVG and most other anti virus software do mistake cracks as malware 

[haloOfTheSun]

Don't use AVG I don't know what I'm talking about.

You should use AVG simply because he says you shouldn't. And AVG has never mistaken a crack as malware for me. Ever.