[XDreams] (1) Boot Camp in context of Parallels; (2) CrossOver does not require Windows

[Graham Perrin]

On 16 Nov 2006, at 06:27, Mark Gibson wrote:

> Boot Camp ...

> CrossOver or Parallels ...

> Either option requires a full copy of Windows XP to work (i.e. you  
> have to buy a copy).

Apologies if any of this has been detailed before...


1) Apple Boot Camp is designed for Microsoft Windows XP on Apple  
hardware. Doesn't *require* Windows, but if you don't purchase/ 
license Windows then you don't have the second operating system.


##########

2) Parallels Desktop for Mac is designed for a wide range of  
operating systems, not just XP; see <http://www.parallels.com/en/ 
products/desktop/os/>. Again, you must obtain the other operating  
system(s); the Parallels product is not supplied with an OS.

For what it's worth: whilst Parallels do not explicitly support  
version 6.06 of Ubuntu Linux, I do occasionally use this version  
without difficulty.*


##########

3) I suspect that the 'Macintosh Drivers for Windows XP' CD, which  
can be burnt by Boot Camp, is useful in contexts other than Boot Camp:

>> The Boot Camp burns a CD with the drivers Windows needs to  
>> recognize Mac-specific hardware

so (for example) I guess that Windows XP in a Parallels environment  
will make better use of Apple UK keyboard layouts** if you autorun  
the 'Macintosh Drivers for Windows XP' CD after installing XP in  
Parallels.***


##########

4) CodeWeavers <http://www.codeweavers.com/> Crossover Mac does not  
require Windows; broadly speaking, it's intended to be a replacement  
for Microsoft's operating systems.

>> CrossOver is a complete replacement for your Windows OS as far as  
>> your Windows software is concerned

but at their compatibility centre <http://www.codeweavers.com/ 
compatibility/> you should check for the Windows programs in which  
you're interested. As examples:

<http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/group/?app_parent=1545>
three of four Microsoft Office 2000 applications have gold medal status

<http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/group/?app_parent=779>
four of five Microsoft Office 2003 applications have bronze medal  
status.

----------
If you're adventurous, and not inclined to pay for CodeWeavers  
software, then you might try Wine <http://www.winehq.com/>, on which  
CrossOver Mac is based. That said, CodeWeavers is the leading  
corporate backer of Wine -- and both flavours are intended to replace  
Microsoft Windows -- so I fully support spending money in the  
direction of CodeWeavers (not Microsoft).



##########

The Apple and CodeWeavers products are in beta testing.

Beta version 3 of CrossOver Mac was released on Monday and within  
their announcement I read:

>> At this point, we feel we're finally beginning to converge on a  
>> final 6.0. We still have some major issues we hope to solve,  
>> mostly with programs like Quicken 2007.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is out of beta testing.


---

* Not sure whether version 6.06 of Ubuntu halts properly within  
Parallels. But I digress...

** Recalling the dog that was Microsoft Virtual PC, I found it  
ludicrous that I could not use my keyboard to enter the backslash "\"  
character whilst using Windows.

*** Whether use of Apple's drivers beyond Boot Camp fits with Apple's  
licensing conditions, I don't know.

Regards
Graham