Something to run Windows apps on Mac 10.4

hypnotoad

Hi guys..

Our 16-user Mac department would like to start using Quickbooks on their Macintoshes (24" iMac's with Core 2 Duo's and 2 gigs RAM on OS X Tiger). Unfortunately, we only have PC copies Quickbooks available, and don't really want to purchase Mac version.

So I don't really know much about virtualizing Windows to run on Mac. Are there any free solutions out there? Looks like vmware fusion costs. I am not familiar with running PC on Mac. Any suggestions for a free program so we can get XP on Mac Hosts?

Thanks in advance...

HeroPsycho

No freebies I'm aware of.

If VMWare Fusion is too expensive, you might want to check out Parallels.

dynamik

I know Quickbooks is expensive, but is it cheaper than purchasing a Windows license and Parallels/VMWare Fusion? How many extra PC versions do you have?

poortech

the free solution is WINE the famous program that works under linux and to get that under mac there is 2 ways:
- Install the mac version of WINE and its "darwine" but the problem its an old version because the project is discontinued
- Install "macport" www.macports.org and this allow you to install linux programs under OSX
and its easy : download and install macport and Xcode from the tiger DVD.
in command type "macport selfupdate" to update the database of software
and after run macport dmg wine to create a DMG file or macport install wine to install it directly to your box
Good luck

hypnotoad

We have enough PC versions to where it would work out cheaper to try and get virtualization than get all new versions for Mac.

I don't think the Mac people will want to install anything too fancy. The systems are mostly used for Photoshop and Final Cut. It's a real shame I can't find a free one like VMWare Server or microsoft's virtual server.

dynamik

You realize you'll still need licenses for XP or Vista on each machine too, right? It looks like the Mac version of Quickbooks 2008 Pro is only $200. You're going to have to find a sweet deal to get virtualization and Windows for less than that. You'll also have the ongoing costs of administration and more complexity for your users. I don't see a lot of sense in going that route when there's a Mac version available.

You can see if you can find a virtualization product that might better suit your needs here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_virtual_machines

Have you thought about setting up a terminal server or something like that? Microsoft has a remote desktop client for Macs.

It looks like the Mac version is a year behind though. Do you need interoperability with the PC versions?

hypnotoad

interoperability ? no not really. We have a site license for XP (MS gold partner).

I don't think we have a big enough TS to handle 16 people using quickbooks at once.

I just hate having to dish out $3200 for quickbooks just because the Mac people want to use it -- we have perfectly good PCs not being used to their potential

hypnotoad

So I tried virtualBox -- http://www.virtualbox.org/

It's pretty sweet. It boots up XP in about 12 seconds on a last year's 24" iMacs. I am still fighting it a little bit -- as the processor seems to hit 100% whenever there is network activity, and it crashes whenever going in and out of full screen. Hopefully these can be worked around.

All in all, it is a pretty good app!