Dan's Tech Tips: Using Windows On Your Mac Via Boot Camp Statistics show that computers running the Windows Operating system control about 80 percent of the market while Apple computers control about 15 percent and the remaining computers operate under DOS, Linux or other operating systems. This is an important statistic when deciding the best computer for your needs. Many variables come into play, including these statistics as well as post high school educational goals or career choice. Most music and art careers gravitate toward the Apple computer. Most business careers tend to operate in the Windows environment. Apple has now included a pretty good screen magnification and screen reader in their basic operating system. Windows has greatly improved their screen magnification but their included screen reader is still pretty bad. Most aftermarket assistive technologies are available only for a Windows computer. Some believe that the Apple operating system is less virus prone and easier to use. All these variables as well as your past computer experience are taken into consideration when the computer platform is chosen. As a result, the majority of recommendations for computers for our customers with disabilities will be made on the Windows operating system. Occasionally, an Apple operating system may be an appropriate choice. In some cases, there are needs to run Windows based software on an Apple based computer. Choices use to be limited to software emulation or setting up virtual machines which were complex and resulted in slower operation. Another option now is running the Apple included Boot Camp software on Mac computers running the OS X v10.5 and later operating system to then install a licensed copy of Windows. This tech tip will discuss this option. Website http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1461 Price Cost of Windows operating system as listed at CDW http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?wclss=F34&Attr5778=TRANS50608296&Attr5782=TRANS50601708&Attr1500=TRANS50001504 Microsoft Windows 7 Professional - complete package $305.99 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate - complete package $317.99 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium - complete package $206.99 Website information Excerpts from this site include: Mac 101: Using Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp Last Modified: June 11, 2010 Article: HT1461 Old Article: 306703 Summary Mac OS X v10.5 and later includes Boot Camp that lets you run Microsoft Windows. If there's a PC application you need to use, get a copy of Windows and start up Boot Camp. Products Affected Windows XP, Boot Camp, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X v10.5, Mac OS X v10.6 Run Windows at native speed You can run the Windows operating system on your Mac at native speed--without the performance penalty that comes with software emulation or "virtual machines." Windows applications have full access to multiple processors and multiple cores, accelerated 3D graphics, and high-speed ports and networking such as USB, FireWire, Wi-Fi, AirPort, and Gigabit Ethernet. Boot Camp drivers for Windows that let you use these features are on the Mac OS X installation DVD, as well as drivers for audio and Bluetooth. The drivers are automatically installed when you insert the disc into your Mac after installing Windows. Boot Camp supports Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (requires Mac OS X v10.6 or later and Boot Camp 3.1 or later). For more details, see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1899 For information about using 64-bit editions of Windows Vista or Windows 7, see Boot Camp: Macs that work with 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846 Boot Camp Assistant creates a partition just for Windows without erasing your existing Mac OS X volume. After running Boot Camp and installing Windows, you can switch between Windows and Mac OS X by holding the Option (Alt) key at start up. Or, use the Startup Disk control panel in Windows (installed with Boot Camp drivers from the Mac OS X installation disc) or Mac OS X Startup Disk preferences to set the default operating system to use each time the computer starts up. Requirements To use Boot Camp, you need: 1. An Intel-based Macintosh computer with a built-in or USB keyboard and a built-in trackpad or USB mouse. 2. Mac OS X v10.5 or later. 3. The latest firmware updates available for your Intel-based Mac. 4. At least 10 GB of free space on your startup disk (single partition). 5. A full, single-disc version of Windows 7 (Mac OS X v10.6 or later only), Windows Vista, Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later. Boot Camp does not include Windows. You must provide your own properly licensed installation disc. Important: A Windows XP installation disc must include Service Pack 2 (SP2). You cannot install an earlier version of Windows and upgrade to Windows XP, nor install an earlier version of Windows XP and update it to SP2. Media Center, OEM, and upgrade versions of Windows XP are not recommended. 6. Boot Camp Assistant (find it installed in /Applications/Utilities/). For more details, see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1899 Before installing Boot Camp Before you install, follow these steps: 1. Always back up important data before any software installation. 2. Print the "Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide" (Mac OS X v10.6 version http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Boot_Camp_Install-Setup_10.6.pdf or Mac OS X v10.5 version) PDF document. http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Boot_Camp_Install-Setup_10.6.pdf 3. Update your Intel-based Mac to the latest version of Mac OS X. Use Software Update, in the Apple menu to check for the latest software. 4. Download and install the latest firmware updates available for your Mac. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the firmware installation. See Firmware updates for Intel-based Macs for more information. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303880 Installing Boot Camp For specific installation steps, refer to the "Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide" PDF document that you printed, starting with Step 2 in the PDF, "Open Boot Camp Assistant". For Windows 7, you may wish to also read the Windows 7 installation frequently asked questions. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3986 Additional Information See also: Boot Camp 3.0, Mac OS X 10.6: Frequently asked questions. Important: Apple does not provide technical phone support for installing, using, or recovering Microsoft Windows. Support is available for using Boot Camp Setup Assistant, as well as installing or restoring Boot Camp software while booted into Windows. Support articles and discussions may also be available on Apple's support website. If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address: dthompson5@xxxxxxxxx _________________________ Robert Acosta, President Helping Hands for the Blind Email: boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx Web Site: www.helpinghands4theblind.org You can assist Helping Hands for the Blind by donating your used computers to us. If you have a blind friend in need of a computer, please mail us at the above address.