Comments on: Mobile Tech Minutes: Windows on a MacBook

By: Fran

Fran — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:27:48 +0000

I need to access Quicken on line and it requires Windows so I am planning on getting Parallels or VM Fusion to run on my iMac (Intel, 2.4 Ghz, OS X 10.5.6). I will probably run Windows XP, not Vista. From Quicken I need to download data to an Excel spreadsheet. Do I need to get Microsoft Office for Windows or can I somehow download from Quicken to the Excel version I have in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac. Thanks.

By: Joe O'Laughlin

Joe O'Laughlin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:07:06 +0000

I’m not comfortable without a chillpad cooling the MacBook Pro when running Mac and XP using VM Fusion. So, that’s a lot to carry and find power for. Using the Mac USB port for 2 fans eventually gets the Mac to optimize for it’s own needs and shut that USB draw down, off and on.

So..I don’t run both very often. I was a OneNote fan. Now I use CircusPonies Notebook 3.0 .

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:58:44 +0000

Deep Notes

By: Tax Man

Tax Man — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:29:59 +0000

James,

What is the notes app for Mac that you mention? I couldn’t find where you talked about it before searching the site. I’d like to check that out.

By: cary phillips

cary phillips — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:05:56 +0000

I wouldn’t run both os’s at the same time either. But it makes it easier to switch if you need to; like in the middle of a video

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:00:34 +0000

Good point about the snapshots, I’ve been meaning to do that. I do use the suspend a fair bit, you’re right it’s instant on in that regard. I don’t run Vista and Win7 at the same time though as it makes little sense to tie up the memory with both active at once. With only 3 GB there’s not enough to go around for 3 OSes running at once.

By: cary phillips

cary phillips — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:54:41 +0000

Mike: OS/X will run on a Toshiba M200 tabletpc. (or so i’ve heard

James,

I’m running vmware instead of parallels, but I think they both work in the same manner. You should be able to suspend your vm. This would make it start up instantly. If you have both your vista and win7 vm’s suspended you could switch fairly quickly.

Also you can create a snapshot image after you install. Then if anything happens you can roll back to that snapshot instead of having to reinstall. Makes testing software easier because you create a snapshot, install new software, roll back after finishing.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:10:00 +0000

I’m very sorry you feel that way Bart. I view it totally different, I use both operating systems as I showed in this video. I’m not sure how that qualifies as being biased against MS. I use it because I need it and make that clear. We cover all operating systems and tools here on jkOnTheRun. It seems no matter what we cover there are those who find it “biased” which is not the case.

I hope you stick around but if not have a good life.

By: richard garrett

richard garrett — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:08:52 +0000

I’ve never understood the passion of the Mac/MS debate and how perceived slights or biases can drive people away from discussions that they claim to otherwise enjoy. James has just admitted to using both op systems just like many do. What I wish more of from JKontheRun are podcasts. meanwhile I find the product reviews, usage patterns and ongoing experience reports very useful and entertaining. BTW, I seldom watch the videos. I don’t have the time or patience for ‘em. Of course I don’t do YouTube either. That’s just me. Other results may vary!

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:07:34 +0000

The HDD is formatted OS X.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:07:02 +0000

Coherence mode is cool but I find it more productive to keep the two OSes separate. That may just be a mental thing but I have often been accused of being mental.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:06:05 +0000

No I don’t but I probably should. My feeling is if I get a problem I’ll delete the virtual machine and recreate it. My data is safe on the OS X side.

By: Bart

Bart — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:32:28 +0000

well, this video cements it for me…..

i guess i would be classified as an MS fanboy…i have built my entire career on MS products and proud of it. i am not blind to apple and have always been impressed with the design of their products. they are absolutely a revolutionary force in the it world. i personally don’t see their fit in the business world whatsoever but that’s just me.

but the real point here, i can no longer be a regular viewer of your site. both of you guys, for whatever reason, have become complete apple biased. and yes, i admit it….as an it director, i used your site as an invaluable tool for research on great mobile products. but lately, it is so heavily negative against MS, that i am done. i am sure you guys are doing well being suddenly in love with all that is apple but it doesn’t suit me any more.

good luck to you.

By: Mike Reilly

Mike Reilly — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:23:51 +0000

I’ve always wanted a Mac, but I also need my PC.

This would be perfect, if only Apple would make a tablet w/ keyboard.

(Of course, I’d like it to also be very light, with good screen, and powerful.)

By: drphysx

drphysx — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:17:01 +0000

Hey James,

you could have also demonstrated coherence mode, I’m sure some people would find that even more exciting

By: Trevor Nelson

Trevor Nelson — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:47:50 +0000

James,
Have you left the HDD formatted as FAT32 for both OS’s, and have you run into any instances where the 4GB file cap has been an issue with the Windows install?
I imagine your Outlook or OneNote folders are fairly sizable.
I’m looking at buying a Macbook Pro here in the near future and while using a Powerbook to get used to OSX I ran into the limit.
I read about some who format the two partitions separately, but not sure if it’s really an issue. Thanks.