Can pretend to be Win98, Win2000, or WinXP. Nearly any x86 OS.Ĭrossover Mac: Runs Windows software as native Mac OS X apps with emulation libraries in place of Microsoft libraries. A true Windows install but with only partial access to the hardware leading to poor 3D performance, slightly reduced CPU performance, and much lower disk performance. A true Windows install with full access to all the hardware and software though only Windows XP SP2 is currently supported. After you have it installed, what can you do with it? First lets compare it with the other options:īootcamp: The real deal. If you did not install X11 to your computer you will have to install a library (quartz-wm) from your Mac OS X install disk, it will guide you through the steps. Just download the DMG, mount it, and drag the Crossover application to your Applications directory. Installation of Crossover Mac couldn’t be simpler. Codeweavers has now released a beta of Crossover Mac which is a repackaging of WINE with additional compatibility modifications and more user friendly tools. BootcampĪnother entrant has joined the race to capture the dollars of those who wish to run Windows software on their Intel Macs. However, users need to consider a roughly 10% performance penalty, as its host must share the hardware resources with whichever guest OS is being operated. Parallels Desktop, on the other hand, incorporates all the extra features of a virtual machine, meaning that it offers users the convenience of running multiple operating systems simultaneously including a wide variety of supported platforms, which is great for getting the job done.

Watch how to import Windows from Boot Camp into Parallels Desktop Try Free More Info.

If you need more storage, it can take it. And although you will be asked how much disk space you want to afford the virtual Windows 10 installation, this is – unlike a Boot Camp partition – dynamic.

Like Boot Camp, Parallels handles the Windows installation for you – you don’t even have to have the image downloaded in advance.

But which can cater to your needs, and are there more benefits for one than the other?

Parallels Desktop, on the other hand, seeks to solve a widespread demand for running not one but multiple operating systems on a single computer in a secure and trusted environment. Boot Camp is Apple's own answer to consumer demand, and as a part of macOS represents a huge advantage as it eliminates the need to download any third-party apps.

It's not specifically a virtual machine, but you cannot avoid talking about Boot Camp when it comes to running Windows on a Mac.

Bootcamp or parallels