Cheapest/best way to run windows software on a Mac?

[whereisbkp]

Parrallels? Boot Camp? Vmware Fusion?
i'm looking to run windows Cubase 4 on my Intel Mac using one of the above..

Also, what's the cheapest way to find Windows XP?

[illynoise]

since bootcamp is free, I guess that's your answer.

[PlatinumSamples]

You'll need to buy a copy of Windows no matter which option you choose.

Check to make sure your audio drivers work under a VM or you'll have to use Boot Camp.

Rail

[DJDJ]

Not Necessarily True. Crossover does not require windows to run. Supposedly the best, though I don't know if it is compatible with Cubase.

Windows Applications Seamlessly Integrated on Mac OS X - CrossOver Mac

To the OP:

Why not just use the mac version of Cubase 4? Surely if you own it you can get the mac installer for free or for a cheap crossgrade?

[diogo_c]

vmware is no good for audio or other high-demand application. i've tried several here and it's good to test server setups and that kind of stuff which doesnt use lots of cpu and demands lower latency and so on.

[mmcfarlane]

The boxed version of Cubase 4 comes with both OSX and Windows versions on the install disk.

[DJDJ]

Originally Posted by mmcfarlane

The boxed version of Cubase 4 comes with both OSX and Windows versions on the install disk.

That's what I had imagined. Curious why the OP want to use windows on a mac for somethis this CPU heavy?

[tritace]

well, i downloaded a free copy of bootcamp and then had to buy a version of xp (has to be SP2). I got an OEM from ebay which was still £60 and quite annoying as I already have paid fro xp on a previous pc machine, but never got the install disk.

Anyway, it works good, but I don't think it works as well as it should. Iv got a 2ghz macbook, with the same processor and memory as my PC desktop, and there is no way it will run the same projects as the PC does. I dont know why.

Its handy though, I take my macbook anywhere and iv got Cubase, pro tools and logic all on the computer. very usefull, and worth it.

t

[sardi]

Originally Posted by tritace

Anyway, it works good, but I don't think it works as well as it should. Iv got a 2ghz macbook, with the same processor and memory as my PC desktop, and there is no way it will run the same projects as the PC does. I dont know why.

Probably because your desktop PC has a faster bus speed than the MacBook. Also the PC has its own dedicated graphics card, which may not be a benefit directly to your audio apps, but you will notice it on more graphic intensive tasks.

[mmcfarlane]

Laptops also typically have slower a single 5400RPM hard disks. Laptops are about convenience and saving power, not performance.

Check Cubase' and XP performance meters and see if you are maxing out the harddisk, or the CPU.