<p>Hi, I am looking into purchasing a laptop of some type for college soon. I was thinking about the Macbook because I heard you can switch from MAC to PC, and so forth.</p>
<p>Is this a simple process to do this? I heard about something called Bootcamp. Is this a separate thing you have to purchase so that you can run both Mac or PC, and are any other additional charges associated with trying to run both Mac and PC on your Macbook?</p>
<p>Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Intel-processor based Macs CAN run Windows, with Bootcamp (or Parallels Desktop), but you will also have to invest in purchasing Windows. Think carefully about why you want to be able to run PC-based software. As a parent, I recommended that my son purchase a Mac when entering college because (1) it was much less prone to viruses than PCs and (2) We purchased a model that would make it harder for him to play some of his favorite PC games, which were otherwise sure to distract him from studying! </p>
<p>Because he was worried about possible future need to run PC-based software, we got him a model with sufficient memory so that, if he decided in the future that he absolutely needed to run PC software, he could make the additional investment in the Windows OS (and Parallels desktop) and do so. Remember that Microsoft Office has a Mac-based version, so your basic "schoolwork" applications are all available for the Mac.</p>
<p>Ok macs are less prone to viruses than pc's mainly because the general population of pc user's don't tend to take the necessary security precautions. Vicious people that create viruses like to prey on the stupid. The smart pc users don't use internet explorer, don't open mysterious email attachments, use firewalls, and use virus scanners. The only virus I've ever contracted is from a USB flash drive owned by a mac user - they didn't know it was there! Don't think owning a mac prevents you from getting virus's - you may just be spreading it around unknowingly!</p>
<p>Phew.. glad to get that off my chest.
Anyway, I don't know much about how the dual operating system works out with mac OS & windows (I'm a PC girl). All I know is, you'll have to install both operating systems, choose a default, and then probably set it up so that you can choose which one at start up. Bootcamp may be a program that will help you do this.</p>
<p>I know personally that I need PC compatibility for many software programs I need especially for my major. None of the specialty programs I'm referring to work on macs.</p>
<p>"The smart pc users don't use internet explorer, don't open mysterious email attachments, use firewalls, and use virus scanners." While I don't use Internet Explorer any longer there is nothing wrong with IE that makes it any worse than FireFox. And there are people out there who don't use real time virus scanners and/or software firewalls. Yes, they are secure. It's all about browsing practices. No need to get into that here since that isn't the focus of this thread.</p>
<p>Now for BootCamp. It is extremely easy to setup. The two things you'll need are a copy of your OS X CD and a copy of Windows (XP or Vista). When you start up OS X, you'll open up the Hard Drive icon and go into Applications then Utilities. Look for BootCamp. Run it and follow the instructions. Make sure to leave a decent amount of space to run Windows, and a couple of applications you'll need. Bootcamp will create the partition for Windows on your harddrive. Then it will tell you what to do as far as when to insert the XP/Vista CD.</p>
<p>Once Windows is setup, you'll insert the OS X to install the drivers for the hardware in your Mac. Once that's good to go, you're basically done. When you turn off the computer and turn it back on again the OS that will start up will be the last one you used. If for whatever reason you want to switch what you'll do is hold the OPTION key on your Mac as soon as you hear the startup chime. It will give you the option of whether to start in OS X or Windows. That's basically it. It's really simple. It's the first thing I did with my Mac Mini.</p>
<p>Be aware that if you catch any viruses on your Windows partition it can screw up your OS X partition. And be aware that your OS X partition can actually hold Windows viruses (though they won't be harmful to the OS X itself but if it gets into Windows it can be executed and then do its which can then extend itself to possible damage to OS X).</p>
<p>It's very simple to setup. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot everyone.</p>
<p>Umm...I'm not too sure why I want a MAC or a PC. I kind of want both? Which is why I want a Mac using Bootcamp. But I will definitely have to do more research. </p>
<p>Question though: Is bootcamp something you have to pay for?</p>
<p>Probably, I assume.</p>
<p>Bootcamp is free, but you have to pay for a Windows license. The cost of this license varies based on edition (XP home/pro & Vista Home basic/premium/business/Ultimate) and type (OEM licenses are about 1/2 the cost, but cannot be transferred to a new computer- you can reinstall, but only on that motherboard- not so much of an issue with notebooks).</p>
<p>Vista Ultimate (fully featured, might be overkill) is $170 on Newegg.com (great etailer, I've ordered from them a lot).</p>
<p>Vista x64 is more secure due to numerous new features but is only supported on very new Macbook Pros and Macbooks. It also has some incompatibility with older external devices - really old scanners and printers. I've used both and the x64 is more stable, (X32 is what most PCs are today but everything is moving over to x64).</p>
<p>Price isn't too bad if you buy the OEM and do the rebates for the "Bonus Pack". $170 ultimate gets you $50 PC transfer software, 80GB mini (portable sized) external hard drive, high end router from D-link, pocket router, and a photo printer. Google "Vista Bonus Pack" for the specifics- if you install it yourself, you qualify.</p>