The other kept track of which programs were open at the moment for easy switching, like the taskbar (Windows) or the Application menu (Mac OS 9). One listed unopened programs until you needed them, like the Start menu (Windows) or the Launcher (Mac OS 9).

Using a VM is cheaper than buying a dedicated PC for this.For years, most operating systems maintained two lists of programs.

Remote Desktop: Worth setting up if you have a Windows PC already.

CrossOver: Not worth paying for over Wine.

Inferior to a VM if you want to run lots of apps, as many don't work in Wine.

Wine: Handy to keep around if you only run a handful Windows programs on your Mac.

Boot Camp: Best for those who need their machine's full power when running Windows, like when playing video games.

Doesn't offer powerful performance for games.

Virtual Machine: Best for anyone who wants to use a variety of Windows software along with their Mac apps without having to reboot into Windows.

Let's review the five methods in turn to summarize what kind of user can benefit from each: Just because a virtual machine is the best method for the average user to use Windows apps on a Mac, it doesn't mean it's the best solution for you. How Do You Run Windows Software on Your Mac? Our complete guide to VirtualBox will help you if you decide to try it, though. It also isn't quite as smooth as Parallels, since the latter was specifically designed for macOS. However, VirtualBox requires you to perform the setup yourself. Parallels costs $80, while VirtualBox is free. Indeed, Parallels has surged ahead of VMware Fusion. Coherence mode lets you run Windows apps right alongside Mac apps, even pinning them to your Dock, and get Windows out of the way. You don't have to configure anything or even download Windows yourself during the setup - the software does it all for you. Parallels offers the best VM user experience, especially for beginners. On macOS, you'll find three big VM names: Parallels, VMware Fusion, and VirtualBox. The virtual OS thinks it's running on a real computer, but you have full control over it thanks to the virtualization software. Virtual machines allow you to run operating systems inside a piece of software. Here's an overview of them all, plus our favorite method that will suit most people.

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