

#FREE CROSSOVER FOR MAC MAC OS#
Wine is an implementation of the Win32 API on Mac OS X.


With CrossOver, Windows applications run directly in Mac OS X, and not in a virtual machine.
#FREE CROSSOVER FOR MAC MAC OS X#
If you're not willing to shell out a few hundred dollars to Microsoft but still want to run Windows on your Intel-based Mac, there is one more alternative: CrossOver from CodeWeavers costs $40 and runs Windows applications on Mac OS X - without Windows.ĬrossOver is not virtualization, as evidenced by the whimsically named technology behind it: the open source Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) project. Reviewed version: 10.1.VirtualBox may be free, but you still have to own a copy of Windows. Just make sure you understand what you want to run, your support needs and have checked the Compatibility Database before you buy. Depending on your need for support and updates, CrossOver Pro may be a better value for you than CrossOver Standard. CrossOver is well worth its cost, especially if you really just need to run one or two Windows based apps on your Mac. However, its cost is very reasonable and its performance is decent, though you will likely see some level of performance hit. A commercial version of Wine, it runs a lot of games, but may not run some of the productivity software you're looking for.
#FREE CROSSOVER FOR MAC INSTALL#
MS Office 2010, for example will not install or run correctly, according to the CrossOver Compatibility Database.Ĭonclusion: CrossOver is perhaps one of the best little known gems of the emulation/virtual machine world. Those requiring specific graphical support may not run well or may not run at all. Runs applications as a native Mac/Linux application.Ĭons: Won't run EVERY Windows application. Pros: No Windows license fees needed or required. CrossOver Professional is meant for corporate users, and provides them with the enhanced deployment and management features an enterprise environment demands. CrossOver Standard provides individual users with the ability to run a wide variety of Windows software cleanly and economically. The application comes in two different versions – Standard and Professional. Once installed, CrossOver will configure the application to run on your Mac. CrossOver will recognize it and offer to install it. All you have to do is insert the install CD in your machine. You don’t' have to reboot or switch to a virtual machine and most importantly, you don't have to buy Windows.Īdding new Windows software is easy. All you need to do is just click and run and app. Your applications seamlessly integrate into Mac OS X. You can think of it as an emulator, but it's different, because it doesn't require a Windows OS license. It’s a multiplatform Windows emulation tool that works on your Mac.ĬrossOver is a commercial version of Wine and allows you to install many popular Windows applications on your Mac or Linux computer. This is why I'm very excited about CrossOver. Each option has its pros and cons and almost all of your options really required a machine with a great deal of punch in order to get past the performance hits you're going to take, especially in a VM option. Options are limited to either Apple's Boot Camp, which lets you create a separate partition and boot into Windows natively, or to virtual machines like Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion. Running Windows on a Mac has been a quest for all switchers and 'tweeners since the introduction of Intel based Macs in 2005/2006. Run Windows apps on your Mac with this handy emulation tool.
