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Advice for running windows-based games

J

jillrp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 15, 2011
3
0
Hello! I'm super-duper new and I searched for this topic several times but didn't find exactly what I'm looking for so I'm really sorry if this has come up a lot before. I have a 15in Macbook Pro that I've been using for about 1 1/2 - 2 years now.

THE PROBLEM: There are some windows games (specifically SimCity Societies. I know, it's the devil's spawn, but the new concept sounds interesting to me) I'd like to be able to play.
THE NON-SOLUTIONS: I tried over the holidays to set up bootcamp and it was....disastrous. I am NOT doing that again. I know there are some programs like Bottles but they are somewhat confusing.
THE QUESTION: So, what are my options? Are there any options without using bootcamp or free programs like Bottles? Are there better free programs? (Also, I should mention I'm a poor college student so low cost would be awesome).

Thank you so much for your time!
 
Not sure what your problems were but bootcamp is the cheapest least-headache solution.

Otherwise you are looking at Crossover (messing around involved, $) or Parallels/Fusion ($), or that free thing VirtualBox is it? I forget.

Pity bootcamp didn't work for you, it should be relatively painless...?
 
VMware Fusion ($80)/Parallels Desktop 5 ($80)/ Virtual Box($0) - Emulates Windows
Pros: You don't have to restart to start Windows, Use Windows and Mac side by side, easy to set up.
Cons: Slower, especially in games

Wine ($0)/Crossover ($40) - Emulates certain programs
Pros: Programs work just like Mac programs
Cons: Doesn't work with every out of the box, slow (but faster than Fusion, Parallels, or VirtualBox), some programs can be extremely glitchy and unstable, lots of setup is required (less with Crossover), so confusing it makes you want to force quit Wine, slam your computer of your desk, scream "Why won't you work!", bash your head into the wall, try to start the computer, rant on MacRumors about it, get banned, and regret what you've done (less with Crossover). ;)

BootCamp ($0) - Natively runs Windows (I highly recommend this, especially for games)
Pros: Fast, easy to setup (harder than emulators)
Cons: You have to restart to start Windows, no side by side, some people have trouble setting up

So I know you really don't want to, but I would highly recommend Bootcamp. If you need help setting it up I can help.
 
Concerning bootcamp...I would have to actually buy a windows cd (biiiiig $) since the one I was using was an ancient restore cd that wiped my entire computer. Also, my dad got so pissed he banned me from ever trying it again. I don't want to push it since he's paying my tuition ;)

I will look into virtual box and possibly crossover or parallels if that doesn't work. An older edition of parallels only costs $30 anyways.

Thank you guys so much! If I run into anymore problems I will not hesitate to ask because you've been so helpful.
 
Virtual Box, VMWare (Fusion), Parallels, and Bootcamp ALL require you to buy a copy of Windows!

Only Crossover Games doesn't. . . and, well, it sucks.

Bootcamp is, by FAR the easiest and best way to run games, period.
 
Yes, I did some more research and it appears that there is no easy solution, save for bootcamp, which I am not messing with again. Alas, I will wait and hope that someone, somewhere develops some more mac games!
 
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