Should I install Win7 or not on my iMac?

[InternetDude08]

So here's the scoop. I've got a Late 09 iMac. 3.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 8GB RAM. The thing runs fine and I've had just under a year now to get used to my Mac ;-)

Problem is I have to run Windows programs from time-to-time (once a year Tax software, that sort of thing). I even installed CrossOver but it looks like it doesn't support the tax software, and possibly the other Windows program I use. Now my partner has a WinVista laptop and I even have an extra Win7 PC around the house so I can use them any time....

But I'm thinking that maybe I should install Win7 on my iMac anyway. I don't need to use it very often but it would be handy to have right on my main machine.

I'm not interested in dual-booting, I'd run something like VirtualBox to run Windows inside of Mac. **as long as I can use the printer**

For those of you that installed Windows, what was the main reason for doing so? I'm debating whether I should or not... just need to figure out if it's worth it.... pros/cons, etc.... Thx.

 

[SpokaneMac]

I just installed Windows7 on my MacMini 2.26 and it runs great!

*For many of the same reasons as you. It is fast and stable.

 

[S.B.G]

When I first switched over to Mac, I installed XP in VMWare Fusion to do the things I had to do in Windows until I figured out how to do them in OS/X. Once I did that, I got rid of the VM and never looked back.

Printing worked and XP ran just fine.

 

[InternetDude08]

I just realized... I should be able to do a "remote desktop" connection to my Win7 machine... problem solved. I'll just do that, that way I can work off my iMac and use my Windoze programs... that should work.... I just gotta figure out how.... thx.

 

[S.B.G]

Easy, just download the RDC app and install it. Make sure your iMac and Win7 PC are on the same network and then enter the IP address of the PC and off you go.

I use the RDC app to remote into my office Win7 computer through a VPN I have set up. It works great.

 

[schulmaster]

To more directly answer your question, short of the cost of Windows, and minimal HDD space, there are no cons to installing Windows on your Mac. You can use it once a year or once a day, regardless, it will be there when you need it. Bootcamp makes it an effortless, twenty minute process.