Looking for a PC - fed up with Macs

[SlowWalker]

That is what I currently do on my 2024 M4 Mac mini. VMware Fusion is free. Really it just as an experiment, since I have little need. What is it that people need Windows 11 for that can’t be done with the Mac? Microsoft Office is on Mac, and Adobe suite is on Mac. Software code development is better on Mac. You can also remotely connect to any cloud VM of Linux for cheap, and windows too though at a premium.

I guess for gaming most, but not all, of the games are only on Windows and those do not run well in VM of Windows. If that is your need, you have a good reason still in 2026.

I think for most basic users seeing up a VMware solution is over the top and beyond current skill level.

Windows works until it doesn't and usually it's just a turn it off and turn it back on again.

People are also creatures of habit. If Windows is what they know they will stick to it. Much like if iPhone is what they know, they are less likely to switch to Android.

I also think that macros in Excel file for Windows don't work in Excel for Mac. So if it's solo work and you learn to use VBA for Mac you are ok, but if you work with a team that uses Windows it can cause problems.

 

[Ries]

2020 and before macs will run windows without any extra cost- they include bootcamp in the original IOS, and its easy to install windows, and reboot the mac as a windows machine. Thats because they run Intel processors.
Post 2020 Macs run ARM chips, and they require using an aftermarket windows installer/adapater like Parallels. I think it currently runs something like 65$ a year.

 

[FrankPintor]

That is what I currently do on my 2024 M4 Mac mini. VMware Fusion is free. Really it just as an experiment, since I have little need. What is it that people need Windows 11 for that can’t be done with the Mac? Microsoft Office is on Mac, and Adobe suite is on Mac. Software code development is better on Mac. You can also remotely connect to any cloud VM of Linux for cheap, and windows too though at a premium.

I guess for gaming most, but not all, of the games are only on Windows and those do not run well in VM of Windows. If that is your need, you have a good reason still in 2026.

OK then, I guess that’s my next project, to restore my Windows 10 VM on my M3 MacBook (32GB of memory I believe). Having enough memory is hugely important. TBH I don’t wake it up too much, since my employer insists on a locked-down Lenovo for work.

I have worked on projects where I absolutely needed specialist Windows applications, without an employer-provided laptop and the VM worked impeccably. For my personal use (and I’m not a gamer) I don’t need Windows. But it’s there if I want

 

[carride]

Post 2020 Macs run ARM chips, and they require using an aftermarket windows installer/adapater like Parallels. I think it currently runs something like 65$ a year.

Yes true. Though for at least the past ten or more years there has been little reason to pay for Parallels when VirtualBox and VMWare have done the job for free (for personal use only). I imagine people who really need everyday Windows for professional use know why Parallels is better. Also on modern mac hardware, VirtualBox is still not fully ready for x64 emulation.

OK then, I guess that’s my next project, to restore my Windows 10 VM on my M3 MacBook

VMware is fully supported but only for Windows 11. You should upgrade your VM image from Windows 10 before bring it to your Mac.