which Windows system for my Macbook?

[L***@officeformac.com]

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I just got a new to me Macbook. It came with Office 2004 which includes Virtual PC. It also came with Parallels and a second complete copy of XP. I know nothing of Mac life at this point and don't know whether VPC or Parallels is the better option. Any and all input is appreciated.

[Steve Jain [MVP]]

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I just got a new to me Macbook. It came with Office 2004 which includes Virtual PC. It also came with Parallels and a second complete copy of XP. I know nothing of Mac life at this point and don't know whether VPC or Parallels is the better option. Any and all input is appreciated.

Virtual PC will not run on an Intel based Mac, only PowerPC. You need
to use Parallels or VMWare for Intel based Macs.

[Windows User #330250]

Post by L***@officeformac.com
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
Processor: Intel
I just got a new to me Macbook.

Great! Which one is it?

Post by L***@officeformac.com
It came with Office 2004 which includes Virtual PC.

Office 2004 and Virtual PC are PowerPC-only applications. You cannot use
Virtual PC with an Intel-Mac. You can use Office 2004 with an Intel-Mac
though, but it will run slower because of the Software-Emulation (called
Rossetta: it will enable you to run PowerPC-based Software on Intel-based
Macs).

You are much better off using Office 2008 - it is Universal Binary (it has
native code for both PowerPC-Macs and Intel-Macs).

Post by L***@officeformac.com
It also came with Parallels and a second complete copy of XP.

Parallels on the other hand is Intel-only. So this is to be your choice.

You should also google/bing for Bootcamp. Bootcamp is included in Mac OS X
since 10.5 and enables you to install Windows XP/Vista/7 alongside with Mac
OS X on an Intel-based Mac.

You may then be able to use Parallels Desktop to run this very Windows (the
one you created with Bootcamp) inside your active Mac OS X session. Thus, run
Mac and Windows programs all at the same time in Mac OS X.

Post by L***@officeformac.com
I know nothing of Mac life at this point and don't know whether VPC or Parallels is the better option. Any and all input is appreciated.

That what this discussion groups are here for, right?
It is always a good idea to search the internet first though, you will find
valuable information about Virtual PC/Mac and Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Cheers,
Windows User #330250 aka Andreas

[L***@officeformac.com]

I guess that's why it came with the Parallels then since what came with Office 2004 wouldn't work with it.

[Mac G]

Post by L***@officeformac.com
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
Processor: Intel
I just got a new to me Macbook. It came with Office 2004 which includes
Virtual PC. It also came with Parallels and a second complete copy of XP. I
know nothing of Mac life at this point and don't know whether VPC or
Parallels is the better option. Any and all input is appreciated.

Another option for Parallels is the free Virtual Box by Sun. I use it
very successfully with WinXP Pro and Win7 RC.

Another option for Office 8 is the open source NeoOffice.