Running Windows software on Macintosh

[Trevor Bittinger]

Hello all. I just purchased my new laser and am a Mac guy. Since the laser software will only run on a Windows OS, I need to either purchase a PC laptop, or install software to run windows on my mac. Has anyone here been running job software for their laser on a mac with windows software?
I will be designing mostly in Adobe Illustrator I think.
Any issues, or recommendations for which one to go with?
Virtual Machine, Boot Camp?
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Marshall Harrison]

I don't have a laser so I haven't do this exactly.

But as a software developer I have run Windows on my MacBook for development work. You can install Parallels on your Mac and then run Windows in a virtual machine. Parallels is the original virtualization engine for the Mac OS and they are the best in my experience. You could also download VirtualBox which is free and do the same thing. VMWare will work too as will creating a separate partition for dual booting then boot into Windows or OSX depending on your needs.

[Mike Null]

I would strongly suggest using CorelDraw vs AI. It is a superior engraving program and there is unlimited help available here and online.

I have Corel on my Mac but do not use it to run my laser. I use Parallels.

[William Adams]

Check and see if the laser software requires hardware access?

If so, then you'll need to use Boot Camp.

Possible to use an inexpensive PC?

[Jared Lenz]

I have only used Parallels and from my experience it served its purpose quite well. It was very convenient to have a functioning Mac with the virtual Windows machine running in the background and having the ability to switch back and forth between the two within a few seconds.

[David Sharp02]

If your laser is a newer model, it may work with Mac versions of Corel Draw and a Mac driver. I have an older Epilog Legend 24TT and it doesn't have a Mac driver. So I have a 32-bit install of Windows 7 running under VMWare Fusion that I use to run my laser. So far I've had no problems at all.

[stan kern]

works perfect, boot camp or a virtual prg

[Ivan Shuliak]

Using Parallels & Corel Draw too

[John Bronleewe]

I've been running Windows on my MacBook Pro via Bootcamp for years and it's great. I also run Parallels on another MacBook Pro and it served its purpose well too. Though you should expect a slower experience with Parallels, not that it'll impact you much, especially if you're just running the Epilog software.

I used CorelDRAW for years and recently switched to Illustrator and knowing both very well, I can tell you that you should pick the one you're most familiar with. After a few weeks there's nothing I can't do in Illustrator that I need to. I love Adobe and their package is a great deal if you need other things like InDesign or Photoshop (I do, along with video software). Not knocking Corel as I liked it a lot, I just like being able to work in Windows or Mac and constantly go back and fourth (I do this all day switching between OSes).

Best of luck! I love Apple hardware!


Hello all. I just purchased my new laser and am a Mac guy. Since the laser software will only run on a Windows OS, I need to either purchase a PC laptop, or install software to run windows on my mac. Has anyone here been running job software for their laser on a mac with windows software?
I will be designing mostly in Adobe Illustrator I think.
Any issues, or recommendations for which one to go with?
Virtual Machine, Boot Camp?
Thanks in advance for your input.

[John Noell]

Trevor, it would be helpful to add your machine type to your signature block. The advice for an RF machine vs. a Chinese glass tube one is quite different.

[roger wiegand]

I have one Macbook running Parallels and on running VMWare for windows. VM is much less irritating-- they don't try to sell you an upgrade every two weeks, and the interaction between the MacOS and Windows seems smoother, eg for cutting and pasting between applications on the two platforms.

[Julian Ashcroft]

If your machine is Chinese and runs RDWorks, it might be worth trying LightBurn software a try as a direct replacement to RDWorks as it runs from a Mac as well as a PC.

[Kim Vellore]

I have been using vmware fusion and i love it. I have multiple virtual machines and it has never failed me in the past 10 years.

[Dee Gallo]

I have used a Mac for a decade and started with Parallels, but found it glitchy and clunky (as a MacUser since 1984). So I switched to Bootcamp, it is native and runs smoothly. A lot of people complain about the rebooting thing, but really, waiting a whole 30-60 seconds is not horrible in my opinion compared to fighting with Parallels. But running CorelDraw on my Mac is seamless and then i save to a flash drive I can put into a cheap Dell I have hooked up to my Epilogs, or I send the job wirelessly from the Mac in my living room to the Epilog in my studio. BTW - use ethernet, not USB for your cables unless you want another whole bunch of problems. Good luck!

[Trevor Bittinger]

Thanks John! I'm also running an Epilog Mini 24, 40 watt.

[Trevor Bittinger]

Thanks Dee. I think I might give Bootcamp a shot first and see how I go. I'm very familiar with Adobe Creative Suite, but if I need to use CorelDraw, I guess Ill have to do that as well.
I have used a Mac for a decade and started with Parallels, but found it glitchy and clunky (as a MacUser since 1984). So I switched to Bootcamp, it is native and runs smoothly. A lot of people complain about the rebooting thing, but really, waiting a whole 30-60 seconds is not horrible in my opinion compared to fighting with Parallels. But running CorelDraw on my Mac is seamless and then i save to a flash drive I can put into a cheap Dell I have hooked up to my Epilogs, or I send the job wirelessly from the Mac in my living room to the Epilog in my studio. BTW - use ethernet, not USB for your cables unless you want another whole bunch of problems. Good luck!

[Dee Gallo]

Trevor,

CorelDraw and PhotoShop each have their uses for engraving - if you can use both, that will be to your benefit. You can do your photo editing in PS and move your jpeg into CD for laser work, adding copy and line art. That's what I do.

[Sam Rodriguez]

Trevor,
I am a "MAC" :) Having several CnC machines as well as 2 lasers. I can tell you with certainty "Parallels" does work and is imho the easiest to work with.
I have done several parallels installs for various friends who have similar dilemmas. even one whos software required a dongle that was keyed. Their tech people said it would not work under any circumstances.... I laughed and proved them wrong.


Running Parallels gives your the opportunity to run both OS simultaneously which imho far outweighs bootcamp. But fwiw Bootcamp would work too.

My vote like many others here is Parallels.
Best luck!
-Sam