Apple and Microsoft might have once seemed akin to two children squabbling over attention, pitting their flagship macOS and Windows operating systems against one another for decades. Indeed, the two tech giants have enjoyed a significant rivalry, exemplified by the infamous television spot nearly 20 years ago.
Not everyone needs to choose between the two, however. There are, after all, a handful of ways to install Windows on a Mac. There are a number of reasons why anyone would wish to upgrade to Windows 11, but, for Mac users, this isn’t a simple process and isn’t recommended for novice users, nor those using a managed device with heavy restrictions.
What are the benefits of installing Windows on a Mac?
The biggest reason to install Windows on a Mac is to dual-wield the capabilities of both systems. Some industries use tools that only work on one framework over the other. The theatre industry standard software Qlab, for example, is only available on macOS. Perhaps you’re a video editor or music producer who can’t bear to part with Final Cut Pro and Logic, but also want to live within the Windows ecosystem. Many also prefer to use the Adobe suite of creative apps on M1-fitted macOS devices but prefer the Windows 11 user interface (UI).
Although Windows stopped accepting app exclusivity requests in 2020, there are still a fair few reasons to stay on Microsoft’s side of your machine, not least of all the easier integration of tools like remote desktop, if you’re using your Mac away from your Windows-based office. There are also a handful of handy Windows 11 tips and tricks IT professionals can take advantage of.
The third reason is that developers can use a dual OS system to test applications natively. With the endless coding issues that come with app development, being able to replicate the issue with the machine in your own hands can ease stress and increase the speed of production and testing.
With the integration of macOS on Windows machines – otherwise known as a Hackintosh – rife with challenges, installing Windows on a Mac remains the way to go. Actually doing so, however, might vary depending on your Mac’s specific architecture.
How to prepare your Mac for Windows 11
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Figure out what variant of Mac you have
Apple machines were, until recently, fitted with Intel chips before Apple produced its own line of CPUs, first with the M1 and now the M2 . To figure out which edition you own, click the small Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen, and open About This Mac. The windows will then display your machine’s CPU under Processor.
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Check if your Mac is compatible with Windows 11
Next, you must make sure your macOS system can run Windows 11 at all before you delve into the installation process. Microsoft’s latest flagship operating system has enhanced security features, including Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and secure boot requirements, both of which can be challenging for Apple machines.
A handful of macOS devices, although they’re nearly ten years old, can’t even run the newly released Chrome Flex OS, which is a much lighter lift than a Windows 11 installation.
Most experts suggest using tools like Parallels to install an additional OS, regardless of your machine’s architecture, because of the ability …….