I have an IMac desktop and a MacBook laptop which I usually use to surf the web and go on QB. I have a Toshiba to run my EQ 7 and all my embroidery patterns for my Viking otherwise I don't use it at all.

Best Mac Software Programs

The PC is just for quilting and embroidering. Since the Mac is not easily hacked or get viruses I use it strickly for the web and email. I am a Mac slum person I guess. It is so user friendly and loads and shuts down very quickly because it doesn't have programs running in the back ground like the PC and I don't have to buy any virus programs. My MacBook is an Intel but choose not to run Windows on it. I will be following this thread, as I am a PC person wanting to switch to MAC. I just have to much software for PC that I do not want to invest in getting a MAC version.

I am inthe computer business, on the new macs they have a program called boot camp which can be set up in Windows OS The easiest solution (IMHO) is VM Ware, but you do need a licensed copy of Windows (which legally you need to buy) so the cost of the VM ware with the Windows OS will be $200+ minimum So, you may want to purchase one those cheap PC's from one of the box stores to run your windows software and buy a Mac for everything else. I have a 15' MacBookPro. Also have a Pfaff 2170 embroidery machine which 4D Embroidery software is not compatible with Snow Leopard or any of the operating systems. But my Mac came with Boot Camp.

At the time my choice was install Windows XP on one side of Boot Camp, so that there would be dual processors. The other choice was Parallels, which if basically the same but you can have both Snow Leopard and Boot Camp running at the same time. I didn't like that idea so I went with Boot Camp since it was already there. When I turn on the Mac it defaults to the Mac side, but to get to Window XP I have to hold down the 'Option' key until the gray screen with the two separate hard drive disk come up, and then I double click on the Window XP one to get to my Embroidery 4D software.

I also download my designs and save them from my email purchases on that side. I do run a security program and it has indeed detected viruses from time to time and quarantined or deleted them.

Never see any on the Mac side. I hate having to have Windows on my Mac but that is the only way to transfer embroidery designs to my Pfaff without going out and bying a Dell or any other Windows supported system. Jilliane, I run a windows free Mac also. I am with you on the idea of if I wanted windows, I would not have a Mac. I would not give up my Mac for anything.

I fought with PC's for many yrs and you cannot tell anyone how much better a Mac is. They won't listen to you. It is way better. If you have a quilting software answer, let me know.

Until then keep using our apples. We got our first ever Mac a little over a year ago after 20 years of PC's and I wouldn't go back to a PC for all the tea in China. I can say for the first time in my life that I love my computer! Macs are awesome!