Macs certainly have a vast ecosystem of software available, but there are still many programs that only support Windows. So if you use a Mac but want to run a particular program, a business application or a video game only for Windows, there are some ways, more or less simple, to open Windows programs on the Mac .
In general it can be enough to install a program on the Mac that acts as an emulator or bridge for Windows, even if there may be compatibility problems and some bugs.
1) Use Virtual Machines
Preparing a virtual machine is one of the best ways to run Windows programs on a Mac.
In practice, one operating system is installed inside the other, which behaves completely independently and is run through virtualization software.
In this case, Windows will think it is running on a real computer, even if it is actually running inside a software on the Mac.
The virtual machine performance is decent but with low 3D graphics performance.
This is therefore not the best solution for those who want to play Windows video games on Mac.
An important thing to know is that to install Windows, even if in a virtual machine, you need to purchase the license or use a valid product key (perhaps from an installation on another computer).
The best virtualization programs to have Windows on Mac are VMware Fusion and Parallels, two paid programs.
Theoretically you can also use VirtualBox for Mac, completely free and open source, even if its graphical support and the integration of the operating system are not as good as with the Windows program itself.
In short, if you want to virtualize a Windows PC inside a Mac, you have no choice and you have to pay for a program like VMware Fusion or Parallels, which you can try for free.
2) Install Windows in dual boot on Mac with Boot Camp
Bootcamp is a special MAC program that allows you to install Windows together with OS X on the Apple computer.
In this case, only one operating system can run at a time and you can switch from Windows to Mac by restarting your computer.
Installing Windows as a real operating system on the Mac is the best solution if you want to play PC games or use heavy applications that need all the hardware performance available.
The downside is that it will not be possible to run Mac OS applications and Windows programs at the same time.
Again, you need to have a Windows license to install it.
3) Software emulation: Wine
Wine is a program born on Linux that allows, as already explained in the past, to install Windows programs on other operating systems .
Basically, Wine tries to rewrite application code so that they can run on other operating systems like Linux and Mac.
This works well for some programs, bad for others.
Wine's AppDB lists supported applications (even if it focuses on Linux)
Wine however remains a comfortable and easy way to try to run Windows applications on a Mac, without having to make installations and without needing to have Microsoft licenses.
Unfortunately, we must bear in mind that the Wine project for Mac OS X exists only in an unofficial way.
For Mac you need to install Wineskin or Winebottler.
Luckily there are some alternative emulators like free and easier to use PlayOnMac.
4) CrossOver Mac
CodeWeavers CrossOver Mac is a paid application that is used to run Windows programs on Mac.
It uses Wine's code, with a nice graphical interface and with full support for a well-defined list of popular programs.
CrossOver offers a free trial and you don't need to run a Windows virtual machine (with its license).
5) Remote desktop
If you already have a Windows PC, even if it was at home or in the office, you can still use it at any time and in any place from your Mac using a remote desktop program.
The requirement is that the PC is turned on and connected to the internet.
Among the best remote desktop programs to connect remotely to the computer those that work best and are easy to use as well as free are Teamviewer and Chrome remote desktop.
Due to the natural lag of the network, this solution is not ideal for videos and games.
