ArcGIS and Macs

Have an Apple computer and are upset you can't run ArcGIS products like ArcMap?  Don't rush so quickly to trade up for a Windows machine because all is not lost!

There are a few options to consider.  One, you can use Boot Camp on your Leopard or later Mac OS.  Boot Camp is free and allows you to partition a Windows operating system on your Mac! Keep in mind though that Boot Camp will create a distinction between both systems and allow you to only access one at a time.  That said, you would not be able to work on your Windows side and simultaneously switch back and forth to the Mac side without completely rebooting either partition.

Prefer seamless travel back and forth from Windows to Mac? (might be useful to go from recording 3D mapping on your Windows side to a Mac exclusive software like FinalCut to edit the video on the Mac side) Well there are other options like Parallels and VMware that allow such simultaneous use.  The down side of these?  Well for one, they are not free like Boot Camp and will run you about $40 each.  Another downside, is that because both systems are running, they will naturally run slower using more memory than usual.  You should not experience any kind of slowing with Boot Camp.

After you decide HOW to use Windows on your Mac, you will of course need to install the Windows software.  Unlike ArcGIS products that are free to download for University of Delaware students at UDeploy, Windows software cannot be downloaded for free onto your personal computer from the school and you will have to purchase it.

Hopefully this is useful to any of those who would like to utilize ArcGIS software, or any other Windows exclusive software, on their Apple computers.

Here is a helpful PDF outlining the previously mentioned software and Boot Camp when using ArcGIS on Macs as well as other specs and requirements that might be useful.