How to install Windows on an Intel Mac
Macworld Apple’s decision to ditch Intel processors and move the entire Mac range to using its home-grown Apple Silicon processors certainly seems to have paid off. Its M-series processors, including the latest M3 and M4 chips, provide impressive performance and battery life – and even mean that Macs have the graphical horsepower to play some decent games at last. But, of course, there are still lots of Windows apps and games that don’t run on Macs at all, and this is one area where old Macs that used Intel processors did have an advantage as they made it easy to run Windows and Windows software in addition to all your normal Mac apps. The Windows operating system was written specifically to run on Intel processors, and the fact that Macs adopted Intel processors back in 2005-2006 meant that they were also able to run Windows, as well as the macOS itself. That was a real boon for many Mac users, as there are many professional-level apps in fields such as graphics and design that are only available for Windows PCs – not to mention all those Windows games that never get released on the Mac. So having the ability to run Windows apps and games on Intel-based Macs gave Mac users the best of both worlds. And, of course, lots of people are still using Macs that have Intel processors – I intend to cling on to my 27-inch Intel iMac for as long as humanly possible (although the possibility of a new Mac Mini coming soon with an M4 processor is rather tempting). So, for all my fellow diehard Intel-Mac users, here are the options for installing Windows on your Mac, along with all the Windows apps, games and other software that you might need to use. If you want to run Windows on a new M-series Mac read our separate article that explains how to run the ARM version of Windows on an Apple SIlicon Mac. Boot Camp Intel Macs had – and do still have – two options for running Windows, using either Apple’s own Boot Camp software or third-party virtualization tools such as the popular Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion. Parallels Desktop for Mac Read our review Price When Reviewed: Standard – £89.99 annual subscription or £104.99 perpetual license; Pro – £99.99 annual subscription; Business – £119.99 annual subscription Best Prices Today: $99.99 at Parallels (Subscription) | $129.99 at Parallels (Perpetual License) Boot Camp is a piece of software developed by Apple, which allows you to install the Windows operating system on your Mac, alongside the macOS, so that you can switch between the macOS and Windows whenever you need to. Boot Camp is still supported by Apple today, even though it no longer sells any Macs that use Intel processors, and you can read detailed installation instructions on Apple’s website. It’s worth mentioning, though, that Boot Camp hasn’t been updated much since the launch of new-generation Macs with Apple Silicon, and it still seems to be focused on the older Windows 10, rather than the current Windows 11. However, there are still millions of people around the world happily using Windows 10, so that’s not necessarily a problem if you simply want to run a few Windows apps or games on your Intel Mac. The Boot Camp software allows you to partition the internal hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) of an Intel Mac, splitting it into two separate sections (known as partitions). One partition continues to store the macOS and all your normal Mac apps, but Boot Camp also allows you to install the Windows operating system onto the second partition, along with any Windows apps and software that you want to use. Once that’s done you can use a simple keyboard shortcut to dual-boot your Mac, switching between the macOS or Windows as required. The only disadvantage of using Boot Camp is that you have to choose – either you start up (or boot) your Mac into the macOS or you boot into Windows. The two operating systems remain entirely separate, so you can’t run Mac apps and Windows apps at the same time. If you wanted to run the Mac version of Photoshop while you’re at work, but maybe switch to Windows for a quick spot of Diablo 4 action at lunchtime, then you’d have to keep rebooting your Mac to switch back and forth between the macOS and Windows. There is another way of installing Windows onto your Mac, though – called virtualization – which allows you to run Windows and Windows apps right alongside all your normal apps, without having to switch between the two operating systems. Virtual Machines See our round-up of the best virtual machine software for Mac. Programs such as Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion use virtualization – sometimes also called emulation – to install Windows on your Mac, and they will work both with Intel Macs and the current generation of Macs with Apple Silicon. These are both conventional Mac programs that can be installed on your Mac like any other program, and they allow you to create a virtual machine (or VM), which is a piece of software that emulates the workings of a physical PC. VMware Fusion Read our review Price When Reviewed: Free (personal use); $120 (commercial) Best Prices Today: Free at VMware (Fusion Player, personal use) | Free at VMware Fusion Pro (non-commercial use) | $120 at VMware Desktop Hypervisor Pro When you create a virtual machine on your Mac you assign a certain amount of your Mac’s memory and storage to the virtual machine, and this allows you to install Windows onto the virtual machine. You can even specify the number of processor cores that you devote to running the virtual machine. You can then install other Windows apps onto the virtual machine as well, and run those Windows apps within the virtual machine. The virtual machine runs on your Mac just like any other Mac app, so you can run your Windows apps right alongside all your normal Mac apps. This is more convenient than using Boot Camp, as you no longer need to keep switching back and forth between the macOS and Windows. The disadvantage of virtualization is that your Mac is effectively running two operating systems at the same time –the macOS and Windows on your virtual machine – so you need a pretty powerful Mac with plenty of memory and storage to run a Windows virtual machine effectively. Even with the most powerful Intel Macs – which, after all, are a few years old now – it’s hard to get good enough performance using virtualization to play the latest Windows games that need high-speed 3D graphics. If you need top performance for gaming, or for professional-level graphics work, then it’s better to use Boot Camp to run Windows on an Intel Mac, as that will provide the best possible performance. However, a virtual machine running Windows can still give you good enough performance to run many Windows apps, such as Microsoft Office, or even some 3D graphics apps that may not be available for the Mac, so it’s still a worthwhile option for many Mac users. Windows 365 Price When Reviewed: $31 – $66 per month Best Prices Today: $31 at Microsoft There are other options too, although they do have their own drawbacks. Microsoft has a streaming service, called Windows 365, which runs Windows on a special cloud server, and then allows you to stream Windows to your Mac – or other devices – via the Internet. This can be a useful option if you have a fast enough broadband connection, but it does require a monthly subscription fee and the service is primarily designed for business users. However, there’s a one-month free trial available and you can also read our article How to use Windows 365 to run Windows on a Mac for more information. CrossOver Mac Finally, there are translation programs, such as CrossOver and Whisky, which actually allow you to run Windows software without even needing to install a copy of Windows first. These are a bit more specialized, though, so we cover them in more detail in a separate article. Whisky Read our review Price When Reviewed: Free Best Prices Today: Free at Whisky

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How to banish annoyances in Safari with Distraction Control on Mac
Constant distractions on your Mac can derail productivity, but Apple's Distraction Control tool provide an easy way to stay focused and in control. Here's where to find it.How to use Distraction Control on MacFrom pop-up ads to cluttered sidebars, it's easy to get distracted by non-essential elements on a webpage. Fortunately, with the introduction of macOS Sequoia, iPadOS 18, and iOS 18, Safari has a new feature called Distraction Control.Distraction Control is a Safari feature designed to hide specific parts of a webpage that may divert your attention. Unlike traditional ad blockers that try to eliminate all ads, Distraction Control gives you the freedom to manually select and hide items that you find distracting — whether they're ads, menus, or embedded videos. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Download the iPad mini 6 and 7 wallpapers right here
Apple recently announced a new generation of the iPad mini, which features the faster A17 Pro chip inside with support for Apple Intelligence. There are exclusive wallpapers available for these iPads, but you can download them for any device here. more…

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Perplexity AI native app for macOS now available on the Mac App Store
After teasing a native app for macOS last month, Perplexity AI on Thursday officially launched a version of its app for the Mac. Users can now interact with the platform more easily without having to rely on the web version. more…

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Apple responds after being fined with Goldman Sachs over Apple Card issues
Following an investigation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced it has fined Apple and Goldman Sachs nearly… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Price drop: Block ads and data trackers forever with this top-rated service
Snag a lifetime subscription to the AdGuard family plan. The iOS and Mac ad blocker also protects your privacy on Android and PC. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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iOS 18.2 lets you ask Siri about what’s on your screen
Even before releasing iOS 18.1 to the public, Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 18.2, which includes many new Apple Intelligence features. One of the new features is the long-awaited integration with ChatGPT, and thanks to this, you can now ask Siri for details about what you’re seeing on your device’s screen. more…

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AirPods Pro 2 firmware 7B19 enables new iOS 18.1 Hearing features
Macworld Apple has issued a new firmware update just for AirPods Pro 2. The firmware, version 7B19, applies to both the USB-C and Lightning version of the AirPods–the previous firmware version was 7A305. Most AirPods updates are just bug fixes, but this one enabled the new Hearing features of iOS 18.1, and Apple has release notes that say something more than just “bug fixes and other improvements” for a change: When used with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1 or later, AirPods Pro 2 with firmware update 7B19 enable three new features–a Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection. The Apple Hearing Test feature provides scientifically-validated hearing test results from the comfort of home (intended for users 18 years or older). The Hearing Aid feature provides personalized, clinical-grade assistance that is automatically applied to sounds in your environment as well as music, videos, and calls (intended for users 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss) The Hearing Protection feature helps users minimize exposure to loud environmental noise across listening modes (available in the United States and Canada) Features require AirPods Pro 2 with firmware version 7B19 or later. All features may not be available for all countries or regions. There’s no way to force your AirPods to update their firmware, so it’s a good thing Apple is releasing this firmware several days before the release of iOS 18.1. AirPods Pro 2 USB-C Read our review Price When Reviewed: $249 Best Prices Today: $182.95 at B&H | $249 at Apple | $297.50 at Amazon Updating your AirPods firmware The new firmware will automatically install when the AirPods are in their case and charging. It can take hours or even days to get the latest firmware. If you haven’t used your AirPods in a long time, taking them out of their case and using them for a few minutes before putting them back in and on the charger may help speed things up. To see what firmware version your AirPods are running, you can open the Settings app, select your connected AirPods (near the top), scroll down past all the options to the About section, and look at the Version line. You can also find this information in General  > About  > [name of your AirPods].

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Major Apple supplier TSMC’s American chip production yields surpass Taiwan’s
Major Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has achieved early production yields at its first plant in Arizona… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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9to5Mac Daily: October 24, 2024 – Everything new in iOS 18.2 beta 1
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. Save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card today. more…

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AirPods Pro 2 receive support for Hearing Health features with new firmware update
Apple has released a new firmware update for AirPods Pro 2, which ushers in support for an all-new set of Hearing Health features.AirPods Pro 2 receive support for Hearing Health with Apple's latest firmware update.Thursday's firmware increases the build number to 7B19, from the previous 7A305. The company's latest firmware update for AirPods 2 was deployed on October 24, following the release of firmware updates intended for developer testing.In June, at WWDC 2024, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 would receive an assortment of Hearing Health features, which includes Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection. Of these three, the clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature is intended for users with mild to moderate hearing loss. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple offers Private Cloud Compute up for a security probe
Apple advised at launch that Private Cloud Compute's security will be inspectable by third parties. On Thursday, it fulfilled its promise.The virtual environment for testing Private Cloud Compute - Image credit: AppleIn July, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence and its cloud-based processing facility, Private Cloud Compute. It was pitched as being a secure and private way to handle in-cloud processing of Siri queries under Apple Intelligence.As well as insisting that it used cryptography and didn't store user data, it also insisted that the features could be inspected by independent experts. On October 24, it offered an update on that plan. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 18.2 will let you change your default apps for calls, messaging, and more
Macworld Apple has a contentious relationship with allowing users to choose default apps on iPhone and iPad, and it has been the subject of a lot of legal action around the world. Imagine our surprise, then, when the company introduced some changes in the iOS 18.2 beta that make it easier to change some of your app defaults, and even makes a couple of new categories available. In iOS 18, you can open Settings then tap Apps at the bottom of the settings page to show all your app-specific settings. With the iOS 18.2 beta, that list is topped by a new Default Apps menu. The menu lets you choose system default apps for Email, Messaging, Calling, Call Filtering, your default browser, default app for passwords and codes, and keyboards. Foundry Some of these options existed before but were scattered in various other Settings menus. However, the Calling and Messaging categories are entirely new. There don’t appear to be any third-party apps yet that can be chosen as defaults in these categories, but that would likely come later as Apple releases new frameworks and apps update to use them.

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Apple expected to unveil new M4 MacBook Pro, M4 iMac, and M4 Mac mini models next week
There will be new iMacs, a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and Mac minis — all with M4 chips… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple teases “week of announcements” about the Mac starting on Monday
Announcements will almost certainly include the first wave of M4-powered Macs.

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Today in Apple history: The world prepares for the NeXT Computer
Three years after leaving Apple, Steve Jobs prepares to launch the NeXT Computer, the machine he hopes will exact his revenge on Cupertino. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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New AirPods Pro 2 firmware now available for iOS 18.1’s hearing health features
Apple has just released new firmware for ahead of iOS 18.1’s launch next week. This firmware update brings support for the powerful new health features: Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection. more…

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Whoa! The M2 MacBook Air dropped under $700 for the first time
Macworld We know Black Friday is still weeks away, but this M2 MacBook Air deal looks like it might have been pushed early. Why? Because we’ve never seen this laptop down to $700 before. Yes, you read that right. The M2 MacBook Air is down to $699.99 at Amazon, its best price yet, and a solid 30 percent discount. Unsurprisingly, the M2 MacBook Air is easily one of our favorite models, earning a near-perfect score following our review and even our Editors’ Choice award. Our review praised the improved display and the thin bezels, as well as the killer battery life. “That wasn’t quite our experience, but it’s close. With the display set at 150 nits and playing back a movie on an endless loop in the TV app, our battery lasted 17.5 hours—very close enough to Apple’s 18-hour claim,” the review reads. This 13.6-inch laptop features a Liquid Retina Display with vivid colors and deep contrast, as well as a 256GB SSD so you can store all your personal files and have plenty of room to install apps. And the M2 chip will ensure you have speedy performance and quick loading times, as well as Apple Intelligence support with macOS 15.1 coming next week. So hurry up and get your very own MacBook Air for its best price yet. This laptop is an absolute bargain at $700 at Amazon, and you should not miss out on the chance to bring it home. Get the M2 MacBook for its best priceBuy it now at Amazon

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Math genius and NSA spook calculate conspiracy in Prime Target on Apple TV+
New conspiracy thriller "Prime Target" on Apple TV+ is set to stream January 25. Hopefully math + NSA + computer (in)security = good TV. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Display shipments for M4 MacBook Air and new iPhone SE set to begin soon as early 2025 launches near
Apple is planning a host of M4 Mac announcements for next week, but one model that won’t be included is the MacBook Air. However, a new report indicates we shouldn’t have to wait long for Apple’s most popular Mac to get updated, or the new iPhone that’s expected shortly afterwards. more…

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