Help with MacOS, Windows for ProntoPro

[AlmaAtaKZ]

Hi
An inexperienced Mac user seeking help on how to run Windows on Mac -

I have a Philips Pronto universal remote and it uses a Windows only software (officially compatible with Win XP). My Windows laptop is about to die and my new pc is a Mac running the latest MacOS.

I have never tried to run Windows on a Mac and have no idea where to start.
What are the options?
Where do I het a copy of Windows?
Once Win is running, how do I install the ProntoPro?
Will it run so I can connect the remote via USB?

Would appreciate any guidance from more experienced forumites.

 

[pierre]

Hi
An inexperienced Mac user seeking help on how to run Windows on Mac -

I have a Philips Pronto universal remote and it uses a Windows only software (officially compatible with Win XP). My Windows laptop is about to die and my new pc is a Mac running the latest MacOS.

I have never tried to run Windows on a Mac and have no idea where to start.
What are the options?
Where do I het a copy of Windows?
Once Win is running, how do I install the ProntoPro?
Will it run so I can connect the remote via USB?

Would appreciate any guidance from more experienced forumites.

There are various way to run Windows applications on another machine. That may or may not work.

1. If your mac support it, BootCamp is an apple application to do so.
2. Another way is to install VirtualBox and run WinXP. This is not trivial to do but you will find plenty of tutorials on the internet.
3. Wine or Crossover may work and are usually easier to install

https://www.howtogeek.com/187359/5-ways-to-run-windows-software-on-a-mac/

 

[astr0b0y]

I‘d also suggest trying Virtual Box or another virtualization solution (Parallels). These pretty much run everything. WIindows can be had quite cheaply too - https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/get-windows-10-free-or-cheap,5717.html

 

[davide78]

The options to run Windows apps in MacOS are the three described by @pierre. In terms of compatiblity with USB devices, Bootcamp would definitely work, since it allows your Mac to boot straight into windows, skipping MacOS altogether. VirtualBox is a hit or miss, depending on the specific device. IME I had USB devices that works flawlessly and others that do not. Wine/Crossover supports only a very limited range of USB devices.

As a fourth option you can try with tonto, a Java clone of Philips software: https://github.com/stewartoallen/tonto

 

[AlmaAtaKZ]

Wow, thanks a lot for the overview and the pointers! I will do some reading.

Java clone of ProntoEdit?To run on Mac? I need to check that!