Moving away from CrossOver to Parallels
For years we at TheFormTool, LLC have recommended CrossOver as a solution for Mac users who want to use our programs, just as we have. That changed a bit with the introduction of Doxserá DB for two reasons.
Two “missing links” in the CrossOver program mean that CrossOver is not able support our database-capable programs, Doxserá DB, DB User, and Aurora webData.
CrossOver doesn’t support some of the more intricate functions of Word, specifically the dynamic linking that provides access to data stored outside of Word. In addition, because CrossOver isn’t an operating system, there isn’t a place to install the ODBC Connector needed to allow Word to connect beyond the host computer, such as with SQL or Aurora’s own Data Center.
Parallels
The solution has been to leave CrossOver in favor of a full-fledged VM solution named Parallels. Parallels carves out a section of the Mac OS into which we can place an entire Windows Operating System. The newest version of Parallels is impressive; it allows the Windows system to transparently use Mac’s ancillary features, such as printers, Internet connectivity, audio and video. The real magic is the ease by which nearly all the Mac “homeyness” is made available.
With Parallels installed on a MacBook Pro running Mojave 10.14 with 16 GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, there is plenty of room for Bill Gate’s progeny. Good thing, too. Porting just Windows 10 PRO and Office 2019 from a Windows machine took 3 hours to move the 55 GB of programs. The good news is Word runs at full native speeds. The even better news is that the Windows Defender system operates behind all of the laptop’s previously established digital defenses. That provides some confidence that the Mac has some protection against the wickedness targeting Windows that is so widespread on the Internet.
Recommendation
Windows 10 is an enormous improvement over its predecessors; it begins to approach the Mac experience. Parallels has several operating modes ranging from complete separation of the Mac and virtual Windows systems to a complete mind meld. To avoid mental vertigo, we’ve gone with separate desktop screens, three for Mac and one for Windows. The result is highly productive and very comfortable. We can recommend the Parallels solution to any Mac user.
