Due to the costs of the software needed to run Windows based software products, such as BLS, we encourage purchasing a simple Windows based computer or laptop that has an Intel or AMD processor.
Macs based on the Apple Silicon M1 or M2 processor
For the last year or two, Apple made the decision to migrate from Intel based processors to use their own processors. The newest processor is called the M2 processor and the previous generation is called the M1 processor. These processors use what is called an ARM based compatible processor.
We've recently undergone testing with an Apple Macbook Pro with an M2 processor using a virtualization software program called
Parallels Desktop 18 software. This software will allow you to run a virtual machine, which is essentially a computer file that behaves like an actual computer. Parallels Desktop 18 is a new release that has a built-in support to download and install a special version of Microsoft Windows 11 Home for ARM processors.
Recently VMWare released a new version of Fusion that also supports Microsoft Windows 11 Home for ARM processors, however, the configuration and setup is not as easy as Parallels at this time.
There are reviews of both products, but at this time, CDE Software recommends Parallels for ease of installation at this time.
You can use the virtual machine under either environment to verify it works under this environment and that BLS can install and operate without issue.
While we have tested the concept that BLS can install on Windows 11 Home for ARM processors, we do not intend to exhaustively test the software for compatibility nor guarantee compatibility.
Macs based on Intel processor
If you have an Intel based Mac, the best solution to run BLS on Mac hardware is to use a virtualization software program on the Mac, such as Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion or Oracle VirtualBox. This software will allow you to run a virtual machine, which is essentially a computer file that behaves like an actual computer.
With the virtualization software program, you can create a Windows virtual machine. When you want to run your Mac with your other programs, you run them as you always have. But when you want to run a Windows program, you start the Virtualization program, then using that software, start your Windows virtual machine. This will start up Windows from within your Mac computer. From there, you can install and use Windows based software, such as BLS, BTM or TBRAC without investing in the extra hardware.
You will still need to obtain a Windows 10 or Windows 11 license from Microsoft or authorized reseller.
Intel based Macs also have an option using an Apple product available that physically adds Windows to a Mac computer to create a dual boot computer that you can boot to Windows or Mac and it is by Apple and is called
Apple Boot Camp. It is a free product that is installed with the Mac operating system.
We have a few customers that have used the above solutions and we have also tested the above solutions with our products and have found VMware's Fusion or Apple Boot Camp to provide the best experience running Windows based products on Apple hardware.
There is another style of running Windows programs on a Mac by using a Windows emulation tool, such as Crosstalk or WINE. Due to the nature of how our products work, these emulation products have typically not worked with BLS, BTM or TBRAC, nor is tested. We suggest using the virtualization products mentioned.
As a note, there are tablet size computers that run full versions of Windows, such as Microsoft's Surface Pro or Lenova ThinkPad Tablet 2 at low price points. Just be sure to get one that has Windows 10 or Windows 11 and uses an Intel or AMD processor that is not ARM based.