Running BLS on a Mac: What You Need to Know
If you're looking to run Windows-based software like BLS on a Mac, here's what you need to know:
Windows-Based Computers
For the best experience, we recommend purchasing a simple Windows-based computer or laptop with an Intel or AMD processor. This will avoid the need for additional software or setup to run BLS.
Macs with Apple Silicon (M Series Processors)
Apple has recently moved to their own M1 and M2 processors, which are ARM-based. Running Windows on these Macs requires some extra steps:
Using Parallels Desktop 18: We tested BLS on a MacBook Pro with an M2 processor using Parallels Desktop 18. This software allows you to run a virtual machine (VM) that behaves like a real computer. Parallels makes it easy to download and install a special version of Windows 11 Home designed for ARM processors.
VMWare Fusion: Another option is VMWare Fusion, which also supports Windows 11 for ARM processors. However, Parallels is currently easier to set up.
Our Recommendation: We recommend Parallels for its ease of use. While BLS can be installed and run on Windows 11 for ARM, we have not exhaustively tested for full compatibility and cannot guarantee it.
Macs with Intel Processors
If you have a Mac with an Intel processor, you have a few options:
Using Virtualization Software: You can use software like Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, or Oracle VirtualBox to create a Windows virtual machine on your Mac. This allows you to switch between your Mac programs and Windows programs seamlessly. You will need to purchase a Windows 10 or Windows 11 license.
Apple Boot Camp: Another option is using Apple Boot Camp, a free tool that allows you to install Windows on your Mac, creating a dual-boot setup. You can choose to boot into either Windows or macOS.
Our Testing: We've tested these solutions and found that VMWare Fusion and Apple Boot Camp provide the best experience for running Windows-based products on Mac hardware.
Emulation Tools
There are tools like Crosstalk or WINE that emulate Windows on a Mac, but these typically do not work well with BLS, BTM, or TBRAC. We recommend sticking with virtualization software.
Windows Tablets
If you're looking for portability, consider a tablet that runs a full version of Windows, such as Microsoft's Surface Pro or Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2. Just make sure it has Windows 10 or Windows 11 and uses an Intel or AMD processor (not ARM-based).
In summary, while you can run BLS on a Mac, the easiest and most reliable method is to use a Windows-based computer. If you prefer to stick with a Mac, virtualization with Parallels or VMWare Fusion is your best bet.