All Windows commands will work. The left control key is the only problem, since it switches you between mac and windows. So, you can alt-tab between windows programs, while command-tab (normally used to move between programs in the mac) will do nothing. Once you hit that control key, though, command-tab will move you between mac apps, letting you get focus off of windows and onto a mac program, which is the whole point of running a vm instead of bootcamp. I believe you can configure the key to be something other than control, but someone more experienced will have to comment on that.
Yes, OS10.9 Mavericks is coming in the fall. If you can stand to wait, holding off until it is released will save you the cost of upgrading (usually $20 to $30), though last year Apple gave free upgrades to those who bought Macs close to the Mountain Lion release date. Still, there is no telling when the date for that program is, assuming it happens at all. I have Mac Mini and regret it - I'd so much rather have a laptop. That said, since you are choosing between a Mini and and iMac, it sounds like you only want a desktop solution. In that case, it depends on your vision and what you want to buy. The iMac has a large screen, so you only need a keyboard and mouse, whereas the Mini has no screen but is much smaller. This means you can hook the Mini to any monitor or TV you might have, and the actual tower will take up less room and cost less. If you rely on enlarged text as well as speech, the iMac might be good for you due to its large screen. If you need speech only, the Mini would be better since it is cheaper and you can just hook up a small monitor to it, taking up less space. Some Minis need a monitor connected, even if it is never on, or they slow down and become hard to use, which is why I did not say you could forego the monitor entirely. Besides, when sighted family or friends need to use the computer or help you should something happen to speech or your speakers, having a screen right there can be very helpful. On Jun 15, 2013, at 9:55 AM, "zoe" <fiog...@rogers.com> wrote: > Ok guys, let's say paralel is out. if I go with fusion, am I to understand > that I would not be able to boot windows up independedntly and use windows > commands? I like the idea if sharing files and etc between windows and mac > but I'm a little afraid of not being able to use windows independently, > Also excuse me I'm not familiar yet with all the mac terminology, but I > think if I get the mac now it would come with mountain lion, but I think I > read somewhere that something new is coming out in the fall, should I wait > for the fall to get the newest out there or should I stick with the mountain > lion and get it now? Also trying to make a desision between the mac mini > and the beautiful looking 27 inch all in one base i mac and opinions there? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Alex Hall" <mehg...@gmail.com> > To: <macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> > Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 8:13 PM > Subject: Re: Fusion boot camp or parallel > > > My thoughts are that it depends. I used Bootcamp when I started with the > Mac, and installed a boot manager that let me just hit w or m to boot into > windows or mac. It was great, since I needed to know not a single mac > command to use windows, whereas a virtual machine solution requires you to > be able to at least launch it in mac first. That said, I had no official > training so had to rely on this list and twitter to learn everything about > the mac. Since I still needed to use my computer on a daily basis, and since > the mac was my only machine, I felt that being able to use native windows > would be the best solution for me, until I was either comfortable with the > mac or decided it was not for me and stuck with only windows. Needless to > say, I got used to the mac and now hardly ever boot windows, and am looking > into replacing my bootcamp setup with a vm solution. > > If you are close to an Apple Store, you could go in there and get help, > especially in the first thirty days while your machine is still under > warranty. So, since you have access to help, I think a virtual machine > solution is better: no partitioning of the hard drive, not needing to shut > down to do something in the other OS, and you can even run a vm of win7 and > one of win8, or a linux distro, if you wanted to. > > None of this is final, too - if you bootcamp now, you can also use a vm > solution and erase your bootcamp later, or vice versa. > > As to virtual machine applications, I have no information on Parallels, but > I know Fusion is accessible. Virtualbox, another program, is not very > accessible, but it can be used. However, I had sound problems when I tried > to use it, so i'd stay away from that one. Really, Fusion seems the best > option, unless (as another poster said) Parallels has been updated to be > accessible. > > Please don't hesitate to ask questions about the mac as you learn it. We are > all here to help, and some of us are even happy to talk to you on the phone > or skype if necessary. > On Jun 14, 2013, at 7:49 PM, Daniel Miller <miller...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hi Zoey, >> >> I myself am using Fusion, and it's the most wonderful solution for >> accessing Windows programs along with your mac ones. Bootcamp requires >> some sighted help to set up, unless you can find a guide to help you, >> which I honestly still wouldn't recommend. >> As far as Parallels, that's completely inaccessible, the last time i heard >> anything, but they may have changed. A lot of people on this list use >> VmWare Fusion. >> >> On Jun 14, 2013, at 6:45 PM, zoe <fiog...@rogers.com> wrote: >> >>> Hi everyone, I am thinking about getting a base iMac. I am thinking >>> about getting a fusion drive and running Windows 8. I have been using >>> windows for 13 years and IM a little afraid to convert to the Mac. I use >>> an iPhone, and that has opened up a new world for me. The accessibility >>> that I have gotten with voice over in my humble opinion, is excellent. >>> Even though I love my iPhone, the truth of the matter is I am used to >>> windows. Having said all this I really want to make the transition to Mac >>> I believe that I can learn a lot, and I also further believe that my >>> experience will be great. Here is where I need everybody's feedback. The >>> person who assessed me for my new computer suggested I use Boot Camp >>> which comes with the Mac computer. a second person later on suggested >>> that I use fusion because it is easier to toggle between windows and the >>> mac side. When I went to the Apple Store the gentleman who helped me, a >>> very very nice man and knowledgeable invoice over told me I should not go >>> with boot camp or fusion, but I should go with something called parallel. >>> What do you all suggest. I would like to know the differences between >>> Boot Camp fusion and parallel what will be the best for me to run what is >>> most accessible? Does it even matter? Should I be putting so much >>> thought into this? Any advice would be appreciated so so much thank you >>> all for taking the time to read my mail and thank you in advance for >>> giving me advice if you can. Regards Zoe >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >>> >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> >> > > > > Have a great day, > Alex (msg sent from Mac Mini) > mehg...@gmail.com > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from Mac Mini) mehg...@gmail.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
