Character Builder Mac workaround - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Character Builder Mac workaround

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
paulv76
May 01, 2010 18:43:30 Does anyone know if there's a way to get the character builder to work on a 2008 Macbook? Unfortunately, I don't have a PC and the Character Builder is not compatible with the Mac operating system.
#2
hearn
May 01, 2010 18:52:53 I use the Character Builder on my macbook in the Parallels Desktop for mac (www.parallels.com/download/desktop/) a windows virtual machine. It's not free, but I have to say I've found it worth every penny. It even handles PC gaming fairly well. And the character builder and adventure tools seem to work flawlessly.
#3
paulv76
May 01, 2010 19:00:14 Cool, thanks for the advice. I'm downloading the trial now to see if I like it. $80 is a lot of money though, so I'll have to think about it.
#4
Awesomologist
May 01, 2010 19:04:21 Parallels is a pain in the rear end. It's sooooo sluggish. If you have an Intel mac and are running 10.5 or higher I suggest using Apple's Boot Camp. Create a small partition to run whatever Windows software you need and you'll be all set.

I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro both 2007 and they run Windows XP better than any Dell I worked with (thats why you pay more, its the better components). You'll have to buy a copy of XP or Vista. Not sure if it'll run W7 yet.
#5
smacintush
May 02, 2010 19:15:23 Parallels may be a little sluggish, but if he is just running the CB it's just fine. Version 5 is pretty nice IMO. I run it with Windows 7 and I have no problems. It's not like I'm trying to play games on it.

When I play I run my character out of my laptop and with parallels I can have the CB open too. I leave it in coherence mode so it's pretty seamless.

With bootcamp you have to reboot. Seems like kind of a pain when you are only using windows for ONE program.
#6
mccowen
May 09, 2010 12:08:52 I also use a virtual machine, but it's VMWare Fusion rather than Parallels. Parallels was extremely sluggish on my laptop, and one of my players (half of whom are IT guys) suggested Fusion; I've been very happy with it, and an academic license only cost me about $30.

I ran Boot Camp on my desktop for quite a while, as well, but since the only thing I did with it was play Fallout 1 & 2 and run the CB, I went ahead and removed the partition to free up some space. Boot Camp does have the massive advantage of being free, however, as long as you have Tiger or better and an old copy of XP SP2 hanging around somewhere.
#7
fifth_child
May 09, 2010 18:22:59
Sun Virtual Box is what I use. You do still need a copy of Windows to install, though.
#8
skalgrimm
May 09, 2010 22:04:13 I'm using Boot Camp and XP as well. This runs really well, and I can print the Character Sheets as a PDF and grab them from the Mac partition later.

The only problem (other than paying for a OS which I use for two programs, CB and MB) is that because you have to reboot to use CB, it reduces your ability to muck around with CB impulsively.
#9
modern_iconoclast
May 10, 2010 12:17:33

Sun Virtual Box is what I use. You do still need a copy of Windows to install, though.

I cast another vote in favor of Sun Virtual Box. Its' free.
I run Linux not MAC/OS but have the same problem with .NET apps.
VBox solved all my troubles, and it's fast. But not for gaming though.
Perfect for apps like the Char Builder.
#10
Magicstar1
May 20, 2010 15:07:08 Same here running a virtual box, works like a charm on my early 2008 MacBook.
Free except for the copy of Win XP off course.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 paulv76 May 01, 2010 18:43:30	Does anyone know if there's a way to get the character builder to work on a 2008 Macbook? Unfortunately, I don't have a PC and the Character Builder is not compatible with the Mac operating system.
#2 hearn May 01, 2010 18:52:53	I use the Character Builder on my macbook in the Parallels Desktop for mac (www.parallels.com/download/desktop/) a windows virtual machine. It's not free, but I have to say I've found it worth every penny. It even handles PC gaming fairly well. And the character builder and adventure tools seem to work flawlessly.
#3 paulv76 May 01, 2010 19:00:14	Cool, thanks for the advice. I'm downloading the trial now to see if I like it. $80 is a lot of money though, so I'll have to think about it.
#4 Awesomologist May 01, 2010 19:04:21	Parallels is a pain in the rear end. It's sooooo sluggish. If you have an Intel mac and are running 10.5 or higher I suggest using Apple's Boot Camp. Create a small partition to run whatever Windows software you need and you'll be all set. I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro both 2007 and they run Windows XP better than any Dell I worked with (thats why you pay more, its the better components). You'll have to buy a copy of XP or Vista. Not sure if it'll run W7 yet.
#5 smacintush May 02, 2010 19:15:23	Parallels may be a little sluggish, but if he is just running the CB it's just fine. Version 5 is pretty nice IMO. I run it with Windows 7 and I have no problems. It's not like I'm trying to play games on it. When I play I run my character out of my laptop and with parallels I can have the CB open too. I leave it in coherence mode so it's pretty seamless. With bootcamp you have to reboot. Seems like kind of a pain when you are only using windows for ONE program.
#6 mccowen May 09, 2010 12:08:52	I also use a virtual machine, but it's VMWare Fusion rather than Parallels. Parallels was extremely sluggish on my laptop, and one of my players (half of whom are IT guys) suggested Fusion; I've been very happy with it, and an academic license only cost me about $30. I ran Boot Camp on my desktop for quite a while, as well, but since the only thing I did with it was play Fallout 1 & 2 and run the CB, I went ahead and removed the partition to free up some space. Boot Camp does have the massive advantage of being free, however, as long as you have Tiger or better and an old copy of XP SP2 hanging around somewhere.
#7 fifth_child May 09, 2010 18:22:59	Sun Virtual Box is what I use. You do still need a copy of Windows to install, though.
#8 skalgrimm May 09, 2010 22:04:13	I'm using Boot Camp and XP as well. This runs really well, and I can print the Character Sheets as a PDF and grab them from the Mac partition later. The only problem (other than paying for a OS which I use for two programs, CB and MB) is that because you have to reboot to use CB, it reduces your ability to muck around with CB impulsively.
#9 modern_iconoclast May 10, 2010 12:17:33	Sun Virtual Box is what I use. You do still need a copy of Windows to install, though. I cast another vote in favor of Sun Virtual Box. Its' free. I run Linux not MAC/OS but have the same problem with .NET apps. VBox solved all my troubles, and it's fast. But not for gaming though. Perfect for apps like the Char Builder.
#10 Magicstar1 May 20, 2010 15:07:08	Same here running a virtual box, works like a charm on my early 2008 MacBook. Free except for the copy of Win XP off course.