Running DXLab Applications on Macintosh
de John K8AJS
DXLab applications can be run on Macintosh computers with Intel processors using Mac OS X versions 10.6 (Snow Leopard) through 10.13 (High Sierra), running Windows in virtual machine software such as Parallels or VMware Fusion
Current operation experience: I am currently running DXLab (all latest versions) in Windows 10, using Parallels Desktop version 13 in Mac OS 10.12 (Sierra) on a MacBook Pro 15-inch (Mid 2014) with 16GB RAM and in the shack in MacOS 10.11 (El Capitan) on a MacPro (Early 2009) with 16GB RAM. The MacBook Pro uses a 22-inch 1920 x 1200 external display, the MacPro is driving a 30-inch 2560 x 1600 display.
Macintosh system requirements for Parallels Desktop can be found here.
Previously I had also used VMare Fusion for Mac virtual machine software and had satisfactory operation; currently I have not run VMware for a number of years, but from past experience I believe that it would also be a reliable method to run Windows on a Mac for DXLab. I have no experience setting up recent versions of VMware for this; perhaps other DXLab users have used it and can offer help.
There have been recent discussions regarding using VirtualBox software from Oracle as a possible less expensive solution. I’ve recently done more work with VirtualBox on the Mac and Windows 7 in an attempt to make this setup work; I still am not successful in my attempts to achieve smooth and seamless operation in this setup and cannot recommend it.
If you're running Windows in a Virtual Machine using either Parallels or VMware Fusion, enable the right-click function for your mouse or trackpad in the Mac System Preferences window on the Mouse or Trackpad Preferences pane. In the Point & Click panel, be sure to check the Secondary Button checkbox to enable a true right-click on your mouse or trackpad.
For the MacBook Pro trackpad or the Magic Trackpad, you may choose how to enable the secondary click: Click or tap with two fingers, Click in bottom right corner, or Click in bottom left corner.
If you're setting up on your Macintosh and questions answered or suggestions for setup, I'm always available via e-mail at jbastin1@me.com
Comments and Suggestions
* de Jim N0AV: Allocating more RAM to the VM helped some but the biggest improvement came with 2 CPU cores allocated to the Windows 7 virtual machine. Now DXlabs runs very well on the IMac using Parallels!
* de John K8AJS: performance with Windows 7 can be improved by avoiding the Aero themes on the Personalization panel, selecting Windows Classic as the display theme. This provides an easily readable display that updates quickly, even with dual 1920 x 1200 displays.