GPS Mapping and Your Mac
You have a Mac® computer and you have a GPS receiver; and the map and mapping software are not compatible. So how do you so this problem? You have many options:
Borrow or buy a PC computer
Get a copy of Bootcamp® and Windows® XP™ or Vista™
Upgrade your Mac® Tiger® operating system to Leopard® OS X and get a copy of Windows® XP™ or Vista™
The first option is not necessary unless you have a PC lying around. And if you are a passionate Mac® user like I am, you don't want to go back to a Window®-based computer. Unfortunately, the free Bootcamp® upload is no longer available from Apple® Computer since they bundled the software with the Leopard® upgrade. So that leaves you with three other feasible options.
Parallels®
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The software Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac®(Intel based) allows you to run Window®-based programs on a Mac® OS X 4.6 or later with Intel® processors. I have used the Parallels® software on my computer and it works once everything is loaded properly. Two of the advantages to Parallels® are that you don't have to partition your hard drive for Windows® and that you don't have to reboot your computer to switch from OS X® and Windows®. The disadvantage with it, however, is that many people have a lot of problems loading on Microsoft® Windows™ XP with SP2 and/or Vista™ into Parallels®. But once Windows® is up and running, the software works flawlessly with almost all of the GPS software. There are two requirements though: You must use a fully-licensed copy of Windows® XP™ or Vista™ that is not included in the Parallels® package; your Mac® computer must have an Intel®-based processor with at least 1 GB (2 GB with Vista™) of memory. |
BootCamp/Leopard®
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Mac® OS X Version 10.5 Leopard® has the Bootcamp software coupled with it. Bootcamps® allows you to run Window®-based programs on a Mac®. After I upgraded my Mac® with Leopard®, I prefer this combination of software over the Parallels®:. Bootcamp® runs the Window® flawlessly. The only disadvantage I have experienced with it, however, is that I have to reboot my computer to leave OS X® and enter Windows®. However, the rebooting process is quick and easy once everything is set up. |
You must use a fully-licensed copy of Windows™ XP™ with SP2 or Vista™ that is not included in the upgrade package; your Mac® computer must have at least 1 GB (2 GB with Vista™) of memory.
When you use the BootCamp® software, you must partition your hard drive for OS X® and Windows™. If you plan on using Windows™ XP®, this Windows™ partition will be a minimum of 5 GB and can be either NTFS or FAT32 formated. Vista® requires more hard drive capacity and NTFS formated. With NTFS formated partition, you will not be able to save files to the Windows™ volume from Mac® OS X®. However, with the FAT32 formated partition, will allow you to read and write files on the Windows™ partiition from Mac® OS X. The FAT32 option is available only if the Windows™ partition that you create is 32 GB or less.
Another small problem with running Windows™ on your Mac® computer is that the Mac® keyboard is not the same as a PC keyboard. This difference takes a little getting use to when you are operating in the Windows™ environment. Also, some of the function keys and commands are different. But with a little practice, going from one operating system to the next becomes second nature.
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Mapping with Google™Earth
Making the switch over to run Windows™ on your Mac® computer can be expensive, but it is worth the effort if you upload GPS maps. However, if you only upload maps rarely or use SD memory cards with maps preloaded on you receiver, mapping your routes on Google™Earth may be a better option.
With Google™Earth you can map out your route and transfer the information to your GPS receiver. The Google™Earth map won't transfer, but you will have the route data in your receiver, and that will show over your internal map. Your receiver's map may not have the detail that Google™Earth offers, but you will have the route information for following your waypoints. In addition, if you return from a trip with GPS data, you can transfer this information to Google™Earth and see your route there. For details on how to map with Google™Earth and your receiver, go to the following link.
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