How to run SDL Trados Studio on an Apple Mac
Although SDL Trados Studio is not officially supported on an Apple Mac computer, we have had many success stories from our users running SDL Trados software via Microsoft Windows on their Apple Macs.
Working solutions explained
SDL Trados Studio will not install or run on the Apple Macs operating system - MAC OS X - directly. However, there are two solutions which will enable you to run SDL Trados Studio using Microsoft Windows on an Apple Mac.
For each of these solutions a copy of Microsoft Windows will need to be purchased from an independent retailer or the Microsoft Windows shop.
Solution 1: Boot Camp
Boot camp is a free utility built into Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard. It allows you to use Microsoft Windows applications, such as, SDL Trados Studio on your Apple Mac.
To use SDL Trados Studio you must set your Mac to run Boot Camp, ensuring that you boot in to Windows, and then reboot. This solution runs Windows natively on your Mac, therefore running at the same speed as if you were using a PC.
Learn more or download Boot Camp
Solution 2: Parallels or VMware
If you would like the option of seamlessly switching – without re-booting – between MAC OS X and Windows applications, you can download either Parallels or VMware at a small cost.
Parallels and VMware are applications known as virtual machines. A virtual machine will run alongside MAC OS X, allowing you to use your files and software on two operating systems simultaneously. It is simple to use and even allows you to copy and paste files, such as, SDLXLIFF and ITD bilingual files between Windows and MAC OS X environments.
Learn more or download Parallels
Which solution is best for me?
The decision to use either solution is quite simple. If you need to simultaneously use Windows software alongside MAC OS X software, Parallels or VMware is the best solution for you. This solution however is known to be slightly slower than Boot Camp, as it requires Windows to be running within MAC OS X, therefore making your memory and processor work harder.
Boot Camp has the simple benefit of being free with MAC OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard. It also has the advantage of running Windows at full native speed. However, unlike Parallels or VMware, you cannot run Windows and MAC OS X applications at the same time.
SDL Trados Studio installation guidelines
Once you have chosen the right solution for your particular needs, you can download SDL Trados Studio as normal, using the following guidelines:
Download SDL Trados Studio on to your Windows desktop; do not download it onto your MAC OS X desktop.
Download your soft key license file to your Windows desktop; do not download it onto your MAC OS X desktop. If you are using an activation code then please ignore this step.
Double-click the SDL Trados Studio installer and follow the instructions provided.
When prompted for a license, enter the path to your soft key license file or your activation code.
SDL Trados Studio should then install successfully and you can begin to take advantage of the many intuitive and time saving features.
