I keep seeing reference to "EQ" and upon some research see that it's only available to Windows users.

I use a Mac and am seeking recommendations from other Mac users about quilting software.

What do you like? Dislike?

How would you advise me?

Thanks!

-- Jillaine

I'm not a Mac person, but if you can run Windows on your Mac, you can install EQ. Prices vary, including the cost of buying Windows.

Well, it a lot easier if your Mac has an Intel processor.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/guide/windows

And there is plenty of other software that allows a cheaper way for you to run Windows only applications on a Mac.
As an example (you'll have to do your own research):
http://www.parallels.com/landingpage...FSVa7AodPV1K_g

Thanks, MTS.

I should have clarified-- I run a Windows-free Mac. If I wanted to run Windows, I wouldn't have a Mac. ;-)

-- Jillaine

I have recently purchased the Quilt-pro 5 for Mac's. It is a lot less than EQ, less than $100.00 and is really quite spectacular. I am still learning to use it, but the basics are, you can pick a block (from their large library) or design your own. You can select fabrics from their fabric library or scan your own fabric to create the block. You can then put the block into a quilt, create how many blocks you want in your quilt, add borders (up to 10)with miters or cornerstones, add sashing, rotate the blocks or place them on point. You can size the blocks and the quilt and then print yardage, cutting instructions, and even convert the block to numbered paper piecing instructions. You can save your blocks and quilts in your library. There is a lot more, but I'm still learning the software. I'm really glad I purchased it. Hope this helps

Jennifer, thanks.
It sounds pretty good.
I love the idea of scanning your fabric.

mmm... okay; it's not in the budget now, but good to know about it.

any other mac contenders?

-- Jillaine

Re: what feffertim wrote:

And I'd wager that's about all that 90% of EQ users do with their software (including me).

You might want to check in on eBay - sometimes you can pick up an earlier version for bupkus.

I can afford bupkus. Thanks.

Jillaine, I hate Windows too and am a Mac girl. However, I have several programs that I HAVE to run Windows to operate such as my Bernina software and a few other programs. It stinks for sure. But, I've found that running Boot Camp solves a lot of problems for me, which basically is a program that partitions a small percentage of your Mac to be able to run Windows based programs. Virtual PC is also an option.

I really wish ALL software were made for both systems, but I found I was cutting my nose off to spite my face by refusing to run some Windows type software. Check out Boot Camp and Virtual PC.

DH bought me a brand new Mac Book, thin air thingy laptop, I don't like it at all. None of the programs I like and use will run on it. I went right back to my old windows computer for all my quilting programs. DGD will probably get the Mac for school use, not much worry about virus or hackers with a Mac.

Yeah, I guess you Mac people are just going to have to slum it for now :mrgreen: :mrgreen: until they make a pure Mac version.

I can't stay and chat as I have to go remove the 7 thousand new viruses that have found a home on my hard drive in the last hour. :wink: :wink:

Jilliane, I run a windows free Mac also. I am with you on the idea of if I wanted windows, I would not have a Mac. i would not give up my Mac for anything. I fought with PC's for many yrs and you cannot tell anyone how much better a Mac is. They won't listen to you. It is way better. If you have a quilting software answer, let me know. until then keep using our apples.

I'm a Mac owner but my genealogy program is Windows. My son installed VMware Fusion and set up a partition so I can run my program, rest of the time it's my Mac software.

Yes , me I left a message on this thread. I saw the sluming messaage. Ha ha If theyonly new what we have.

I will be following this thread, as I am a PC person wanting to switch to MAC. I just have to much software for PC that I do not want to invest in getting a MAC version.

Hi Jen , I understand where you are, It took me a long time to convert too Mac just for the same reason. I also have a Dell laptop to run my windows programs but hardly ever use it.

I am also a Mac person... Would NEVER consider putting Windows on mine... Ended up buying a PC laptop for EQ, but I have found I use it SO seldomly since joining this board that I have to first plug in the laptop and charge it if I want to use EQ!
So far (it's only been 4.5yrs) EQ has been the only program I thought I needed that badly.

I also use a MAC Book, but have not purchased any quilting design software as yet. Will be watching this topic as well.

I have a Mac too....I'll never go back to windows.

I didn't realize there were quilting programs for Macs. Thanks for asking this question! I will check out the one listed and wait to see if there are more posted.

I love my iMac, we have several in our house. This is my main computer, but I do have a desktop PC.

I love my Apple and I hate my PC. I have even replaced the hard drive myself. I find that my Apple can do anything I need it to. I won't put Windows or an emulator on it, either. lol

I have a mac and I have Quilt Pro 5. I've designed several quilts with it and find it easy to use and lots of fun!

I love my Mac but do have parallels installed so that I can run my Janome 11000 software and also my EQ7 as I had those before I bought the Mac. I only open the 'parallels/windows' partition when I use those applications.

I run parallels on my Mac and have Windows 7 installed that is where I run my embroidery and quilting software. Works fine.

Another Mac user here.Mine is 2 yrs old & SIL installed Windows on it, because he thought it'd be easier to gradually move to Mac.
He was always showing me what Mac could do....whole family is into Apple products....anyway, not sure I could use Windows if I wanted to, don't remember how.:) Apple all the way! :) :)

which is why i have a mac... lol

I'm a Mac user also. I installed the VM Fusion software on my Mac & it runs Windows programs. Have EQ6 and it runs fine. I think there's also Parallels software that will allow you to run Windows. There's a yahoo group for EQ Mac users that's very helpful.

I'm so glad to hear from both of you on the Mac. I have a Mac also and wouldn't give it up for anything!!! I too hope someone comes up with Mac only program for quilters. Thanks for starting this thread Jilliane.

I too, Love my Mac. Will never have a PC. Thanks for telling us about the Mac software, am going to check into this.

I love my MAC too. And will never go back to PC...
I think i'll check out the quilt pro 5.

Love all these wonderful Mac comments! Now, how can we forward this thread to the designers of quilt softwear so they can wake up and smell the coffee? We want MAC based quilting software and aren't going to take it anymore! ;-)

I checked the laptop DH gave me, it's a 13-inch 256GB, Mac Air book. He uses a HP laptop so ? anyway, it's the prettiest laptop I've seen but the thing won't run my EQ software and I have about all of the programs. I guess if I had to use the computer to tote around for work I'd use the Mac. I use my IPad for portable computer use. It does all I need, internet and email.

I bought a Mac Mini on ebay for $350. It is about the size of a thick paperback book. I also have a HP media center desktop. I bought a switch control from Radio Shack that lets me go back and forth between the two systems. I love having both. The Mac keeps me out of trouble with viruses so I use that for the internet and the PC for the other software for Windows.

I have FUSION on my mac so that I can run my embroidery programs....I really love my mac..and only use the windows side for softwear that I have to have for crafting...I have not bought any quilting softwear...I just won't give up my mac...My son is a MAC SPECIALIST ..so should I need any help or have any issues he can log into my computer and fix it from anywhere he is..My husband has a pc and is always having issues with virus or hardwear problems...

Candace,

When I initially purchased my macbook, I did check out these products. But there's very little I do that requires Windows. And it just seemed so odd to put Windows on an Apple machine. If I really needed Windows-based programs that badly, I'd buy a windows machine.

I'm not against Windows, generally; I'm just against running it on a Mac. ;-)

-- Jillaine

Fascinating... I have attempted to find comparisons of EQ and QP without much success. I can't find anyone who has done a *recent* side by side comparison of the two.

If someone knows of such a comparison and can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

In the meantime, though, it sounds like Quilt Pro for Mac is a good product (from what little I've found about it).

-- Jillaine

We went Mac - hubby works with computers so was unsure how easy it would be. After we plugged mine in and it installed and set itself up, he got a MacBook pro. I believe if you want to use the windows programs via bootcamp, fusion, or parallels, you still have to buy a version of windows. I don't miss anything Windows at all, but then again, I don't use quilting software yet, so will be interested how this turns out.

Mac and I will never part!

This is correct. In order to run windows on a mac you install the software: bootcamp/parallels/fusion (not sure if any of these are free), then you have to buy a full version of windows (will not work with an upgrade version)

Jillaine----so glad you asked this! Jennifer, Thanks for this info. I too have been looking for a program for my mac and now know which way to go.

Recently, I installed Windows software through BootCamp as an optional OS. Now it's like having 2 computers in 1.
I love my Mac! Stability, performance and security are exceptional.
I recently joined a local 'Mac user group' that provides free discussions and tips on Mac features and how to set up greater functionality. That's been worthwhile too.

Good response!