I installed Windows 7 on my MacBook so I can run ArcGIS on the go without lugging around a second laptop.

This will come as a shock to people that know me. Whenever I hear the words "Windows", "Microsoft", or "PC", I immediately roll my eyes and toss my head back in a mockingly superior pose, then launch into a pretentious argument about why Macs are so much better than PC's. And I'm right. I'm also less principled than I appear, which is why I swallowed my pride and installed Windows 7 on my Macbook. Somehow –somehow!– it didn't kill me.

I have been fighting with ArcGIS all year. It's a clunky program, characterized by just the kind of wonky interface that you would expect from programmers who write code exclusively for PC's. During even the most routine tasks, I often get error codes that are reminiscent of Windows 3.0: "Application Error – Unauthorized Keystroke (Ref # 3187CX-R-59). Program will self-destruct in 10 seconds without 24 digit abort code which must be requested from ESRI headquarters. Allow 3-5 weeks for processing."

But I need ArcGIS. Qualitative geographers aren't supposed to say things like that, but I do. It's the industry standard GIS software. If I want to be a geographer, I should know how to use it. Furthermore, I need it for my MA project. 

After wasting too many hours last week (and last year) trying to run ArcGIS on a less capable PC laptop, I purchased a copy of Windows 7 (wearing non-descript clothing, a hat, and dark sunglasses), installed it on my MacBook, and then installed ArcGIS. It runs much, much better. What's more, I no longer have to choose between working at my desk near my books and documents and going to the basement. 

So how did I do it? You can find more details on the internet, but here's the simple process:

1. Backup your computer.

2. Use iDefrag to clean up your hard drive.
You need uninterrupted space on your hard drive for the Windows partition.

3. Use BootCamp Assistant to partition your hard drive for Windows. Allow about 30GB.

4. Insert Windows 7 installation disk (I used 32 bit) and follow prompts. 
Now your MacBook has Windows 7, too.

5. Use Apple's Snow Leopard disk to load drivers.

6. In Windows environment, download new drivers using Boot Camp updater.
These two steps help your Mac hardware and Windows OS play nice.

7. Insert ArcGIS disk and follow prompts. 

8. Download iTunes, Safari, Quick Time, and Adobe Acrobat reader. 
Just because you now have Windows 7 doesn't mean you want to get into the habit of using Microsoft software.

Done! 

Next time you start up, hold down the "Option" key and you can pick between booting up in Mac OSX or Windows 7. And you'll be able to do all your ArcGIS work without switching computers. I also recommend getting a travel-size external drive on which to store and access all mapping projects; it will keep your hard drive from getting cluttered.