Power BI Desktop on MacBook – Part 2

In the first part of this topic, we presented how to run Power BI Desktop after installing a Virtual Machine with Microsoft Windows. In this second part we demonstrate how to run Power BI Desktop using Apple Boot Camp or Boot Camp with a External SSD Drive.

We need first to understand some disadvantages of using Virtual Machines and how Apple Boot Camp may be an option. Running a Virtual Machine requires allocating system resources, such as CPU, RAM, and storage to the virtualized operating system which can lead to a decrease in overall performance compared to running the operating system natively. For instance, intensive tasks, or demanding applications, such as Power BI Desktop, may not perform as well may potentially slowing down the overall performance of the system.

On the other hand, the use of Apple Boot Camp allows the installation of Microsoft Windows natively on MacBook, providing optimal performance since the hardware is dedicated solely to running Windows. This means that Microsoft Windows runs directly on the hardware, providing seamless integration what ensures better compatibility with specific apps from Microsoft Windows and offers better experiences to users. Therefore, for older MacBooks, with an Intel chip, Apple Boot Camp may be a better solution.

Apple Boot Camp

Please note that, so far, Apple Boot Camp is only available for MacBooks with Intel processors and Parallels Desktop is the only official solution ensured by Microsoft for using Windows 10 or Windows 11 with MacBooks with Apple M-series (i.e., Apple M1 and Apple M2 chips).

How to install and run Power Bi Desktop on MacBooks with an Intel chip using Apple Boot Camp:

To install Windows 10 or Windows 11 in a MacBook with an Intel chip (e.g., i5, i7, or i9) using Apple Boot Camp, follow the procedures bellow:

  1. Before proceeding with the installation, you first need to download the Official Windows image ISO. Go to the website of Microsoft and download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 image ISO:

Windows 10 – https://www.microsoft.com/pt-pt/software-download/windows10ISO

Windows 11 – https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

  1. Open Boot Camp Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder, in Applications folder and click Continue; 

  2. Boot Camp should automatically locate the Microsoft Windows image ISO file on the system. If not, click Select and find the image ISO file in the MacBook. Click and drag the slider in the Partition Section that will be set to 48GB by default. Then, click Install to start the Windows Support Installation.
  3. Type your MacBook Password and click Ok. MacBook will restart and Microsoft Windows is ready to be installed in the new boot. Follow all the normal seps of Windows installation;
  4. Once the installation is finished, you can install Power Bi Desktop. Go to the website of Power Bi and select the PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe version, click Next and the download will start. Install the app in the new Microsoft Windows boot and enjoy.

Power Bi Desktop – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=58494

For further informations about the installation of Microsoft Windows with Apple Boot Camp, please contact.

Boot Camp With External SSD Drive

If you have a MacBook with limited storage (e.g., only 250GB), you may need a different solution. Installing Windows on an External SSD Drive may helps to save valuable internal storage space on Macbook. In addition, you may have a larger amount of storage dedicated to Microsoft Windows applications, data, and files. However, so far, Boot Camp with External SSD Drive is only available for MacBooks with Intel processors and Parallels Desktop is the only official solution ensured by Microsoft for using Windows 10 or Windows 11 with MacBooks with Apple M-series (i.e., Apple M1 and Apple M2 chips).

How to install and run Power Bi Desktop on MacBooks with Apple Intel chips with Boot Camp in a External SSD:

Note that this solution requires a SSD Drive with at least 500GB, read/ write speeds of 1.050 / 1.000 MB/s and USB C connection to links the SSD  Drive directly to MacBook Thunderbolt ports (i.e., the use of external USB adapters may constrain read/ write speeds). To install Windows 10 or Windows 11 in a MacBook with an Intel chip (e.g., i5, i7, or i9) with Boot Camp and a External SSD Drive follow the procedures bellow:

  1. Before proceeding with the installation, you first need to download the Official Windows image ISO. Go to the site of Microsoft and download the Windows 10 or Windows 11 image ISO;

Windows 10 – https://www.microsoft.com/pt-pt/software-download/windows10ISO

Windows 11 – https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

  1. Open Boot Camp Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder, in Applications folder and in Action click in Download Windows Support Software;  
  2. For the next steps, you need a Microsoft Windows environment. Install a Virtual Machine (i.e., see the procedures in part 1) or use the Apple Boot Camp in your internal SSD (see the procedures above).
  3. Once in Microsoft Windows, plugging and format the SSD Drive to exFAT file system;
  4. Go to the WinToUSB website, download and install the last version of the WinToUSB app in you Microsoft Windows;

WinToUSB – https://wintousb.en.uptodown.com/windows

  1.  Starts the WinToUSB app with administrator privileges, go to Image File, find the official Windows image ISO, download before, and click Next.
  2. Select the External SSD Drive to receive the Windows image ISO and click Next. In selection of partition scheme, select GPT for UEFI and click Yes.
  3. Click Start and in the end of process your External SSD Drive is ready to starts the Microsoft Windows installation.
  4. To boot the External SSD Drive and install Microsoft Windows, you need to change the Boot Permissions. Restart the MacBook and immediately hold down Command and R keys to enter in macOS Recovery. Click on Utilities and in Startup Security Utility.
  5. Select Allow Booting from External or Removable Media. Restart again and hold on the Option key. Once in boot, plugin your External SSD Drive and it will be shown in the screen. Select the External SSD Drive and press enter.
  6. Microsoft Windows is now ready to be installed in External SSD Drive. Follow all the normal seps of Windows installation. Note that the use of a USB Keyboard and USB Mouse may be required during the installation.
  7. Once the Microsoft Windows is installed, locate the Windows Support Software, previous downloaded from Boot Camp Assistant, and install the drivers. Restart the MacBook and Repeat the installation process again, until all drivers (e.g., graphics, sound, Wi-Fi) are well installed.
  8. After all drivers installed, you can install Power Bi Desktop. Go to the site of Power Bi and select the PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe version, click Next and the download will start. Install the app in your new Microsoft Windows boot and enjoy.

Power Bi Desktop – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=58494

For further informations about the installation of Microsoft Windows with Boot Camp in a External SSD Drive, please contact.