Windows 7 is the latest in Microsoft software and Mac users can get all the features without having to buy a PC.

Here's how to download it onto your MacBook or MacBook Pro:

It’s completely free. You can log onto CNET and download it from Virtual Box. Once that is installed, download the Windows 7 Release Candidate, which may take a while if you have a slow connection – the file itself is 2.36 gigabytes. You will need an account from MSN, hotmail or Windows Live to download from the Microsoft website.

Now, launch the VirtualBox program and create a New Virtual Machine – name it Windows 7 or whatever you would like to call it. For smoother performance, set the RAM to one gigabyte. As for the other settings, set it all to default and start your new Virtual Machine.

You can install Windows 7 from CD or DVD.

Then follow each installation box.

Then when you reach an installation box that asks which type of installation you want, select “Custom.”

Then it will ask you where you want to install the program – here, you would install it in the default location, which is your 20 gigabyte virtual hard drive.

After it’s done, enter a username and set your Use Recommended settings to start off. Click next to avoid registration. Don’t forget to set your Windows clock to the correct time and you are all set.

Just a reminder, the Windows 7 Release Candidate should continue to run until June 2010, after that, it will prompt you to buy the full version.