RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community

Im looking to be able to plug my macbook into the car and see whats what, trouble is I've never done this before so am looking for advice on what i need, or even if you can do it on apple.

Try the Ross tech website for advice on using an apple or not. I will say one thing though buy a genuine cable or borrow one as I borrowed one from a mate at work before buying mine and it's saved me time and money on a number of occasions. Only bought one once I realised how much I'd use it.

Thanks, I've emailed them....

This is what their website says:
There will be no "native" Mac or Linux versions. The time and effort required to "port" VCDS to these platforms would never be worthwhile. VCDS works fine on Apple Mac computers that have Intel processors (all modern Macs) when Windows is installed on them using Boot Camp. Most computers that are used to run Linux can also boot Windows. If you do not wish to install Windows, we now offer a platform-independent version of VCDS called "VCDS-Mobile".


I can confirm this works as my MacBook Pro runs windows and VCDS with no issues.

MikeFish wrote:This is what their website says:
There will be no "native" Mac or Linux versions. The time and effort required to "port" VCDS to these platforms would never be worthwhile. VCDS works fine on Apple Mac computers that have Intel processors (all modern Macs) when Windows is installed on them using Boot Camp. Most computers that are used to run Linux can also boot Windows. If you do not wish to install Windows, we now offer a platform-independent version of VCDS called "VCDS-Mobile".


I can confirm this works as my MacBook Pro runs windows and VCDS with no issues.

Thanks for that Mike, either that or I might just get a cheap laptop and keep it in the car.
Would it work on one of those little note books?

I have a Lenovo Mixx 300 which is a mini laptop/tablet. It was 100 in John Lewis (reduced from 139 or something) it isn't the greatest computer by any means as you would imagine for that price but it works fine for VCDS and other tasks. I bought it for traveling as so small, but it is actually heavier than my full sized Thinkpad !

Thanks mb2. That's the sort of thing I was thinking of.

As an aside, the latest VCDS update along with the cable chip update, has really speed the fault code check process up.

Always improving their product which is great to see.

Also note that VCDS will not work with Mac if using Windows on a virtual machine. You need to dual boot as mentioned earlier.

If only I had Googled it before I went to the trouble

Ellis wrote:Also note that VCDS will not work with Mac if using Windows on a virtual machine. You need to dual boot as mentioned earlier.

Not true. I'm using a 2010 17" MacBook Pro with OS X El Capitan and Parallels, and I have a 32-BIT Windows 10 VM that runs VCDS quite happily. VCDS will run on a 64-bit VM, but ETKA and ElsaWin won't. Having my "Car" VM always with me, as long as I have my MBP with me, means I only need to add the VCDS cable to my bag to be able to troubleshoot on the side of the road.

Dual-boot will work, but is not needed.

I will echo @weekenny's sentiment, but for a different reason. Buy a genuine cable. Your purchase will support Uwe Ross and his on-going development of VCDS. @Surrey Sam is right, Uwe keeps updating it, and purchasing a genuine cable is how he affords to stay in business.

iduff wrote:VCDS will run on a 64-bit VM

I stand corrected.

Ross-Tech FAQ should be updated...

Ross-Tech FAQ wrote:Systems running Windows in a virtualized environment (for example Virtual PC on a Mac) are not supported.

Nah, @Ellis, you're OK. Ross-Tech is correct, they don't support it, but it does work fine. Sorry if I came across too strongly.