Instruction: Answer the given question by extracting information from the supporting document.

Input:
Question: I want to install Windows 8.1 on my Mac and I need a DVD to do it. Is this a DVD or just a download? Thanks
Document: Total upgrade time took less than an hour.The installation process went as follows after inserting the installation DVD:(1) "Preparing": took about 3 minutes to check for and download updates online. (2) Windows 8 offered to either preserve your existing applications data files (and some settings) or do a fresh install. I chose to retain my applications and data.
Used it to install Windows on my Macbook Pro using Parallels 9. Worked fantastically! Oh but with one interesting issue...I couldn't seem to simply make an ISO of the DVD and then let Parallels use that to install. Instead, I had to use a Microsoft tool to download windows 8.1 and it then made an ISO that I let Parallels use to install. So, really, in the end all I used was the product key.
If you don't want/need technical support or the potential to transfer the license to a new computer, then look at the "OEM" version (Windows 8.1 System Builder OEM DVD 64-Bit).This is NOT the "Professional" version of Windows 8.1. Make sure you are selecting the version you need/want. To learn more, just perform a web search for: Differences between Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Professional.
Oh, by the way, if you have a non-Microsoft POP email account be forewarned that the standard 8.1 Mail app will not work. You will need to download Windows Live Mail 2011 if you want to keep your previous account. (Microsoft advises that you tell your ISP to change your account or you can just change your email provider - maybe Microsoft?)
I had this clean-installed on a Dell by Geeks At Work because I didn't have time. As far as I can tell, they did it correctly. It has proven so unsatisfactory that I'm relieved it's not on my primary work station - I went over to Mac for the stuff that matters some time ago, fortunately. This 8.1 problem reminds me why. When I attempt to download a program it freezes the machine's WiFi.
Was very satisfied with the purchase and install of Windows 8.1. I had an older version of Windows 7 which I really liked but got hit with a very bad virus that required resetting the system. I still had some problems after resetting because I had to wait for all the updates to catch up, so buying and installing windows 8.1 completely solved the problem. Thanks so much.
I just got a new touchscreen laptop and I thought that windows 8 would be better than 7 in that environment. I really don't like it. There isn't a start button, even with the 8.1 release. When you download a program and try to launch it from the browser, it starts in the desktop interface, so you have to exit out of the browser and hit the desktop tile in order to install the program.
Good luck trying to download from the Windows Store and install it. I thought I'd stop by Amazon and price the disc. It may be the only shot I have at getting my Windows 8 laptop to ugrade to the &#34;mandatory&#34; 8.1. Mandatory because some of my ohter Windows apps are starting to not install without it. If you have Windows 7 count yourself lucky.
If you own a mac and intend on installing Windows with Bootcamp, do not buy this! Microsoft offers ZERO customer support when trying to obtain ISO image files for computers without optical drives. Also, if you are using an iMac with a Fusion Drive, you cannot install Windows 8.1 directly. It is IMPOSSIBLE as of this writing. I had to install my old copy of Windows 7 onto my iMac and then upgrade to 8.1 inside windows 7. This was a 24 hour long technical nightmare!
Luckily I was able to boot it using a Linux install disc.People need to do custom setups because otherwise Microsoft is getting what looks like constant updates on everything you do on a Windows box. In the custom setup it at least asks you if you want to send Microsoft your browser history and pretty much everything else and you can say no. It's quite a list of things they request of you - all to help you of course.The tiles thing is a total pain.
Answer: This is a DVD, and works well for the installation on mac.