18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Running Windows on Mac

by Desmond Ong
15 replies
Hey guys,

I am using Mac right now and I am planning to install Windows on my Mac (which I used to do IM stuff).

Now, I don't know which one to use. Parallels? Bootcamp? VM Ware?

Any recommendation?

Also should I install Windows 7 or Windows XP?
#mac #running #windows
  • Profile picture of the author dlucca
    I run XP on VMFusion. It is stable and works.
    ... of course, it isn't OSX :-)
    good luck,
    Dave
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1709636].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Desmond Ong
    yeah im using snow leopard. hmm
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1709726].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IainBuchanan
    Hey Desmond,

    I'm using Windows 7 on VMWare, is stable and does exactly what it needs to.

    If you need to be able to use Windows using all the resources of your computer, go down the BootCamp route. Virtualising on VMWare, Parallels or VirtualBox will naturally be slower than running natively via BootCamp as virtualising means you also have to have OS X running.

    However using BootCamp means that you have to shutdown and boot into Windows to use it, so there's an inconvenience there.

    If you need the power, it's BootCamp, if you need convenience, it's virtualised. I know people using VMWare (as I do), as well as VirtualBox and Parallels.... All will do the job - VMWare and Parallels offer more features (and professional support), whereas VirtualBox is free.

    Whatever route you go down you should find things work though. :-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1709748].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Desmond Ong
    Hey Iain,

    Thanks for the tip.

    Let's say I use VM Ware and if I am not running Windows, will it also slow down my computer? Or only when Windows is running?

    I'm running on a 4GB RAM and 2.6 sumtin Ghz (sorry I don't really know computers LOL)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1709797].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author remotedb
      Originally Posted by Desmond Ong View Post

      Hey Iain,

      Thanks for the tip.

      Let's say I use VM Ware and if I am not running Windows, will it also slow down my computer? Or only when Windows is running?

      I'm running on a 4GB RAM and 2.6 sumtin Ghz (sorry I don't really know computers LOL)
      It will only slow it when you are running something in the VM ware, merely installing it and even loading it won't have a discernable impact.
      Signature
      TwEmpire -Build an empire of Twitter followers on autopilot FAST!! Phase I Beta Test Coming Soon!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1709848].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author richieu
        VMware Fusion is cool, but personally I prefer Parallels. They're both good, but I think it just comes down to experience using one over the other.

        I use quite a lot of Windows only IM apps under WindowsXP on Parallels and have yet to have any problems...

        ATB
        Rich
        Signature
        NetBizKid | FREE Website Traffic

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1711630].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ramccluskey
    I am a Mac user but need Windows occasionally. I use Parallels because of its very close integration with OS X. For example:
    • Coherence Mode -- Run Windows and Mac apps side-by-side as if both operating systems have melted together into one.
    • Window Mode -- Choose to run your Virtual Machine as a separate window alongside your Mac apps.
    I can run Windows in a separate window, or separate windows programs in different space, running Mac programs at the same time. I can put a shortcut to a windows program on my desktop or in my task bar and start it right from OS X. Parallels will start the virtual windows machine and run the program. I can choose to work right from the Mac desktop or from the Windows desktop or both. I can access my OS X files from Windows and drag and drop back and forth. I like it!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1716214].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
    Paralells is rubbish atm - it's slow and freezes up. VMWare Fusion is MUCH better, I'm using this atm.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1760223].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Negotiator74
    I have run Parallels since it came out and have never had a problem. Works great for me!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1761283].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Danny Keegan
    Another vote for VMware, I've used it with OSX snow leopard to run XP and currently windows 7 with no problems to date.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1761306].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author richieu
      I've used both and have never had a problem with either to be honest, so whatever you choose will be a good solution for you.

      If you don't want tight OSX integration then I would suggest you start by looking at the free VirtualBox, as it's really quite sophisticated these days?

      ATB
      Rich
      Signature
      NetBizKid | FREE Website Traffic

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1762233].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
    I run Windows XP Pro on my Mac Book Pro through VM Ware.

    Since my mac doesn't have the highest memory available of all macs, it tends to run
    more like a PC all around when I am running windows simultaneously with the Mac OS.

    When I get my new Mac Book Pro, I will make sure it has enough memory to
    handle VM Ware and not get bogged down when I run windows (which is all the time).

    And that's what I would recommend to you, Desmond. Get a Mac with enough juice
    to handle Windows.

    Jason
    Signature

    "Human thoughts have the tendency to transform themselves into their physical equivalent." Earl Nightingale

    Super Affiliates Hang Out Here

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1762608].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author garyk1968
    I use VMWare, I used to use parallels and tbh they're pretty much of a muchness.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1775612].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author willyboy104
    Hey Desmond.

    I recently bought the new 27" iMac and using bootcamp installed windows 7 however it had some problems with the new mouse and keyboard that Apple provides you with however that has been fixed now with a new driver update available online.

    I would suggest bootcamping windows 7 since you have 4gb ram and XP only recognises 2gb unless you put a little line of coding in to one of the documents.

    However as someone else mentioned to use windows 7 through bootcamp you would have to restart your computer but it will mean all your system resources will be used on windows 7 and not just a few of them divided between snow leopard and w7.

    Your choice bud.
    Signature
    If you want to learn how to make money online, no bullshit click here.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1775849].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pearsonbrown
    By the time you've bought the software and the copy of Windows to install (even on ebay), doesn't it make more sense just to buy a cheap netbook with Windows 7 on it?

    Pearson
    Signature
    http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com

    http://www.effective-public-speaking.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1776891].message }}

Trending Topics