Parallels' VM and Boot Camp

TOSmoke · Apr 22nd, 2006, 11:32 AM

OK. I've seen a few posts on the subject but wanted to get user opinions, usage environments (where you use BC and VM) and overal likes and dislikes of each.
Currently I'm testing both solutions. I have used Boot Camp to install WinXP Home on my Intel iMac 17", and have Parallels' VM 2.1 Beta 4 (finally got it to find the CD/DVD drive) on my MBPro.

The iMac is a stock config, and the MBPro is a 1.8Ghz, 1 Gb RAM (two 512), with stock configs for the rest of the specs.

I have to say that both solutions run quite well under each environment. I chose to Boot Camp the iMac just because of the added space I have (an external 300mb FW HD), and using Parallels' VM on the MBPro to save space. One thing I have to say, I am really impressed with the Beta release of this product. An added bonus for me is that I can have both environments active while mobile (for certain applications I would need to use in WinXP).

The full install on the iMac is beneficial because I don't need to switch on the fly like I would when I'm mobile. Both run very smoothly, with little to no glitching in any situation. Mind you, both have only been installed for a little under a week now, but I've been trying to simulate as much "normal" usage as possible (so pretty much over used), and everything has performed as expected, actually better than expected (I don't have much faith in XP or these evolutionary steps towards virtualization in VM's case).

Office runs without any problems or speed concerns. Windows Media 10 is smooth (playing from files and streams). Couldn't get my copy of DVD X Copy up and running on the MBPro and haven't attempted to load it on the iMac, yet.
Overall, I'm satisfied with both options and think I'll keep them like this for now.
Great potential for an all-around machine for all day to day situations for both OSes. I can easily see how this would help some PC users to at least think about switching...laptop or desktop. Hell, my brother-in-law who is a strict MS fan has thought about selling his HP laptop for the new 17" MBPro when it comes out...all the power to him!

I'd like to read other users experiences with either, and great if you've tried both and can compare with hands on experience. And if anyone has any questions for me...go right ahead. :-)

vimy · Apr 22nd, 2006, 03:56 PM

Thanks for one of the most usefull threads ive ever read. Im about to get a macbook so any more of your usage feedback is so very welcomed on these two mac/xp solutions.

madgunde · Apr 22nd, 2006, 04:07 PM

One thing to keep in mind, make sure you have antivirus installed and a good spyware remover or anti-spyware app. I had only used Windows XP for about 2-3 hours under parallels, fully patched and with up to date antivirus when something I had downloaded unleashed a spyware bomb on my XP install. Ad-aware found over 50 critical security infections.

Man, I just don't know how Windows sufferers put up with this on a day to day basis at home. I use Windows at work, but my company spends millions a year to keep stuff working smoothly (and there are still the occasional outbreaks), something home users don't have the luxury of having.

Rule of thumb: If you can do it in Mac OS X, you're much better off.

wenxue · Apr 23rd, 2006, 02:29 AM

I have both installed on my iMac 20 with 2GB RAM.

For Parallels, I assigned 512MB of memory and the performance is very good. I run MSN Messenger, Office, IE (to check website compatibility), Bitcomet, a few work related programs and Windows Media Player (for DRM materials). The Internet connection runs at full speed. Sound is very good. Video is watchable. Make sure you install the Parallels tools after you install XP. It includes the invaluable mouse and video driver that make the experience much more enjoyable. The only downside I can think of, apart from the obvious limitations of a virtualized solution, is the lack of USB and Firewire capability. The developers at parallels had said that this would be a must have feature in the final release. So I am not really worried about it. Overall, fantastic quality for a product still in beta stage. I can't wait for the final version to come along. It raises my productivity to a whole new level.

I am actually typing this on XP through Boot Camp. I am downloading Day of Defeat on Steam.

Boot Camp will be used for gaming exclusively on my machine. Everything else is fast enough for me in Parallels. There is still some driver issue with under XP. My wireless would drop profusely from time to time. But at least the system seems solid. Make sure you disable the USB Camera in Control Panel -> Systyem -> Hardwares or your MSN Messenger will most likey blue screen you.

Having to restart to use Windows can be annoying especially when you are working. That's why I use parallels to do everything other than gaming. Even Copy+Paste works two ways between the guest and host OS.