06-16-2006, 06:24 PM

i need to be able to install PC programs on my Mac for work. what are the main differences between these two programs? and how easy are they to work. i am no computer guru and my tech guy here isnt too Mac profficient so i need something that doesnt give me too much grief.

also, with Parallels Workstation will i be able to run PC games just like if i was on a PC?

thank-you

-adam

06-16-2006, 06:44 PM

parallel is an emulator so it is going to be relatively slow compared to anything else.

boot camp allows you to boot into windows or to os x. starting up in xp will be faster than emulating xp in os x, but if you need to do something like run a small math program or something like that parallel will be fine for you. if you want to play games, bootcamp is going to be a whole heck of a lot better
-chris

06-16-2006, 06:44 PM

You can read this article.

06-16-2006, 06:47 PM

This review will tell you about Parallel's and how it compairs to Boot Camp performance wise.

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2740&p=12

06-16-2006, 09:33 PM

All Windows questions belong in the Windows forum.

I will move this there.

06-18-2006, 07:06 PM

can I use Boot Camp and Parallels Workstation on the same HDD? I want to be able to run windows fast but at the same time I want to be able to switch back and forth when I need to without restarting. Is this possible to do? I know that if I run Parallels it will only have to be done on the Mac OSX partition and not the windows.

06-19-2006, 10:53 AM

Running Parallels is just like any other app. It just saves the installed OS as just one big file. Partitioning within the virtual machine has no affect on your computer, just how big your virtual drives are.

06-20-2006, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by DeathToPCs

I want to be able to run windows fast but at the same time I want to be able to switch back and forth when I need to without restarting. Is this possible to do?

no, you can't. you can run windows at full speed with boot camp or you can switch back and forth quickly with parallels. either way you go you have to compromise.

06-20-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by DeathToPCs

can I use Boot Camp and Parallels Workstation on the same HDD? I want to be able to run windows fast but at the same time I want to be able to switch back and forth when I need to without restarting.

Don't we all? That's part of the race. You won't be able to run Windows that fast unless you max out RAM, and even still it's not fast enough to game. Just use Boot Camp.

06-23-2006, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by dohidied

no, you can't. you can run windows at full speed with boot camp or you can switch back and forth quickly with parallels. either way you go you have to compromise.

so your saying bootcamp has a 1:1 speed ratio to that of a PC. but you cant switch back and fourth between OS's. on the other hand with parallels you CAN switch back and fourth between OS's but it doesnt run as fast.

question: compared to your normal computer speed. what is the realistic speed when using parallels to run windows? (ex: 75% slower)

06-25-2006, 04:48 PM

honestly, if you're not using any SUPER intensive programs, parallels is fine.

Or, you could go the FREE way and run more graphically challenging programs, while waiting a total of about two minutes for windows to load.

why do people care about switching between the OSes? neither take more than two minutes or so to load.

06-26-2006, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by BlindingLights

honestly, if you're not using any SUPER intensive
why do people care about switching between the OSes? neither take more than two minutes or so to load.

Convenience? I use Parallels extensively running SuSE Linux 10.0 and XP. I don't find it any slower for the Apps I use than normal windows or Linux running on a PC. I do have 2GB of RAM though and I do not game. If you are going to use Parallels alot max out your RAM.

04-30-2007, 03:12 PM

I already have parallel installed and it works fine with windows xp but can I install boot camp in addition and if so what will I see when I boot up and other operations I will have to do

04-30-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by coach_z

parallel is an emulator so it is going to be relatively slow compared to anything else.

I wish people would stop posting this as it is incorrect and perpetuates a pretty unfair myth. For most tasks, Parallels is almost as fast as a native PC with similar hardware - occasionally EVEN FASTER!

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2740&p=14

To be precise, Parallels can use one core of your CoreDuo, but for 99% of things, so so can Windows XP so little or no difference is seen. Please actually do some research before posting things like this that may affect someone's decision.


The only thing that is emulated is DirectDraw - so in theory graphics are slower and DX8 or DX9 games are not possible (or very slow). Spreadsheet work, browsing or even Photoshop work is just about as fast or even faster. CS2 under parallels will be quicker than under OS X, as Parallels beats Rosetta hands down and even beats some native PCs.

I use SuSE and XP under Parallels and both run quicker than under my previous hardware (AMD64 1.8ghz. so no slouch).

04-30-2007, 04:44 PM

Zoolook speaks the truth, Parallels is more than fast enough for non-graphics intensive applications and it is most definitely not an emulator. Another advantage is the ability to suspend the VM - I have my Win2K machine ready and waiting with virtually no startup-time, just a few seconds.

Unless you're gaming, and assuming you max out the RAM, BootCamp has no advantage over Parallels for day-to-day apps.