Bootcamp and Parallels setup

[fly4fun]

I'm getting ready to set up my new Mac Pro 8 core. I'll be loading Windows 7 on it. Most of the time I'll use parallels to switch from Mac to Win but sometimes for more intense windows apps I'll use bootcamp to boot into windows directly.

Question: I assume I would use bootcamp to first create a partition (how big??), then load Windows in that partition. Once that is done then I would load parallels. Does that sound correct???

Also is there any suggestions on creating a couple partitions to save files etc...keeping the mac partition just for the OS???

Thank you,

 

[chscag]

The size of your Windows 7 partition will depend on what applications you intend to install. Win 7 x 64 is a space hog and will easily use close to 20 GB without any apps installed. So judge accordingly.

The procedure you listed is correct. First create the BC partition, install Win 7, make sure everything is OK, install Parallels, create the Win 7 VM by using the BC partition as the VM, and you're all set.

No need for any other additional partitions. You can always install more hard drives later on if required.