running parallels & crossover

Hi,
I bought Crossover for my MacBook Air (OS X 10.6.2) hoping I could run Quickbooks. It won't run the free trial version of QB, however.

So I downloaded the trial of Parallels, hoping that will work. It looks like I'll need to buy Windows 7 in order to have a windows platform on which to run Quickbooks -- first question, is that right?

Second question, if I install Windows 7, isn't that making my computer susceptible to Windows viruses?

Thanks in advance for your help.

You will need Quickbook for Mac 2009 if you want to avoid Windows from what I understand, however, someone may come along and correct me here!
Running QuickBooks for Windows on Your Mac
As for question 2.... only the Windows partition would be susceptible to viruses.
See http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/switcher-hangout/23835-official-mac-antivirus-firewall-faq.html

Thanks -- that info is helpful. That said, I'm based in the UK and there's not a Windows for Mac UK version. So I'm stuck with windows.

I have a vague understanding about partitions but wouldn't know how to set one up myself. Is that something that Parallels sets up automatically?

This is different to Bootcamp where you'd be creating partitioins.
Here's a good how to:
How do I install Windows XP on my Mac with Parallels Desktop? :: Free Tech Support :: Ask Dave Taylor!

I believe the default is Ctrl-Shift-Left/Right to switch between desktops

Oh, and here's a W7 version of the tutorial.
http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/02/0...ing-parallels-desktop-a-complete-walkthrough/

I use Parallels to run my Accounting and it installs and runs just fine. W7 and Parallels V5 is needed unless you have a full version of XP SP3 then V3 will work just fine as well. A minimum of 3GB is needed to make it run smoothly IMO.

Viruses will come if you surf through Windows, noting as mentioned they are all kept within a virtual HD that Parallels creates (versus the partition method). I do not surf with Windows and the only connection is done with the Vendors who are loaded as programs (Adobe, Microsoft, Norton etc).