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robertssm

Q: Is there a downside to creating a windows partition on macbook pro? My gut says run away!

I switched to macbook pro to get away from windows as much as possible; I have no idea why any business is still running windows. Unfortunately I have hardware that is "windows only" and I am debating setting up my macbook to be able to run it; hence my question. Any advice is welcome, as I stated, my gut says RUN and simply operate a second computer (cheap windows version) when I need to work with the hardware.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

Posted on Aug 29, 2016 11:13 AM

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Q: Is there a downside to creating a windows partition on macbook pro? My gut says run away!

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  • by Allan Eckert,Apple recommended

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Sep 12, 2016 5:30 PM in response to robertssm
    Level 9 (53,491 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 12, 2016 5:30 PM in response to robertssm

    Instead of create a Boot Camp Partition for Windows, it is possible to run Windows in a virtual environment using software such as Parallels Desktop.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Aug 29, 2016 11:19 AM in response to robertssm
    Level 7 (27,012 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 29, 2016 11:19 AM in response to robertssm

    No real downside, other than it will take up space on your hard drive. Anything that happens on Windows is confined to Windows. It cannot affect the Mac side in any way.

     

    With that said, what type of hardware are we talking about that is Windows only?  I'm pretty sure Mac can setup any hardware you throw at it, unless its something extremely specific. That requires some very specific windows only drivers or software.

  • by think.different,Apple recommended

    think.different think.different Sep 12, 2016 5:30 PM in response to robertssm
    Level 3 (722 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 12, 2016 5:30 PM in response to robertssm

    There is really no downside as long as you are careful with regards to virus/malware on the PC side. I run windows via Parallels and have no AV running as I only the websites and never browse the internet/receive emails – so there is very little change of anything getting through. So if you only us the PC when you need access to said hardware, and do all other internet related tasks via the mac side, you should be fine.

     

    What are your concerns?

  • by BobTheFisherman,

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Aug 29, 2016 5:44 PM in response to robertssm
    Level 6 (15,279 points)
    Aug 29, 2016 5:44 PM in response to robertssm

    I've been running Boot Camped Windows for years without any incident. Computer runs well with either OSX or Windows booted.

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Aug 30, 2016 8:24 AM in response to robertssm
    Level 7 (28,411 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 30, 2016 8:24 AM in response to robertssm

    I second Allan Eckert if you don't need to get 3d power from the video card to play 3d games then running windows in a virtual machine is much much less hassle,

    these days more and more windows users really do the same when they just connect to a windows terminal server or citrix system that is just across the network so an added remote desktop to the mix

  • by robertssm,

    robertssm robertssm Sep 12, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Windows Software
    Sep 12, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    I looked at parallels per your advice; most of their charges seem to be annual or annually based for parts of it. I have a computer supplied by my school that is windows, just wanted something to make it easier when working from home. Thank you though.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Sep 13, 2016 9:26 AM in response to robertssm
    Level 7 (27,012 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 13, 2016 9:26 AM in response to robertssm

    Try Virtualbox instead, its free.   Though you will need a valid Windows License and installer from Microsoft.

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Sep 14, 2016 1:12 PM in response to robertssm
    Level 5 (7,196 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 14, 2016 1:12 PM in response to robertssm

    I'm a little surprised apple recommend you use someone elses software instead of theirs. Not very comforting.

     

    Otherwise the partition itself is media formatted to run Windows, it's as safe or as unsafe as windows but it's limited to that partition, so while a virus could erase the partition it will have no effect on your OS X partitions and Journaled format drives unless you use some 3rd party app to make them readable by Windows and the nature of the virus would one deleting ALL the connected media, otherwise it would not be able to infect Mac OS X.

     

    Unless you are booting to windows you could be virtualizing Mac OS and Windows at the same time which splits up CPU, GPU, and RAM so on some systems you are just running everything slower, I prefer the Bootcamp and I have for years but its a personal choice, i work in 3D heavy 2D and games so virtualizing is like molasses uphill in the cold for that need. I've had no real problems with Bootcamp in a decade.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 14, 2016 1:10 PM in response to robertssm
    Level 7 (23,663 points)
    Safari
    Sep 14, 2016 1:10 PM in response to robertssm

    robertssm wrote:

     

    I switched to macbook pro to get away from windows as much as possible; I have no idea why any business is still running windows. Unfortunately I have hardware that is "windows only"

    Did you just answer your question?

     

    my gut says RUN and simply operate a second computer (cheap windows version) when I need to work with the hardware.

    This is the better solution.