Boot Camp vs. Parallels - Pro and Con

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Level 1

1 points

Boot Camp vs. Parallels - Pro and Con

I have an iMAC 27" (late 2009) and a new MBP 15" with Mountain Lion OS on each. I have some PC based games I would like to play on both computers, so I'm preparing to do so. I've been reading this forum with great interest, trying to soak up some pre-installion tips and troubleshooting suggestions.

My question is this...Which program is best for installing and managing Windows 7 Professional Edition in both computers? Is it Boot Camp or Parallels? Some pros and cons would be helpful.

Great community. Very informative and helpful folks here. Thank you! :-)

Posted on Aug 29, 2012 8:04 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Aug 29, 2012 8:06 AM in response to TheGardener

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-Apple-Bootcamp-and-Parallels

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Answer 2

TheGardener Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 29, 2012 8:25 AM in response to mende1

Great! It seems Boot Camp is the right choice for my purposes.

One more question...

I assume I'll need to install anti-virus software once Windows is installed. I've been using Avast without problems for years. Is it compatable with an installation of this nature, or is there a more compatable anti-virus program? I wouldn't touch Norton with a barge pole.

Thanks again. :-)

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Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Aug 29, 2012 8:29 AM in response to TheGardener

Use Microsoft Security Essentials

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Answer 4

TheGardener Author

Level 1

1 points

Aug 29, 2012 8:33 AM in response to mende1

Thanks. Will do!

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Answer 5

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Aug 29, 2012 9:34 AM in response to TheGardener

You're welcome

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Answer 6

paularae

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2012 8:20 PM in response to TheGardener

I need to know which is better for just running Quickbooks, boot camp or parallels. I run quickbooks on my Mac now but it seems to be a problem for my accountant because she still runs the Windows program. I just want to run a Windows Quickbooks...suggestions?

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Answer 7

magoo657

Level 1

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Jan 12, 2014 12:15 AM in response to paularae

Parallels becasue quickbooks won't be extermely intensive (actually if should just run like word or pages)

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jan 12, 2014 8:10 AM in response to paularae

It will run slower in Parallels than it will in Boot Camp, but it's slow either way. Use Parallels, its much easier.

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Answer 9

magoo657

Level 1

0 points

Jan 12, 2014 2:14 PM in response to Csound1

Not true on my Mac 2.3 i7, 8GB, 2.1 TB, both run great even on select games like, Guild Wars, L4D2, Minecraft, Borderlands, No room in ****, all of which run great in Bootcamp and Parallels.

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