I'd like to install Windows 8.1 on my 2009 Macbook Pro (upgraded to Mavericks, 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB memory) via parallels (NOT bootcamp) to use Windows specific research/statistics software. Should I install the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows?
MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)
Why would you want to use a 32 bit os on a 64 bit computer? 64 bit Windows can run 32 bit programs. 32 bit Windows can only address/use about 3.5 GB of your ram. If you have more ram to allocate to Windows you must use 64 bit.
Why don't you look on the Parallels site to see what they suggest?
What do you want to do on your Windows environment? There are some older Windows programs which, the last I heard, have some minor issues running on 64-Bit Windows OS. IF the programs you want to use, fall into that category, then you may want to consider a 32-Bit VM. On my Late 2011 MBP, I have a 32 Bit Windows 7 VM, and a 64 Bit Windows 7 VM. I choose which VM to use depending upon what I want to do. The one program that is so old that it doesn't like the 64 Bit OS, is run on the 32 Bit VM.
32 or 64 bit version of Windows 8.1 on 2009 Macbook Pro using Parallels (NOT bootcamp)
