Just purchased iMac - which is best for running Windows, Bootcamp or Parallels software?
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)
They are different:
Bootcamp (free) comes as part of OSX: after install you start either in Windows or start in OSX.
Parallels (paid) makes a virtual disk with Windows on it, and makes it possible to run Windows and OSX at the same time. This is also much easier when you share information on both systems.
I have used both but prefer Parallels because I can switch back and forth and do not have to reboot to use Windows.
Many thanks for your post - Parallels would seem to be the way to go but wondered if there are any issues such as speed problems etc?
I used to have both, but lately I don't use Bootcamp any more, because of the bootcamp partition size (around 100GB), and for practical reasons as tbirdvet said. Aside from the bootcamp reboot hamper I don't see any difference in speed.
There are other alternatives: VMware Fusion (same price as Parallels Desktop), and Virtualbox (open source software, free):
I prefer Parallels: updates come at the same time when upgrades for OSX become available. Virtualbox has less features.
I used to test all three regularly in earlier days, after that I stayed with Parallels.
Lex
Brilliant! Just exactly the info we were after. Parallels it is!!
Parallels
