Scopey56

Q: Parallels

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)

Posted on Nov 15, 2014 6:24 AM

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Q: Parallels

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  • by Lexiepex,Helpful

    Lexiepex Lexiepex Nov 15, 2014 6:37 AM in response to Scopey56
    Level 6 (10,492 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 15, 2014 6:37 AM in response to Scopey56

    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.

  • by tbirdvet,Helpful

    tbirdvet tbirdvet Nov 15, 2014 6:47 AM in response to Scopey56
    Level 4 (3,008 points)
    Nov 15, 2014 6:47 AM in response to Scopey56

    I have used both but prefer Parallels because I can switch back and forth and do not have to reboot to use Windows.

  • by Scopey56,

    Scopey56 Scopey56 Nov 15, 2014 6:58 AM in response to Lexiepex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 15, 2014 6:58 AM in response to Lexiepex

    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?

  • by Lexiepex,Solvedanswer

    Lexiepex Lexiepex Nov 15, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Scopey56
    Level 6 (10,492 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 15, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Scopey56

    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

  • by Scopey56,

    Scopey56 Scopey56 Nov 15, 2014 7:15 AM in response to Lexiepex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 15, 2014 7:15 AM in response to Lexiepex

    Brilliant! Just exactly the info we were after. Parallels it is!!