Parallels vs. Bootcamp?

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Level 1

8 points

Parallels vs. Bootcamp?

I've been using Parallels for QuickBook and Quicken to ensure continuity for my biz and personal finances since I got my Mac about 5-6 years ago. It's a pain - especially for my bookkeeper, who comes 2 X/month. I am considering getting a small, cheap windows machine just for her, (and when I need to do invoices or check my investments).

What do you think of that vs. switching to Bootcamp, which I just heard about? Problems are that Parallels runs really slowly, has been hard to back up, (tho I think I'm OK now), something seems to be problematic 50% of the time. Just generally irritating. Opinions? Thx so much.

VIN,iMac (27-inch Late 2009), iOS 9.3.4

Posted on Aug 17, 2016 3:22 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 17, 2016 4:28 PM in response to marthaapple

Running Windows using Boot Camp allows Windows to perform better than running Windows in Parallels because Windows is using all your computer's resources. When running in Parallels Windows is sharing your computer's resources with OSX. So going to Boot Camp will result in Windows and programs performing better.

If you are experiencing problems with Windows in Parallels 50% of the time you likely have something misconfigured or there is something wrong with your installed programs.

That said, in a professional environment I would eliminate all potential issues by getting a cheap Windows computer to run my Windows only programs. This would allow me to continue working on my Apple computer while someone else is using Windows programs. It would also allow easy to maintain separate backups for both systems.

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Answer 2

Aug 17, 2016 4:28 PM in response to marthaapple

The question then becomes how do you have Parallels setup to run Windows?

What Windows Version are you running?

How much RAM is assigned to it?

How much disk space?

A 5 year old mach should be able to handle Windows on Parallels just fine.

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Answer 3

marthaapple Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 17, 2016 4:30 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

I do have a Macbook air that I can use while my bookkeeper uses my Mac, but I am inclined to separate them - thanks!

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Answer 4

marthaapple Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 17, 2016 4:37 PM in response to Phil0124

I'm still on Windows 7 and Yosemite. 2.8 GHz processor. 12 GB memory. Not sure how to tell how much RAM is assigned to it. On my HD, I have 607 GB free out of 999 GB.

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Answer 5

Aug 17, 2016 4:56 PM in response to marthaapple

To see how much RAM is assigned to the virtual Windows machine you can open the VM's Configuration Window.

Under Hardware->CPU & Memory there's a slider to can adjust to give the VM more or less RAM.

For Windows 7, 4GB should do fine. 6GB would be better.

http://kb.parallels.com/en/117287

http://kb.parallels.com/en/113649

You don't want to give the VM more than 50% of your total RAM if only so OS X is not affected itself due to lack of RAM.

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