PDA

View Full Version : MacBook Air (Rev B) + Virtualization




CBX
Nov 3, 2008, 08:14 AM
Just wondering if anyone is running a Rev B and using something like VirtualBox.

Im looking at getting a new laptop and want to get the Air but am concerned that 2GB may not be enough for playing round with virtualization and that I may be better off with the MacBook.

I like the MacBook but still find myself preferring the Air.

If anyone is using this setup I would like to know how they find it, ie could it do with more memory/better processor?

Also tempted by the Rev A Air but put off by the core shutdown threads!



CalMin
Nov 3, 2008, 09:53 AM
Just wondering if anyone is running a Rev B and using something like VirtualBox.

Im looking at getting a new laptop and want to get the Air but am concerned that 2GB may not be enough for playing round with virtualization and that I may be better off with the MacBook.

I like the MacBook but still find myself preferring the Air.

If anyone is using this setup I would like to know how they find it, ie could it do with more memory/better processor?

Also tempted by the Rev A Air but put off by the core shutdown threads!

I used my rev. A with Fusion and it was fine. I used XP, set the VM memory to 512mb, and it was fine for Internet Explorer and Office 2007. I'm in grad school and have done several large assignments this way because Office 2007 (PC) > Office 2008 (Mac)

CBX
Nov 3, 2008, 10:06 AM
How much disc space did you have to allocate for this?

CalMin
Nov 9, 2008, 12:07 PM
How much disc space did you have to allocate for this?

I did not use Boot Camp, but my virtual machine is about 13gb with one snapshot.

fizzwinkus
Nov 10, 2008, 12:11 AM
I've been running a slimmed down copy of xp sp2 on a 2gb imge with parallels. it's been running fine on my first gen 1.8/ssd macbook air. haven't really played with it yet on the new 1.86 macbook air.

Though lately, i've been thinking of trying fusion to see if it taxes the processor as much.

foodcoma
Nov 10, 2008, 03:39 AM
What are the main differences between Fusion and Parallels?

Konacoffee
Nov 10, 2008, 09:46 AM
I just set up my rev 2 MBA with Fusion and Vista Business SP1. No Boot Camp. One core and 1 GB of Ram allocated to the VM. I gave the VM a 25 GB size. So far no problems except for a BSOD with installing two OPTIONAL Microsoft updates. I used a restore point to back out of it after booting to safe mode. My impression is that the speed is okay. I'm planning on using office type programs only. Also some of our secure sites at work need IE 6 to function. I'll get back with further impressions, temps etc.

Loki.Mephisto
Nov 10, 2008, 03:57 PM
What are the main differences between Fusion and Parallels?

Generally, both serve the same purpose and are working well.

I personally prefer Fusion, but thereīs nothing in particular i could give you as reason - itīs just a question of taste.

Maybe thereīs one thing: i feel Fusionīs a bit snappier...

foodcoma
Nov 10, 2008, 06:47 PM
Maybe thereīs one thing: i feel Fusionīs a bit snappier...

Does this perhaps mean that Fusion might be better at managing resources or that it uses less resources, compared to parallels?