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Best way to run Windows?

G

gustavobrust

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 19, 2011
9
0
Hey guys,

I just bought an iMac i7 27', and I plan to play some games on it on Windows.

I realize the best way to run Windows for games is bootcamp, right?

But, sometimes, while on OSX, I would need to access that exact same Windows, save changes, and when booting on Windows again, have all the stuff there. So I can't use a Virtual Disk with VMWare, right?

What is the best virtualization app that enables me to run and modify the real Windows partition from inside the OSX?

Thank you all in advance!
 
VMWare fusion will allow you to virtualise your bootcamp partition, not sure if parallels can do this.
 
You can install Windows via Bootcamp and boot natively for games

You can access your Bootcamp install of Windows with Parallels or Fusion and run that same install virtually whenever you want
 
For games, your best bet is to go with Boot Camp. If the file can be read by Mac OS X, you can open it and modify it. Then, the changes are accessible via Windows.
 
Parallels or Fusion?

Thanks guys!

I've seen a video of a guy on his iMac creating the virtual Machine on VMWare, using a Windows partition (installed with bootcamp) and as far as I can remember VMWare asks "Where to put the files of the virtual disk?". What are those files for anyway, if VmWare is going to use the partition directly to save data?

Another question: what do you recommend? Parallels or VmWare Fusion? It's about the same price, so any inputs on this would be very appreciated. :rolleyes:
 
Gaming

ngenerator said:
Question: would gaming be the only reason to install Windows? I asked in the stickied thread up top and got no answer. Thx!
Click to expand...

For me, yes.

There are, of course, windows-only apps that I may use eventually, but 99% of the use will be for games. :apple:
 
Bootcamp would be best for gaming. If you want, download the latest drivers for windows before you start gaming. You'll see a great improvement in fps with those updated drivers :)
 
if you're going to do some gaming check out Steam for OS X. If you have already purchased the game for Windows and there's an OS X version you don't have to buy it again. Worth checking out...
http://www.steampowered.com
 
chris98vf said:
if you're going to do some gaming check out Steam for OS X. If you have already purchased the game for Windows and there's an OS X version you don't have to buy it again. Worth checking out...
http://www.steampowered.com
Click to expand...

Nice! I was not aware of that! There are some good games like Civilization and Football Manager, among others!

Hope one day all the games release simultaneously for PC and MAC. :apple:

Thanks for the advice! ;)
 
I have heard that because parallels and fusion run the Windows inside OSX, you are taxing your system with two OS's. You may get better performance in Boot Camp.
 
I run Windows 7 exclusively on my MBP through boot camp. It is the best way to run windows.
 
No, there's lots of software that only runs on windows, or runs much better in windows. It's an OS with much more software and hardware support so you're going to find lots of things to do. Windows also includes paint, which is priceless :D

ngenerator said:
Question: would gaming be the only reason to install Windows? I asked in the stickied thread up top and got no answer. Thx!
Click to expand...
 
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