Bootcamp or Parallels

[pilchards]

Hello,
Please excuse me if I've put this in the wrong place - long time reader, first time poster and couldn't see a 'software' section.

Like many I was a little disappointed about the lack of a new Pro this week. I think I'm going to stay strong and wait. I need to have access to Windows and was hoping that I could get a new Pro to do this on but I'm going to have to wait I think and try this out on my Air 2013 instead that I currently use.

Basically what are the forum thoughts on which is best for running Windows on a Mac and why? I need to install Visual Studio for .Net development (the VS Code for mac is too troublesome to get running the .Net framework). I've obviously got Boot Camp, but the advice seems to be you need 55GB spare to do the install and the best I can manage is about 45GB (planning to partition 30GB for the Windows drive). The other option is Parallels - how much hard disk space would using Parallels take up? And would it do the job of me able to use it to develop (fairly basic) .Net websites?

All advice gratefully taken!

 

[Videomanmac]

Parallels.

 

[Closingracer]

If you had the space Boot Camp but since you don't Parallels

 

[jerryk]

I use Visual Studio in a Parallels Windows 10 VM. I allocated 40 GB of disk. The biggest issue for me is memory. I have 16 GB and allocated 8 to the VM. Still a little pokey on a 2011 13 MBP, 16GB memory 480 GB SSD.

 

[pilchards]

That's great, thanks for the advice everyone Parallels it is then...

 

[poorcody]

Ditto for Parallels. I do Visual Studio coding with it on a MacBook Air (2013) -- works great. I think 40GB should be more than enough (you can resize Parallel VMs as needed too). I only have 8GB RAM on my Air, and allocate 4GB to Windows -- haven't had any problems with that config.

I also like being able to use Windows for Visual Studio and the Mac for everything else (Safari, email, FTP, etc.) I think I am actually more productive that way rather than being stuck in Windows for everything. It also keeps your development environment very "clean" which is good for testing.

 

[argentum47]

Another vote for VM.

Using Virtualbox (it's free and it works) for Visual Studio here. My variable-size virtual disk is sitting at 37 GB after several months of development usage. RAM was never really an issue even on a 8 GB machine.

 

[FTLOSM]

Not trying to be negative but if you buy parallels be prepared anytime Apple updates stuff you will be required to cough up on average $50 for a parallels upgrade to continue using it. I have paid 2x and yet again they want $50 to continue and upgrade parallels to their newest version as they say the current version is now no longer going to work.

Just my 2 cents on the subject, loved parallels and what it did just got tired of the constant 9-12 months nagging fees to upgrade to continue using it, I am certain they don't need to have a new version of parallels everytime apple updates something, but then again they make a ton of money raking the customers every 9-12 months.

https://forum.parallels.com/threads...nt-upgrade-purchase.329497/page-2#post-777755

I am going to check out virtualbox and worst case go back to bootcamp.

 

[jerryk]

Not trying to be negative but if you buy parallels be prepared anytime Apple updates stuff you will be required to cough up on average $50 for a parallels upgrade to continue using it. I have paid 2x and yet again they want $50 to continue and upgrade parallels to their newest version as they say the current version is now no longer going to work.

Just my 2 cents on the subject, loved parallels and what it did just got tired of the constant 9-12 months nagging fees to upgrade to continue using it, I am certain they don't need to have a new version of parallels everytime apple updates something, but then again they make a ton of money raking the customers every 9-12 months.

https://forum.parallels.com/threads...nt-upgrade-purchase.329497/page-2#post-777755

I am going to check out virtualbox and worst case go back to bootcamp.

Parallels is licensed differently now. It is one of those subscription deals. The bad thing is you pay every year. The good thing is you get the updates regardless of what Apple does.