Ok, so here is one more newbie question though I've done extensive research on this (and found a partial solution thanks to the good people in this forum):
I occasionally need to copy finalized audio CDs (my own content and copyrights) and ftp them to folks that have Windows PCs as images for re-burning on their end (need to be 100% and exactly the same).
I've found a few options to do this by creating bin/cue pairs and ftp those. We've tested it and it works. However, there are quite a few steps involved - and I'd have to buy licenses for one or maybe two Mac specific programs (Toast and Virtual CDRW).
Long story short: in an ideal world I'd still generate a Nero .nrg file. Can't do that natively on a Mac. Of course there are still PCs in the house so I can do this any time. But I'm still wondering what alternatives I may have - especially given that the Windows machines may eventually be replaced with Macs.
So I see two options and would like to get your input on pros and cons - especially what kind of resources these may eat when not in use.
1. Install an existing XP license that I own in Virtualbox and run Nero in that. It needs to be able to access my Superdrive. I'd add my Windows Office suite to that as well for the occasional thing to test. I'd want to use as little space for that on my main drive (256 SSD) as possible. When virtualbox is not running it's not eating resources other than the size of the respective folder assigned, right? (this would be cost effective since I don't need to buy anything)
2. Buy Win 7 and Parallels and maybe use it for a few other things as well. Better integration of MS Office and I could use it like a "regular" program if I understand it right. What I don't know is if Parallels eats any resources and if it can be turned off (e.g. when working in Photoshop or Logic/ProTools, etc)
I occasionally need to copy finalized audio CDs (my own content and copyrights) and ftp them to folks that have Windows PCs as images for re-burning on their end (need to be 100% and exactly the same).
I've found a few options to do this by creating bin/cue pairs and ftp those. We've tested it and it works. However, there are quite a few steps involved - and I'd have to buy licenses for one or maybe two Mac specific programs (Toast and Virtual CDRW).
Long story short: in an ideal world I'd still generate a Nero .nrg file. Can't do that natively on a Mac. Of course there are still PCs in the house so I can do this any time. But I'm still wondering what alternatives I may have - especially given that the Windows machines may eventually be replaced with Macs.
So I see two options and would like to get your input on pros and cons - especially what kind of resources these may eat when not in use.
1. Install an existing XP license that I own in Virtualbox and run Nero in that. It needs to be able to access my Superdrive. I'd add my Windows Office suite to that as well for the occasional thing to test. I'd want to use as little space for that on my main drive (256 SSD) as possible. When virtualbox is not running it's not eating resources other than the size of the respective folder assigned, right? (this would be cost effective since I don't need to buy anything)
2. Buy Win 7 and Parallels and maybe use it for a few other things as well. Better integration of MS Office and I could use it like a "regular" program if I understand it right. What I don't know is if Parallels eats any resources and if it can be turned off (e.g. when working in Photoshop or Logic/ProTools, etc)