Getting a MacBook Pro for college, want windows: VMware, Parallels, or Boot Camp

[nihao1234]

Hi,

I'm ready to upgrade my MacBook 13" late 2006 model to a new 15 inch pro, and realize that, especially in the college environment where many professors demand windows, I should run it somehow.

I've been doing extensive research for the last hour on the best way to run it, however I'm in a complete deadlock. Some people say just do boot camp, but I don't mind paying up to $100 extra if it will really be much smoother. Even when I try to compare the differences between VMware and Parallels (the latest versions of both), I don't see anything hugely significant. Plus, I see just as many complaints about both of them (I'm reading 1-star HORROR STORIES on amazon of each one), and really, really just want a smooth experience.

So, my dear MacRumors friends, I come to you for advice. Which of the three programs do you recommend? Personal anecdotes, feelings, etc...they're all appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[Prospekt]

I just use boot camp. I've never had to have OS X and Windows running at the same time so I wouldn't go waste money buying Parallels, etc. Plus I believe bootcamp runs smoother.

 

[TSX]

When i first bought my mac i thought i would need windows for something, but i didn't. I have yet to find one thing i need windows for, even for school. So go ahead and get your mac and try it first, but if you need windows get it.

 

[celticpride678]

I use Windows 7 in Boot Camp. I have also setup Windows 7 in VMware Fusion and Parallels 4, but neither are as smooth as Boot Camp.

 

[nihao1234]

Thanks for the replies! I appreciate it. Does anyone else have any comments...or is boot camp really the way to go over vmware or parallels?

 

[Airforcekid]

Use virtualbox (free) when you need to run both and set up bootcamp when you just want to run windows both are easy.

 

[Capt Crunch]

I only have VMware, but one indispensable thing for me is the ability to drag and drop files between the virtual machine and my mac. I had a bunch of code on my mac I wanted on windows and all I had to do was drag it from the folder on my desktop over to the desktop of the virtual machine. It automatically copied. It seems like it would be a much larger pain in the ass to do that in boot camp.