instead of using boot camp to install a copy of native Windows, I’m looking into use VirtualBox to install a free copy of Windows. Any pros and cons for this? I won’t be doing extensive work with Windows, is this a better approach for a casual Windows user with a MBP?
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Installing Windows with VirtualBox
- Thread starter kevjen888
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The major upswing on this, is that you're running windows inside of macOS. If you only need to run some apps that don't push the hardware, then it makes sense. If you're looking to run windows and have direct access to hardware, say to run games then bootcamp is better
I do this. I keep a copy of Windows 10 installed for "just in case" situations (eg. worked for a company where their HR self-service apps only worked in Internet Explorer), but these days, pretty much not needed as most things are mobile and Mac friendly, or, Mac world has evolved to have a robust amount of programs.
VB is slow when compared to Parallels and VMware (my favorite of the pay virtualization apps), kinda clunky on how some things are done, but, works and the price is right.
To save disk space on the Mac (since as mentioned, the VM is gathering virtual dust), I keep the VM and a copy on two external drives (just in case one goes). Slows down VB even more, but again, only bringing it up every other month to do software updates.
VB is slow when compared to Parallels and VMware (my favorite of the pay virtualization apps), kinda clunky on how some things are done, but, works and the price is right.
To save disk space on the Mac (since as mentioned, the VM is gathering virtual dust), I keep the VM and a copy on two external drives (just in case one goes). Slows down VB even more, but again, only bringing it up every other month to do software updates.
I have Windows 10 installed on VirtualBox on my new 2018 MBP. I use it for pentesting and forensics and it works very well for me. I am amazed how gestures can improve my productivity while using virtual machines. With VM I create different snapshots and restore them if the system fails with some changes.
At the moment, I will install Windows with Bootcamp if I only need to play games.
I have also this external drive to host my virtual machines. It works amazing.
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Yes, straight forward. VB has a wizard that steps you through it. All the virtualization packages do. Basically, the wizards have you specify memory, virtual disk size, cores to allocate, then point to install media, and go. After which, boot the vm and install the vm tools (keyboard short cuts, host file access, drag/drop, copy/paste).
I think there might be one problem with the VM approach. If you need 100% of your mac's performance, it is better to run windows separately from MacOS. As you will see in the VM setup you'll have to dedicate some system resources to MacOS and some to windows. Thereby both systems take significant performance a hit.
You mean like what I said in post #2
Oh. Sorry, man. I really did not see that part.
EDIT: just so you know, this is not sarcasm. I just often skip details
No worries, but it does help everyone involved to read the entire post
. I've done it myself, so its no big deal