Mac Mini and Windows Questions

[whsbuss]

I have a Win7 laptop that I want to retire but I need Windows7 for some legacy software and devices. I already own a MBP 15-in but I don't want to load boot camp and Win7 cause its my mobile device.

So I thought about getting the Mac Mini $549 model with a Samsung 23.6 in monitor, Apple keyboard and magic mouse.

Since it only has a 500GB HD I was wondering what size I should partition boot camp for? My first thought is 200gb for boot camp and the remaining 300gb for OSX.

Any suggestions?

 

[jlluna]

200 for windows should be just fine. If I had a 500gb hard drive that's how I would do it. You could always add another hard drive later to the mini

 

[whsbuss]

200 for windows should be just fine. If I had a 500gb hard drive that's how I would do it. You could always add another hard drive later to the mini

Good point! Most of my work is on my MBP anyway. But having the mini sync'd with my MBP is nice to have.

 

[blanka]

Start with the free Virtual Box software. It has self-growing disk images for Windows, so it is just the size it needs, no space wasted. If Windows becomes too big, just move the disk image to an external. And no reboots like with Bootcamp, or crap issues with accessing your files because Windows cant read HFS and mac cant write NTFS. Under VB all you mac files are accesible in network folders. If you don't like it, then start wondering about bootcamp. For legacy software VB will probably be the best solution

 

[opinio]

I use Parallels. I find it the best way to use Windows.

 

[vistadude]

First of all, a magic mouse works terribly with windows.

I'm trying to save you money, why not just buy a keyboard and monitor for your existing laptop and not have to deal with bootcamp?

I just got this 22" hp display from best buy a couple days ago, it's a great screen for $130 with no bezel. There's also a 23" version for 30 bucks more.

You can get a Logitech k400r keyboard with built in trackpad for $25 from target.


Now if you're looking for a faster computer, a mac mini is a great computer, but you could get a faster PC for less.

I have a Win7 laptop that I want to retire but I need Windows7 for some legacy software and devices. I already own a MBP 15-in but I don't want to load boot camp and Win7 cause its my mobile device.

So I thought about getting the Mac Mini $549 model with a Samsung 23.6 in monitor, Apple keyboard and magic mouse.

Since it only has a 500GB HD I was wondering what size I should partition boot camp for? My first thought is 200gb for boot camp and the remaining 300gb for OSX.

Any suggestions?

 

[blanka]

Now if you're looking for a faster computer, a mac mini is a great computer, but you could get a faster PC for less.

Somehow my virtual Windows installs always outperform a real PC on booting. It may be slower on number munching, but for the feel, I prefer virtualisation.