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Mac Mini running Virtual Windows Machine?

G

gpspad

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2014
698
47
I am new to a lot of this mac mini server stuff so not sure if this is a dumb question.

I have a 2012 i7 I use as my main computer, its always doing something so I can't really don't want to dual boot into windows with it . I also have a spare mini I use as a server, running plex and a bunch of other stuff.

So I have gotten to love logging in remotely to the server and my mac book and was wondering if I could do the same thing with a mini somehow running a VM of windows.

I just don't have the desktop real estate for two monitors. I'd love to just have a separate window on the screen running windows.

Does dual booting windows shut off the OSX functions that allow the remote logins?
 
So can I run parallels on a headless mac mini and use OS X to remote login into it and run windows in it?

That exactly what Im looking for, that gives me a OS X and a windows machine at the same time using one monitor.
 
Hey, can I ask what monitor you are using?

Most of my monitors have at least two input ports (one for, say, HDMI, another for DisplayPort or VGA). In the past, when I've wanted to run two computers with just one monitor, I'd plug each of them into one of the input ports, and then switch between the two by flipping between inputs on the monitor.

Just an idea...
 
Why? If I wanted to run Windows,I could actually go to the computer restoration shop,and buy a working dell laptop for 1/3 the price of a Mac mini or so.
 
Why waste money when you can easily do it on your mac? Hell I use Windows on my mac (as a dual boot) runs smooth ... Apple do support it with drivers, and if it works it works.

I guess each to their own i guess :p
 
MagicHAM said:
Why waste money when you can easily do it on your mac? Hell I use Windows on my mac (as a dual boot) runs smooth ... Apple do support it with drivers, and if it works it works.

I guess each to their own i guess :p
Click to expand...
Maybe because a dell alienware is a lot faster than any apple computer I ever seen. Only use for a windows machine is for fast paced games.
 
Do you own a retail copy of Windows that you want to use? More importantly a product key?

Like mentioned just download VirtualBox and set up a Windows VM. You'll need to familiarize yourself with the software but once you get it setup right you'll be able to do basic Windows task effortlessly.

There are some power limitations you'll run into when using a VM so don't expect to be gaming even at a native Mac Mini windows bootcamp level. But it will work fine for basic stuff, like mention give the VM a decent amount of RAM, CPU and VRAM and I also recommend setting up a "fixed disk" during setup.

In the end it will be like using any other program in OSX.

Screenshot from 2017-04-15 07-59-35.png


All I had was WinXP on this machine but you can imagine if it was something even worse like Win10. :D
 
Lol.... if I want Windows XP,I could probably do some excavations in my garage or the nearest garbage dump,and find a working HP,dell or Lenovo running XP.
 
Stefan johansson said:
Lol.... if I want Windows XP,I could probably do some excavations in my garage or the nearest garbage dump,and find a working HP,dell or Lenovo running XP.
Click to expand...

Ironically this is a Lenovo Thinkpad and I keep Win10 on a dedicated SSD in a SSD caddy in place of the optical drive.

I'm confused though. That was an example of VirtualBox for the OP. Why would I care what you want in someone else's thread? (thats a rhetorical question, I don't care).
 
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