MacBook pro 13 dual boot questions

[yusukeaoki]

What's the difference between the old version parallels and the parallels 8 version? I have a late 2011 MacBook pro 13, and planning to run windows 7, which would I need?

Just go to their website and read the difference.
Even though I prefer VMware, Parallel should do the job for you.

Either would run fine but 8 has new features compared to the old ones.

And for OS, if you are running on Bootcamp, only Windows 7 (any kind).
If VM/Parallel, any windows OS.

 

[Tinoiztino]

Ok, so it's more of a features difference rather a requirements/OS difference.

Also my Mbp has te 500gb hdd, what is a good size partition for windows? I know it's gonna depend on how much I need, but I want to have a good size for both OS's without any performance problems. Or risk running out of space on either side

 

[yusukeaoki]

Ok, so it's more of a features difference rather a requirements/OS difference.

Also my Mbp has te 500gb hdd, what is a good size partition for windows? I know it's gonna depend on how much I need, but I want to have a good size for both OS's without any performance problems. Or risk running out of space on either side

You always want 20GB of open space on Mac OS.
You can change your partition anytime via settings.

 

[Tinoiztino]

I can change without having to re-do the whole process?

 

[duggram]

...what is a good size partition for windows?

On my Fusion Win7 VM I have 40GB allocated. Which is probably too much because I keep all of my data files on my Mac OS share which can be accessed from either OS.

 

[yusukeaoki]

I can change without having to re-do the whole process?

No, but only with VM/Parallel.
Bootcamp you have to delete everything.

Heres a screenshot of VMware's setting for space.

 

[Tinoiztino]

Ok. Sorry for the newb questions lol. Just trying to get the scoops before i start spending some money.

 

[Tinoiztino]

I may have found an alternative but need some more info on it from you pros out there .
So my other half has a old dell laptop running vista, am I able to clone the hard drive/OS and run it on my MacBook using VM Fusion?
- if I can, will I be able to run the clone on my Mac and her still be able to use that old laptop?
- running a clone can I buy the windows 7 upgrade and upgrade the vista to 7 on my Mac?
- if that dell laptop has problems (running slow, or anything else like viruses or anything) will that port onto my Mac as well? Or will it run a little better being my Mac has better hardware, more hdd space & ram etc?

I like the convenience of it being on one laptop rather then having 2 different laptops. If I can do this I would like to save the money. But if its far better to just do what I had planned before (buy windows 7 retail) then I will stick to that. Thanks in advanced. if its not even possible then thanks for the help.

 

[GermanyChris]

I may have found an alternative but need some more info on it from you pros out there .
So my other half has a old dell laptop running vista, am I able to clone the hard drive/OS and run it on my MacBook using VM Fusion?
- if I can, will I be able to run the clone on my Mac and her still be able to use that old laptop?
- running a clone can I buy the windows 7 upgrade and upgrade the vista to 7 on my Mac?
- if that dell laptop has problems (running slow, or anything else like viruses or anything) will that port onto my Mac as well? Or will it run a little better being my Mac has better hardware, more hdd space & ram etc?

I like the convenience of it being on one laptop rather then having 2 different laptops. If I can do this I would like to save the money. But if its far better to just do what I had planned before (buy windows 7 retail) then I will stick to that. Thanks in advanced. if its not even possible then thanks for the help.

Windows licenses particularly OEM licenses are tied to the motherboard. You could probably get MS to let you transfer the license to the virtual on the Mac but you'll loose the other laptop in the process.

Why not install Linux and see if you can get your xbox software working with WINE or http://www.playonlinux.com/en/.

 

[Tinoiztino]

If I have xp installed via vm fusion/parallels, am I able to upgrade to windows 7 using the upgrade disc?

 

[Tinoiztino]

After tinkering with an old XP OS, got tired of it and bought windows 7, thanks for all the help guys. It runs awesome on the Mac. Love the touchpad and its Mac personalities haha