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Parallels - 1.2gHz, Windows 7 64-bit VM Performance

Mattymoocow

Mattymoocow

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 27, 2010
95
23
Anyone running a Windows VM on it via Parallels? How well does it run?

I've got a 1.3/512 SG on order from Apple - going to be another 4 weeks! Don't know whether to hold off and wait, or just walk into a non-Apple store and get a 1.2/512 SG now. Places near me, have stock of 1.1/1.2 256/512 all colour options.

If I buy from Apple and am not happy with VM performance, I can return it within 14 days. No other retailer is going to offer that.

decisions, decisions.......
 
Mattymoocow said:
Anyone running a Windows VM on it via Parallels? How well does it run?

I've got a 1.3/512 SG on order from Apple - going to be another 4 weeks! Don't know whether to hold off and wait, or just walk into a non-Apple store and get a 1.2/512 SG now. Places near me, have stock of 1.1/1.2 256/512 all colour options.

If I buy from Apple and am not happy with VM performance, I can return it within 14 days. No other retailer is going to offer that.

decisions, decisions.......
Click to expand...

Best buy offers 14 day return policy too. Personally I think you should wait for the 1.3GHz. I almost bought a 1.2GHz myself, but with the 1.3GHz model not shipping till June if I ordered today and the fact that I have to spend $80 for ports combined with the fact that I got a rMBP 13" 2015 for $1238 it was a no brainer for me.
 
matt2053 said:
I run Windows 8.1 in Parallels on the base 1.1 model. It works fine.
Click to expand...

Any comments on how Win 8.1 runs compared to Win 7? I run several Windows machines and on every one of them, for a 2007 laptop with 4GB RAM, a T9300 C2D CPU and a 7200k HDD to a 2014 BYO Z87 desktop with 32GB RAM, an i7 4770K CPU and an SSD, Win 8.1 runs better, faster and lighter than Win 7 ran.
 
newellj said:
Any comments on how Win 8.1 runs compared to Win 7? I run several Windows machines and on every one of them, for a 2007 laptop with 4GB RAM, a T9300 C2D CPU and a 7200k HDD to a 2014 BYO Z87 desktop with 32GB RAM, an i7 4770K CPU and an SSD, Win 8.1 runs better, faster and lighter than Win 7 ran.
Click to expand...

Yep, same in a VM.

Windows 10 is even better :)
 
1.2/512 running windows 7 pro w/parallels, no issues, did a bunch of windows updates while running istat, cpu usage never went above 39%.
 
I thought I saw for l some testing which showed parallels as being slightly faster than VMware but VMware lasting much longer on battery.
 
terencedriver said:
I thought I saw for l some testing which showed parallels as being slightly faster than VMware but VMware lasting much longer on battery.
Click to expand...

Ars Technica usually posts a good comparison each year with each new version, but unfortunately they have not done so yet this year with the latest versions.
 
I bit the bullet and cancelled my 1.3/512 order (another 5 weeks wait) and picked up a SG 1.2/512.

It run's my Windows 7 x64 image fine.

Very happy with it so far.

Just hoping someone brings out a compact, elegant dock so I can connect my Cinema Display to.

I got a USB-C to USB adapter, and a Moshi USB to Ethernet adapter. The Moshi USB to Ethernet adapter is great for the MacBook as it has an additional USB port on it that you can use at the same time.
 
What about running multiple services and applications, all office applications, vpn client, visio, several web tabs open in IE, etc.

I would really like to know if i can handle intense work usage on the VM while running other apps in Yosemite without stuttering.

Unfortunately, i need to use a VM due to corporate policy, which actually I prefer anyway, to keep work and private domains separate.

Also, Anyone else know how much of an impact battery life we can estimate between processor speeds? 1.1 - 1.2 - 1.3?

Ready to pull the trigger on a 1.3/512 to get the extra performance, but hoping it the battery life won't take much of a hit.
 
Can anyone run a windows system rating? Id like to quantify how well it runs.

(windows start button > right click computer > properties > Windows experience index)
 
sonicrobby said:
Can anyone run a windows system rating? Id like to quantify how well it runs.

(windows start button > right click computer > properties > Windows experience index)
Click to expand...

Windows Experience Rating was removed from that menu in Windows 8. I believe you can still run it in command prompt but I'm not sure of the commands.
 
Macbuyer7 said:
So running MS Office in Parallels on the 1.2 is good? No lag or anything like that?
Click to expand...

running fine for me. windows 10, 2 cpu, 2gb ram, 20gb hard disk (that's tight; i had to temporarily add an 8gb second disk to do the last update).

no real lag. little lag on the start menu from time to time.
 
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