Parallels on new iMac, a few questions

[vjaaan]

Today I receive my new iMac 27in with 1T storage and 8 gb ram. I plan to add more ram (maybe 2- 16 gb) and install Parallels so I can put Windows 10 on and run one particular accounting-type program (that only comes for Windows).
I want to be able to run that program alongside a mac spreadsheet and also a mac word processing app (LibreOffice), jumping back and forth as I work.
Regarding setup of Parallels, do I have to allot a particular amount of physical space to the Windows side? I'll probably have to buy a new version of Windows 10 (since I assume they won't let me re-download it for a new computer?). There is very little else I will want to run on the Windows part of the computer. So, what would be the appropriate amount of space I should allocate to it?

Thanks for any help!
vjaaan

 

[mj_]

You don't need to 'allocate' any space as Parallels will only use as much space as that Windows 10 VM will need. No need to worry about that.
You will also need to purchase a valid Windows 10 license unless you already own one, in which case you can download Windows 10 for free on microsoft.com and activate it with your valid license.
And I would strongly suggest to upgrade your RAM to 16GB. I don't know how much RAM your accounting software needs but your Windows 10 VM will need at least 4GB of RAM, which will leave no more than 4GB for macOS and all other applications.

 

[xgman]

If you get 3rd party ram, go for at least 32gb. Not that expensive and well worth it.

 

[glenthompson]

After you install Windows make a copy of the virtual machine file. Save it somewhere. If you ever need to reinstall Windows from scratch you can just copy in that file and have a clean install. No new authentication required.

When I used to run Parallels, it really wanted 16gb to run well.

Exclude the Parallels VM file from your backup strategy and backup the files from inside Windows. Otherwise it will try to backup the entire vm file every time.

 

[chabig]

You don't need a lot of RAM to run Windows. I run Windows 10 inside a Parallels VM and I only have 8GB in my MacBook Pro.

 

[vjaaan]

Thank you all for your responses! Since I am waiting for the delivery of that new iMac (any minute!), I have not purchased the new ram yet. Until I see it, I am not sure whether it can be upgraded beyond 32 gb. On the Apple site where I purchased it, it said the one I bought ($1799) could only upgrade to 32. But the "expert" on the Apple chat site said that is a 2019 machine and they all can be upgraded to 64.

 

[chabig]

And MacTracker says they can all take 128GB.

 

[vjaaan]

Whoa! I was just in the process of buying Parallels for my new iMac, and I see where the price is a yearly subscription fee!! I am not interested in spending $80 a year for the privilege of running one or two Windows programs.
Isn't there another option, where I can just buy this product?
Update: I found another option. It looked whited-out on the page at first so I did not realize it was a ligit option.
I was able to get the Standard edition for $99, an one time cost. Whew.