Parallels Question (Still need Window?)

[ATK1]

Hello,

So I have a quick questions about using Parallels. I have been doing some research on whether I would want to go with Boot Camp or parallels and im still not fully committed to either my question though is;
When buying parallels is it simply the program to allow you to then install windows via parallels? In other words parallels alone does nothing?

My other question is could I purchase windows use it with Boot Camp and if I decide I would rather be using it side by side with OSX I could simply un-install it from Boot Camp and install it on parallels?

Thank you all in advance for the help and advice!

 

[swiftaw]

Yes, you'll still need a copy of windows to install in parallels.

Also, parallels can access your boot camp partition, so you wouldn't need to uninstall it to access it that way.

 

[Hawkeye16]

I would highly recommend parallels over boot camp. It works flawlessly with Lion anyway. I used to use boot camp and since using parallels I will never look back. Much faster and easier (unless you will need 100% of your Ram and processing cores when running windows, then boot camp may be better even with the other limitations it imposes).

 

[ndpuckhead]

I've been using Parallels with Lion, it works excellent. I usually have Windows open and its a breeze to switch back and forth. My old MacBook just had Bootcamp, and Parallels is much better.

 

[bcburrows]

My opinions

In other words parallels alone does nothing?
Wel, I would not say it does nothing, but I would say that it is just not stand alone. Yes you need a copy of windows to use with it, but I suspect Parallels is a fairly complex program, especially considering how well (in my opinion) it integrates windows with mac.


My other question is could I purchase windows use it with Boot Camp and if I decide I would rather be using it side by side with OSX I could simply un-install it from Boot Camp and install it on parallels?

Yes

I initially used bootcamp but switched to parallels as I was sick of having to restart to switch. The only thing I would say is, max your ram, as I have found that in order to set the virtual machine and have a functioning mac, you need to carefully set up the machine and RAM is essential