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Poll: How Many Use Virtualization Machine On Their MBP

Do You Use Virtual Machine On Your MBP?

  • No, I'm running OS X exclusively on my MBP!

    Votes: 12 20.7%

  • No, but I'm using bootcamp to run Windows natively.

    Votes: 5 8.6%

  • Yes, I'm running Windows on a virtual machine.

    Votes: 39 67.2%

  • Yes, I'm running Linux(or other OS) on a virtual machine.

    Votes: 2 3.4%
  • Total voters
    58
M

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
How many are there that using only OS X and how many of you run Windows on a virtual machine(using Parallels, VMWare ...)?

P.S. If you're using both virtual machine AND bootcamp, please reply to the thread because it's not on the poll options. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
i don't see the pole?
But I do.

I actually run both bootcamp and VMware Fusion.
I run the Fusion when doing small changes and etc, but run bootcamp when Im doing processor hungry works.

EDIT: Never mind, I see it now.
 
yusukeaoki said:
i don't see the pole?
But I do.

I actually run both bootcamp and VMware Fusion.
I run the Fusion when doing small changes and etc, but run bootcamp when Im doing processor hungry works.

EDIT: Never mind, I see it now.
Click to expand...

Cool, is it possible to install Windows only once and use it both natively and as a virtual machine? If not, how do you share files from the bootcamp Windows to the Fusion Windows - you need to mange your files twice, isn't that so?
 
macNewbie02 said:
Cool, is it possible to only one copy of the Windows and use it both natively and as a virtual machine? Put in other words, did you installed Windows twice, therefore they are two different copies of Windows, meaning different file system (how do you share files from the bootcamp Windows to the Fusion Windows?)

Hope the question makes sense :)
Click to expand...

I installed Bootcamp first.
And as I installed VMware Fusion, it gives you options such as
"Install new Windows, use windows from bootcamp, or use other OS"

I just chose use Windows from bootcamp and wala!
All files are easily shared. You can even pull files from Mac directly to Windows.

However, there is slight decrease in RAM and CPU power since it is a virtual machine.

Also you can create new Windows from iso file or disk.
 
yusukeaoki said:
I installed Bootcamp first.
And as I installed VMware Fusion, it gives you options such as
"Install new Windows, use windows from bootcamp, or use other OS"

I just chose use Windows from bootcamp and wala!
All files are easily shared. You can even pull files from Mac directly to Windows.

However, there is slight decrease in RAM and CPU power since it is a virtual machine.

Also you can create new Windows from iso file or disk.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's really neat, I didn't know they had such a great feature. :)

BTW, do you know whether Parallels has a similar feature? (and also why don't you use Parallels instead?)
 
macNewbie02 said:
Wow, that's really neat, I didn't know they had such a great feature. :)

BTW, do you know whether Parallels has a similar feature? (and also why don't you use Parallels instead?)
Click to expand...

Im sorry but no info on parallels.
I just started off with VMware and loved it so I decided to stick with it.
Not much reason. Its not like I hate the other.
 
yusukeaoki said:
Im sorry but no info on parallels.
I just started off with VMware and loved it so I decided to stick with it.
Not much reason. Its not like I hate the other.
Click to expand...

Great. And are you satisfied with the virtual machine? have you exprienced any trouble with it? Does it suck the battery life when it's running in the background?

Thanks :)
 
macNewbie02 said:
Great. And are you satisfied with the virtual machine? have you exprienced any trouble with it? Does it suck the battery life when it's running in the background?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately yes.
Virtual machines tend to eat more battery and get hot since its running 2 OS at the same time. (meaning more CPU power needed)

However, I am extremely satisfied.
Although it cant do hardcore things on VM, I still can transfer files from Mac to Windows without transferring file to USB device, restart, than to Win.

It is a intelligent piece of device.
 
macNewbie02 said:
How many are there that using only OS X and how many of you run Windows on a virtual machine(using Parallels, VMWare ...)?

P.S. If you're using both virtual machine AND bootcamp, please reply to the thread because it's not on the poll options. Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you are interested about VM performance vs Bootcamp performance,
please look at the Parallels benchmarks I have conducted. Not bad! :cool:

These benchmarks are a bit outdated (March 2012)
the current results for a new version should be even better.

The main downside is that VM eats half of your RAM,
so it's highly recommendable to upgrade to at least 8GB of RAM.

P.S. If someone has a benchmarks on VMWare or VirtualBox, please send me a link: I would like to compare.
 
AppleMacFinder said:
If you are interested about VM performance vs Bootcamp performance,
please look at the Parallels benchmarks I have conducted. Not bad! :cool:

These benchmarks are a bit outdated (March 2012)
the current results for a new version should be even better.

The main downside is that VM eats half of your RAM,
so it's highly recommendable to upgrade to at least 8GB of RAM.

P.S. If someone has a benchmarks on VMWare or VirtualBox, please send me a link: I would like to compare.
Click to expand...

These are great detailed reports to see!
Yeah VM is a huge RAM eater.
Thats why I upgraded to 16GB since using 4GB/8GB was making my machine slow enough...
 
AppleMacFinder said:
If you are interested about VM performance vs Bootcamp performance,
please look at the Parallels benchmarks I have conducted. Not bad! :cool:

These benchmarks are a bit outdated (March 2012)
the current results for a new version should be even better.

The main downside is that VM eats half of your RAM,
so it's highly recommendable to upgrade to at least 8GB of RAM.

P.S. If someone has a benchmarks on VMWare or VirtualBox, please send me a link: I would like to compare.
Click to expand...

Awesome :)

if you're a Parallels user I'll ask you:

1. do you know whether it's possible to install Parallels from a copy of a bootcamped Windows and running the same OS from OS X & Bootcamp?

2. what is the heat affect?

3. what is the battery performance when using Parallels(even if only running in the background and not running anything heavy there)?
 
macNewbie02 said:
Awesome :)

if you're a Parallels user I'll ask you:

1. do you know whether it's possible to install Parallels from a copy of a bootcamped Windows and running the same OS from OS X & Bootcamp?

2. what is the heat affect?

3. what is the battery performance when using Parallels(even if only running in the background and not running anything heavy there)?
Click to expand...

1) No, it is not possible. You should install a new Windows, from a DVD or .iso . The migration process
(installing system updates and programs, moving stuff, etc.) is pretty fast, could not take more than one day. Also, you will have a "fresh" system.

2-3) Since the CPU optimization is quite good:
:apple: the temperature increase is not big, I believe it doesn't exceed 10 C.
:apple: the battery life is not reduced by much. maybe a hour less.
 
AppleMacFinder said:
1) No, it is not possible. You should install a new Windows, from a DVD or .iso . The migration process
(installing system updates and programs, moving stuff, etc.) is pretty fast, could not take more than one day. Also, you will have a "fresh" system.

2-3) Since the CPU optimization is quite good:
:apple: the temperature increase is not big, I believe it doesn't exceed 10 C.
:apple: the battery life is not reduced by much. maybe a hour less.
Click to expand...

2-3) that's great.

about 1) this isn't that good, because it's fine to have a "fresh" system and to take one day to set it, however, if I would need to use bootcamp also this wouldn't be the omptimal scenario because then I have to manage duplicate operating system, which isn't that fun :)
 
I hate virtualization. My Mac goes slower. If the PC has a problem (not responding), force quitting the App wouldn't help. It's still taking the Mac's resources (Based on my experience with Parallels). You can't play games at Max too.
 
iAppleseed said:
I hate virtualization. My Mac goes slower. If the PC has a problem (not responding), force quitting the App wouldn't help. It's still taking the Mac's resources (Based on my experience with Parallels). You can't play games at Max too.
Click to expand...

The virtualization software was greatly improved during the last years.
Try the new versions, and you wouldn't be disappointed :rolleyes:
 
I run VMware Fusion with Win7 on my MBA with 4GB RAM
It runs MS Office very well, along with some proprietary software for work

Yes, Fusion has Unity mode (similar to Coherence in Parallels)
 
I run Windows XP via Parallels occasionally in order to use a specific software that never got released for OSX. Other than that, I'm always on OSX.
 
I run Windows 7 under Parallels and Ubuntu Linux under VirtualBox on my MBP. It's an i7 quad core with 8 GB RAM. However I also used virtualization on my old MB with a Core 2 Duo and 4GB RAM, and even used virtualization successfully with my first iMac which was limited to 3GB RAM. I ran, and still run, Windows 2000 VM for some "legacy" work, and this easily fits in a 1GB VM.

Being able to use virtual machines was critical to me as I need to run several applications that are Windows only. I would still be using Windows computers full time if it were not for that capability.
 
AppleMacFinder said:
1) No, it is not possible. You should install a new Windows, from a DVD or .iso . The migration process
(installing system updates and programs, moving stuff, etc.) is pretty fast, could not take more than one day. Also, you will have a "fresh" system.

2-3) Since the CPU optimization is quite good:
:apple: the temperature increase is not big, I believe it doesn't exceed 10 C.
:apple: the battery life is not reduced by much. maybe a hour less.
Click to expand...

Actually it is possible. This is straight from Parallels Desktop Help:

Boot Camp is a feature of Mac OS X that lets you start up your Mac in Windows. If you have already installed Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP on your Mac using Boot Camp, you can set Parallels Desktop to work with Boot Camp using either of these two options:

Set Parallels Desktop to run Windows from the Boot Camp partition: Changes you make in Windows programs either while working in Mac OS X or when you start up your Mac in Windows using Boot Camp will be reflected in both places.
Click to expand...

I use Parallels and have had absolutely no issues with it. I have 16GB ram in my MBP and so I am able to run Win 7 and XP very well. I do .NET development and also use my Windows VMs to remote into my work computer since I work from home 75% of the time.
 
Need another option:

E) Virtualises Bootcamp partition for best of both worlds.

VMWare + Windows 7 x64 on 2nd HDD in optical drive bay.
 
Win Mac User said:
Actually it is possible. This is straight from Parallels Desktop Help:



I use Parallels and have had absolutely no issues with it. I have 16GB ram in my MBP and so I am able to run Win 7 and XP very well. I do .NET development and also use my Windows VMs to remote into my work computer since I work from home 75% of the time.
Click to expand...

Awesome, I didn't know that! :)
 
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