Replace current laptop w/ MBA or go iMac?

[KylePowers]

base 27in iMac + education discount + printer + $100 gift card + free magic trackpad (long story) = ordered!

 

[KylePowers]

Hey again everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone had a recommendation between virtual machine software?

• VirtualBox 4: free
• VMware Fusion 3: $79.95 Apple | $39.99 University bookstore
• Parallels Desktop 6: $79.95 Apple | $79.99 University bookstore... wtf

Also, would it be wise to just use XP or go with Windows 7?

Also also, I can get iWork for $39.99 (vs $79.00 at Apple) via my university bookstore. Is that worth it? I guess there's probably a trial, so that I can check for myself . Microsoft Office isn't listed on my school's website (for Mac or PC), but I know they carry it for like $10 for PC (or was that a Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade disc.. hmmm)

 

[J&JPolangin]

Hey again everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone had a recommendation between virtual machine software?

• VirtualBox 4: free
• VMware Fusion 3: $79.95 Apple | $39.99 University bookstore
• Parallels Desktop 6: $79.95 Apple | $79.99 University bookstore... wtf

Also, would it be wise to just use XP or go with Windows 7?

Also also, I can get iWork for $39.99 (vs $79.00 at Apple) via my university bookstore. Is that worth it? I guess there's probably a trial, so that I can check for myself . Microsoft Office isn't listed on my school's website (for Mac or PC), but I know they carry it for like $10 for PC (or was that a Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade disc.. hmmm)

Even with the current CPU's in iMac's, MBP's, etc... I find that just using bootcamp is much better than running a VM = especially if you have an SSD in your machine = rebooting is fast and the better performance of running the OS natively is so much nicer an experience IMHOP.

For $39, I try iWork = that's cheap enough.

I just picked up a military appreciation edition of MS office 2010 (for win) for $69 for a 3 license pack so you may want to find some one eligible to do that and go that route for MS office (all of my current machines have Open office on them but for the 3 pack at that price I didn't mind spending the $$).

 

[gauravkapoor08]

VirtualBox and Windows for Mac?

Hi,

I am using MBP 13'' 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD.

I have 3 questions:

1. I require Windows only to access couple of basic MBA applications and MS Office for Windows --- Will VirtualBox be good enough to meet these requirements?

2. I thought about bootcamp but I am scared that I might loose on a lot of space since the disk space is 128GB --- any thoughts?

3. Should I install Windows 7 or will XP suffice? I have never used Windows 7 so not sure if accessing it through VirtualBox would be slow even if I have SSD

Thanks.

 

[J&JPolangin]

I'm replying in all caps so its easier to read below:

Hi,

I am using MBP 13'' 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD.

I have 3 questions:

1. I require Windows only to access couple of basic MBA applications and MS Office for Windows --- Will VirtualBox be good enough to meet these requirements?

VIRTUAL BOX WILL WORK BUT LIKE ANY VM IT WILL BE SLOWER THAN USING THE NATIVE OS.

2. I thought about bootcamp but I am scared that I might loose on a lot of space since the disk space is 128GB --- any thoughts?

YOU WILL STILL NEED TO PARTITION THE SSD AND ALLOCATE SPACE FOR THE WIN(VERSION) AND VIRTUAL BOX PROGRAMS.

3. Should I install Windows 7 or will XP suffice? I have never used Windows 7 so not sure if accessing it through VirtualBox would be slow even if I have SSD

WIN7 IS LARGER THAN WINXP SO IF ALL YOUR WIN PROGRAMS RUN ON XP AND YOU DON'T PLAN ON USING NEWER GAMES/PROGRAMS THAT REQUIRE WIN7 = XP IS THE WAY TO GO FOR SPACE CONSIDERATION.

Thanks.

 

[Blazntc86]

base 27in iMac + education discount + printer + $100 gift card + free magic trackpad (long story) = ordered!

WHAT?! How did u get a free magic trackpad? I'm on the fence about buying an iMac via AMAZON. Sucks you can't do a BTO...cuz I already have a magic mouse and would totally swap it out....