Run Parallels via Virtual Image OR Boot Camp Partition

[apple2009]

I just purchased a new iMac (2.66 c2d & 4gb of ram), Parallels 4, and Windows XP. I would like to get great performance whenever I use Windows XP and would like to know which installation procedure would help accomplish that.

Would Parallels provide me with a better user experience by installing Windows directly via Parallels OR by having Parallels utilizing a Boot Camp Partition? Which is better and why?

Also, how much memory should I allocate to Parallels/Windows XP?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[gr8tfly]

If you want the best performance, you'll need to install and boot natively via Boot Camp.

But, for those times where you don't need the absolute best performance, you can use Parallels to run it in a VM environment. Parallels will let you use the same partition you use for Boot Camp. I use the default settings for the VM when setting up Boot Camp in Parallels.

I use Windows in that mode most of the time, so I can stay in the OS-X environment. I've even run some apps which use DirectX and they run fine (NASCAR RaceView, in particular, and that's Java, on top of it.).

The only disadvantage in running the Boot Camp partition under Parallels, vs. a full virtual installation, is you can't suspend - you need to shutdown.

 

[-tWv-]

For the best performance I would install Windows via bootcamp and when you want to run intensive windows programs you should boot into windows natively. But parallels will allow you to also run less intensive programs without having to reboot. The best way to get the best performance is to boot into windows natively with bootcamp but if you need to quickly access windows then use the parallels to boot off your bootcamp partition.

 

[Darth.Titan]

Would Parallels provide me with a better user experience by installing Windows directly via Parallels OR by having Parallels utilizing a Boot Camp Partition? Which is better and why?
Also, how much memory should I allocate to Parallels/Windows XP?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Strictly speaking, for use through a VM, installing XP via Parallels into a VM file will provide a much smoother install and use experience than using a Boot Camp partition through Parallels.

However, booting natively from a Boot Camp partition can be necessary for certain tasks like gaming as everyone else said.

You have to ask yourself what tasks you'll need Windows for...