Hello!
I have been assigned an introduction to programming course using C++ over the next few weeks. I haven't had a need to bother with Windows in any substantial way in a long, long time, but my students will be using Windows 7 PCs in our lab.
My thinking is I'd like to pick up a copy of Windows 7 Professional and install it on my MacBook so that I can work with exactly the software they'll be using. In particular, I would like to install NetBeans with the C/C++ plugins, Cygwin, gcc, g++, gdb, and make sure I know the process and am comfortable troubleshooting just in case the students or the IT departments run into any difficulties.
Ideally, I'd like to install Windows via Boot Camp and have access to it in a virtual machine, too.
For reference, I am using a 2.0GHz late-2008 unibody MacBook with 8GB of RAM, running OS X 10.8.4
This brings me to my questions:
1.) I've read conflicting accounts on whether Windows 7 Professional 64-bit can be successfully installed and used on my computer via Boot Camp. I know that Apple doesn't officially list it as a supported model, yet according to Apple my machine only supports 4GB of RAM, so...
2.) Without getting into a general debate about the relative merits of all the various virtualization software, which among Parallels, VMWare Fusion, and Virtual Box would be most suited to the intended use of my Windows install? Namely, I will be installing Cygwin and compiling and running simple C++ exercises using the NetBeans IDE to test for any issues before "going live" in the class.
When class begins, I will most likely be running the Windows VM with my laptop hooked up a projector so I can demonstrate whatever needs to be in the same environment the students are using.
If anyone has experience they'd like to share or advice, I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance!
I have been assigned an introduction to programming course using C++ over the next few weeks. I haven't had a need to bother with Windows in any substantial way in a long, long time, but my students will be using Windows 7 PCs in our lab.
My thinking is I'd like to pick up a copy of Windows 7 Professional and install it on my MacBook so that I can work with exactly the software they'll be using. In particular, I would like to install NetBeans with the C/C++ plugins, Cygwin, gcc, g++, gdb, and make sure I know the process and am comfortable troubleshooting just in case the students or the IT departments run into any difficulties.
Ideally, I'd like to install Windows via Boot Camp and have access to it in a virtual machine, too.
For reference, I am using a 2.0GHz late-2008 unibody MacBook with 8GB of RAM, running OS X 10.8.4
This brings me to my questions:
1.) I've read conflicting accounts on whether Windows 7 Professional 64-bit can be successfully installed and used on my computer via Boot Camp. I know that Apple doesn't officially list it as a supported model, yet according to Apple my machine only supports 4GB of RAM, so...
2.) Without getting into a general debate about the relative merits of all the various virtualization software, which among Parallels, VMWare Fusion, and Virtual Box would be most suited to the intended use of my Windows install? Namely, I will be installing Cygwin and compiling and running simple C++ exercises using the NetBeans IDE to test for any issues before "going live" in the class.
When class begins, I will most likely be running the Windows VM with my laptop hooked up a projector so I can demonstrate whatever needs to be in the same environment the students are using.
If anyone has experience they'd like to share or advice, I would be most appreciative. Thanks in advance!
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