Boot camp or parallels

[bwana]

Parallels supports the importing of a BootCamp partition into a Parallels VM. No mention in the help file about blue screens etc.

They have been since ver 2.5 back in 2007. I know it was there back when I used Parallels and I didn't have any problems. There were (are) a few caveats to sharing the boot camp windows installation - like not suspending windows before launching into boot camp - but overall it worked flawlessly. The only reason I stopped using parallels was because I rarely used windows and virtual box was/is free.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

They have been since ver 2.5 back in 2007. I know it was there back when I used Parallels and I didn't have any problems. There were (are) a few caveats to sharing the boot camp windows installation - like not suspending windows before launching into boot camp - but overall it worked flawlessly. The only reason I stopped using parallels was because I rarely used windows and virtual box was/is free.

I have never used virtual box on a mac. Does it have the additional tools that you can install to allow seamless mouse control from within/out of the VM? Am assuming you can run the virtual machine in a window of course

 

[bwana]

I have never used virtual box on a mac. Does it have the additional tools that you can install to allow seamless mouse control from within/out of the VM? Am assuming you can run the virtual machine in a window of course

It's got what they call Guest Additions which allow for full mouse integration.

 

[Radian]

I run Solidworks 14 and Ansys analysis software on Windows 7 64 bit. I had to go Bootcamp and full windows installation. But it really works great. My MBP Retina is now 18 months old and is just a piece of quality hardware!

I use the Mac part for internet (Safari) and for Garageband. Not really good in the Mac environment but the windows in bootcamp is as good as Windows can be.

And rebooting to get into the other environment when need be takes maybe 30 seconds with the SSD running nice and fast and quiet!

 

[tRoN]

Update

Installed VirtualBox and added the lotus notes program.

I must say that this setup works greeeeat!!

Not sure why I didn't get a Mac a long time ago.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[alatheia]

I have my own Windows that I want to install on an external hard drive accessed via USB. My MBP's SSD is already filling up too fast so I'd prefer not to install Windows there. This is new terrain and, while I can figure out the basics, I have no experience as to what can go wrong and how to fix it should the dual-boot become corrupted (if I installed on SSD.)

How advisable is it to use and external HDD and boot from there?

 

[Way69]

I have my own Windows that I want to install on an external hard drive accessed via USB. My MBP's SSD is already filling up too fast so I'd prefer not to install Windows there. This is new terrain and, while I can figure out the basics, I have no experience as to what can go wrong and how to fix it should the dual-boot become corrupted (if I installed on SSD.)

How advisable is it to use and external HDD and boot from there?

I would only boot from a thunderbolt connected device. USB 3 is not reliable and you will blame Apple when it doesnt work.

 

[alatheia]

I would only boot from a thunderbolt connected device. USB 3 is not reliable and you will blame Apple when it doesnt work.

Way69, interesting…..I have been running various Linux distr.'s from USB for years without any hassle, on old, cheap boxes, but maybe I was just lucky. If I use it with Bootcamp as a dual-boot only on the SSD then? Will I get a boot up menu similar to GRUB?

 

[tRoN]

I would only boot from a thunderbolt connected device. USB 3 is not reliable and you will blame Apple when it doesnt work.

As a side question. Can u run a virtual machine like VB or parallels on an external drive without bootcamp?

 

[Way69]

Way69, interesting…..I have been running various Linux distr.'s from USB for years without any hassle, on old, cheap boxes, but maybe I was just lucky. If I use it with Bootcamp as a dual-boot only on the SSD then? Will I get a boot up menu similar to GRUB?

USB was not designed for what you are trying to accomplish. It will work but you will most likely have data issues later down the line.

Apple does have a guide for this.

 

[[)roi(]]

As a side question. Can u run a virtual machine like VB or parallels on an external drive without bootcamp?

Yes.

 

[[)roi(]]

I have my own Windows that I want to install on an external hard drive accessed via USB. My MBP's SSD is already filling up too fast so I'd prefer not to install Windows there. This is new terrain and, while I can figure out the basics, I have no experience as to what can go wrong and how to fix it should the dual-boot become corrupted (if I installed on SSD.)

How advisable is it to use and external HDD and boot from there?

You can, but it's going to require some installation finesse. Considering your challenges to date with OS X and iOS; I'd suggest you either avoid it or include it with your planned visit to the "service center"

However if you're up for the challenge, here's how it's done, including the problems to expect.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5515403?tstart=0

 

[alatheia]

Bootcamp

You can, but it's going to require some installation finesse. Considering your challenges to date with OS X and iOS; I'd suggest you either avoid it or include it with your planned visit to the "service center"

However if you're up for the challenge, here's how it's done, including the problems to expect.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5515403?tstart=0

Hi Droid

I have meanwhile used Bootcamp and set it up on the SSD alongside ML. It works fine, except that I could in no way establish a connection between the MBP and the iPhone. That will have to wait for the techie so that he can get his hands dirty. I did a full reset on the phone and it did not help in that respect, but the dual-booting looks more polished than in Linux with Grub.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone1