Advice on Parallels

[jojoba]

I would like to use Nvivo for Windows on my mac (they have a mac version but it has less functionality) so I'm considering getting Parallels. A couple of questions:

1. I'm on a Macbook Air 2014, 8GB ram, 256GB storage. How much should I devote to the windows section of the drive? The only app I want to run at the moment is Nvivo.

2. Any thoughts on which windows version to go for?

Thanks!

 

[organic bond]

I'm not sure about the first question. Not much for sure. Regarding the OS, I can tell you that Win 10 uses more battery than 8.1.

 

[talmy]

1. I'm on a Macbook Air 2014, 8GB ram, 256GB storage. How much should I devote to the windows section of the drive? The only app I want to run at the moment is Nvivo.

You don't have to devote any specific size to Windows. When you create the Windows virtual machine, make sure the virtual hard drive is "Expanding disk". Then it uses only the amount of space it needs for the OS and the application.

2. Any thoughts on which windows version to go for?

I've got them all (the "Pro" desktop versions both 32 and 64 bit) going back to Windows 2000. Either use Windows 10 if you want the OS to keep current or find a copy of Windows 7 and install that. IMHO the best versions have been XP and 7, but XP is really too old these days.

 

[organicCPU]

so I'm considering getting Parallels.

Did you consider Virtual Box, too? https://www.virtualbox.org
Virtual disk size is also growing and just taking the size needed, if you pick that standard option.
Should be valid for data analysis.

+1 for Windows 7 Pro for virtualization, as it's less resources intensive (disk space, etc.) than Windows 8 or 10 and will be working with latest NVivo. Nevertheless, Windows 10 might be more future proof, if further upgrades of NVivo will require a more recent system.

 

[jojoba]

Thanks so much, everybody, appreciated. I'm downloading Virtual Box now and will check in with QSR how future proof Windows 7 is. Less resource intensive sounds appealing.