How can I make Windows more powerful?

[Josh Kahane]

Hi

So after getting my new mac and installing the Windows 7 beta on both the Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion trials I am beginning to wonder how I can make the most of it?

What I mean is how can I make it run smoother? What drivers etc shall I get and install? Please post anything which will speed up windows while I run it on my mac.

Any help much appreciated, thanks.

 

[r.j.s]

For Fusion and Parallels, the best drivers are going to be the ones that come with the program, e.g. VMWare Tools for Fusion

 

[dimme]

I think to run it the smoothest you need to run it in boot camp/ I have vmware and bootcamp and the emulation programs go a good job BUT there is so much overhead it just slows things down too much.

 

[elgrecomac]

a couple of items

1. in Win 7, go to the control panel
2. go to PROGRAMS
3. Go to TURN WINDOWS FEATURES ON/OFF
4. Turn off GAMES, Telnet, Tablet PC Components and Windows OCR.
5. Press OK and the system will reboot with the new parameters.

Here is a good link

http://pcwizkidstechtalk.com/index.php/vista-videos.html

Things will be a bit snappier. BTW, the same changes hold true in Vista...but thats not a big surprise.

Good Luck.

 

[ayeying]

Disabling Windows Search also helps, especially on Vista. It'll stop the constant seeking of the hard drive.

start Orb > services.msc > "Windows Search" > Disable and Stop.

 

[Stridder44]

Easy, stop running it in virtual machine.


You want as smooth as possible? Boot Camp is your only answer. Erase that VM junk and install it via Boot Camp.

You could modify, tweak, disable, and uninstall till you crap yourself but it won't make any real difference.

 

[elgrecomac]

VM junk? Really?

Easy, stop running it in virtual machine.


You want as smooth as possible? Boot Camp is your only answer. Erase that VM junk and install it via Boot Camp.

You could modify, tweak, disable, and uninstall till you crap yourself but it won't make any real difference.

Junk? Really? Except with a VM I can easily switch between the only 2 win apps (MS Project and MS Visio) I need and the OS I love. I have NO performance issues running XP, Vista or Win7 in this manner. Actually, I have become a big fan of Win7 (the REAL Vista). The thought of rebooting all the time instead of running those apps in Unity is just wrong.



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17" MBP 4Gb ram, 200 Gb internal, 3Tb external storage, 30" Cinema Display

 

[Josh Kahane]

Ok so Im hearing good things about Bootcamp. Does anyone know how much faster it is? Significantly?

 

[elgrecomac]

Well..

Ok so Im hearing good things about Bootcamp. Does anyone know how much faster it is? Significantly?

It will run Windows just as fast as a 'normal' PC, depending on processor speed, amount of memory, video speed, etc. Its Apple's version of dual boot---same hardware, different OS. Now compared to a virtual machine version of the same windows installation, you'd be looking at a 20% hit in windows performance over bootcamp...

but I have to ask the question: what do you plan to run under windows?

1. If you plan to run AutoCAD ----bootcamp
2. if you plan to run games --- bootcamp
3. If you plan to run other PC-only software like Visio or MS Project - VM

I use Fusion and can drag and drop files between Windows and OSX on the fly. I never leave OSX and run my PC-specific apps but never have to see the windows desktop (because I run them in unity mode). The pc apps are icons on my doc.

Lots have been written on this subject here and other boards...do some searching to see what fits best for you. My unscientific analysis indicates that most people prefer Fusion over Parallels for he Virtual Machine world.

 

[rhysmorgan]

Ok so Im hearing good things about Bootcamp. Does anyone know how much faster it is? Significantly?

Yes, you're running Windows at native speeds, and also you won't need to worry about trials expiring.

 

[Josh Kahane]

Ok this is great feedback guys thanks.

I it possible to have a Boot Camp partition installed and use it for more heavy going things, but still boot that partition in either VMware or Parallels for when I need that extra integration?

 

[r.j.s]

Ok this is great feedback guys thanks.

I it possible to have a Boot Camp partition installed and use it for more heavy going things, but still boot that partition in either VMware or Parallels for when I need that extra integration?

Yes.

Install Windows in Boot Camp.

Back in OS X, open Fusion. It should automatically recognize and convert the BC partition for use as a VM.

 

[Stridder44]

Junk? Really? Except with a VM I can easily switch between the only 2 win apps (MS Project and MS Visio) I need and the OS I love. I have NO performance issues running XP, Vista or Win7 in this manner. Actually, I have become a big fan of Win7 (the REAL Vista). The thought of rebooting all the time instead of running those apps in Unity is just wrong.

Sorry, I should of clarified. I don't think virtual machine is junk per se, it's just that the OP was asking for speed, and virtual machine is not what you want when you're asking for the best speed. If you are only concerned about productivity, then virtual machine is awesome. But if you're looking for power, VM is not the answer.