M1 mini, Parallels and Memory Pressure

[arpd1971]

Does anyone have any idea how much Parallels adds to the memory pressure on an M1 mini (8/256).

I won't be running much else in Monterey at the same time, and Win11 will only have one app running, probably Edge with an interactive page.

Realise uses, cases can vary a lot, but any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Download the free trial and check it out. All depends on your use case and other variables so not really a one size fits all thing.

 

[arpd1971]

I feared that might be the case.

I can only access the website i need for work when the contract starts so i will have to try it all then and make a quick decision!

 

[apostolosdt]

I'm afraid 8GB memory won't do much. On Monterey, I guess you should install Parallels 16 or 17. Either won't drain memory and the VM can run from an external disk. But Windows 11 will need more than the minimum 2GB of memory, and not because it will run as a VM. I have Parallels 17 on a 16GB MBP and Windows 10 shows its limitations as a VM.

I guess M1 Mini can meet the Windows 11 demanding specs---I can't tell on that issue.

 

[arpd1971]

Suck it and see, I guess!

If it doesn't work, I have a Windows laptop that can hook to an external monitor - i only need it for one contract a year for about 2 weeks, so I'll make do.... That software is due to be updated anytime, anyway, so this might all be moot soon.

Thanks for input!

 

[jav6454]

8GB for a main OS and a VM? No. That's pushing it. At minimum you'd need 16GB.

 

[chabig]

I used to routinely run Windows 10 in Parallels on an 8GB machine without problems. I assigned 2GB to Windows, which seems low but works fine for office tasks.

 

[arpd1971]

I used to routinely run Windows 10 in Parallels on an 8GB machine without problems. I assigned 2GB to Windows, which seems low but works fine for office tasks.

Thanks. I think it must be worth a try… I literally need to run a browser and nothing else…

 

[chabig]

Thanks. I think it must be worth a try… I literally need to run a browser and nothing else…

You will be surprised how little RAM Windows needs.

 

[jdb8167]

I won't be running much else in Monterey at the same time, and Win11 will only have one app running, probably Edge with an interactive page.

Are you sure you need Windows11? Edge runs on MacOS.

 

[arpd1971]

Are you sure you need Windows11? Edge runs on MacOS.

I did last time I ran it. It detects the OS and will only run on Win 8 or newer MS system. I live in hope of a more enlightened approach, which I will try first!