Parallels vs Bootcamp

[Arantxa]

I've ordered a new iMac recently, but I have a few programs I have for Windows that I want to keep using. Nothing intensive, just things like Guildwars, The Sims 2, and Zoo Tycoon.

So far, I'm partial to bootcamp because I'm wary of the virtual machine and how it will work. However, I've got 4GB of RAM and I don't think parallels being slow is an issue.

I just want to know how these games would work best on my mac. Parallels or Bootcamp?

 

[DerChef]

My vote is firmly with parallels however I am NOT a games player. I have a Black Mac Book with 2 GB RAM

I use it mainly for a few bits of specific company software that needs windows. The ability to simply drag and drop data is great and having windows on one display and OS X on another even better.

I like the way that the VW can shink and grow and you dont have latent hard disk space on a partition not being used.

Also somebody can correct me on this but a virus or trojan might trash your VW but thats all the far it will get.

 

[user13]

I don't understand, why don't use both, as I do?
Parallels has got full support of Boot Camp partitions, there will be no conflict between them.
4 Gigs of RAM is A LOT! I'm sure Parallels will work very fine on your system.

 

[LMO]

For games you'll want to go with Boot Camp to get the 3D graphics. Once you have that installed you'll likely want to run Windows as a VM for any non-game apps you have.

Keep in mind that Parallels is not the only game in town; VMware Fusion is also available and works very well. Download trial versions of each and see how you like them.

 

[smurfy]

Boot Camp will run your Mac as a PC, so all programs that run on an equivalent PC run on the Mac.

Parallels 3.0 and VMware Fusion do games, but only if they use up to Direct X 8.1, or any version of OpenGL.

This means that Guild Wars will work, The Sims 2 won't work, but there is a Mac version out if you want to get it (also get this patch or else it will run very slow on an Intel Mac) and Zoo Tycoon 1, but not 2, will work.

Just make the choice. Bear in mind that you can use Boot Camp, then later buy Parallels and use the same copy of Windows, with all the same programs on it, with Parallels, rebooting only to use games that require Boot Camp, if you wish.

 

[user13]

Bear in mind that you can use Boot Camp, then later buy Parallels and use the same copy of Windows, with all the same programs on it, with Parallels, rebooting only to use games that require Boot Camp, if you wish.

That's the way I use Parallels Desktop - I use Boot Camp only for heavy games, that require more than DX 8.1.

Keep in mind that Parallels is not the only game in town

Yes, but I've been using Parallels from early Betas, so it is some kind of a good tradition for me. A good app, in any case