[SOLVED] Like boot camp, but only with switching users?

[upaymeifixit]

I have tried to figure out every possibility for making Windows run faster on my MacBook Air (Rev. A). Because of lack of Memory/Speed, It can sometimes be a hard task for the computer to run Parallels. I like the usefulness of having the two operating systems side by side, but the speed of it on boot camp. So my question was, can I combine those?

My idea was to run the two operating systems in two different users, with fast user switching enabled. Since fast user switching "freezes" the account that is not being used, it would be almost as if I were running it in it's own computer by itself.

The only problem is, I'm not really sure how to make an account for just that. Obviously, I will block most Mac apps from running, but what about other processes? Are there any processes I don't need running if I am just running Parallels? Any tips for speeding it up? Should I take advantage of ALL the RAM and CPU in Parallels Settings? Anything I should know?

Thanks In advance.

 

[Gav Mack]

There's only one possibility - sell your MBA and get a Macbook Pro cos your Air simply can't do it. That needs a faster CPU, more ram and faster storage.

Even on my MBP I've found that Parallels isn't quick enough for my needs so even though it's installed I always run boot camp. I've only ever been happy with it's performance once - on a dual cpu quad core Mac Pro with 8Gb ram!

 

[r.j.s]

My idea was to run the two operating systems in two different users, with fast user switching enabled. Since fast user switching "freezes" the account that is not being used, it would be almost as if I were running it in it's own computer by itself.

It will not work like that, since OS X will still need to be running the vast majority of its processes in order to keep Parallels, the internet and connected hardware running ...

In short, you can't do it.

 

[upaymeifixit]

I know.

Well, despite everyones warnings, I tried it, but with Ubuntu. It seemed to work well, but Parallels was using 10%, I thought it would freeze it. I guess my next question is, does fast switching Flash the RAM, and relieve the CPU?

Thanks.

 

[LtRammstein]

*Buntu ≠ Windows.

With *nix OSes there is not much overhead to worry about.

The fact is, Parallels/VMWare Fusion instantly take half of your computer's resources to run the other operating system.