what should i use to install Windows?

[macnewbie13]

After looking through numerous posts I've come across many different people talking about how they use Bootcamp, or Parallels, or VMWare to run Windows. My question is what do you guys think is the best and easiest one to install windows with? I know that Bootcamp partitions the HD and that Parallels doesnt (at least from what i understand), I dont know anything about VMWare.... sorry if this was already asked somewhere, i tried searching for a forum like this and I couldnt find one...

thanks!
Andy

 

[aaronw1986]

Check out this guide.
http://guides.macrumors.com/Booting_Windows_on_the_Mac

Basically, what will you be using windows for? If you need all the resources dedicated, go the boot camp route. Otherwise, virtualization should work just fine. I use a combo, so I use 1 partition for Windows that I can boot in Boot Camp or in Vmware.

 

[macnewbie13]

i was mainly going to use it for gaming so that i can give my old Dell to my parents

BTW, thanks for the link to the guide, it is very helpful!

 

[aaronw1986]

i was mainly going to use it for gaming so that i can give my old Dell to my parents

BTW, thanks for the link to the guide, it is very helpful!

If it's for gaming, you want to choose the Boot Camp route, no questions asked. You can always get a virtualization program down the line, so you could have both methods.

 

[The Flashing Fi]

i was mainly going to use it for gaming so that i can give my old Dell to my parents

BTW, thanks for the link to the guide, it is very helpful!

Boot Camp. Gaming won't be fun in virtualization software (VMWare, parallels, ect).

 

[sushi]

If you use Bootcamp to install Windows, at a later date you can add Parallels or VMware.

Either Parallels or VMware can use the Bootcamp image to run Windows. This allows you to run only one installation of Windows, and of course only update on copy of Windows and installed software.

If you install Parallels or VMware and use the Bootcamp installation, you do not need to create a new virtual HD with a Windows installation, unless you want to.

Both Parallels and VMware will let you choose which image to boot from if you have more than one possibility between virtual images and a Bootcamp image.

 

[macnewbie13]

thanks for all the advice guys!! I appreciate it!