Windows on Macbook Pro

[Aelyrin]

Hello,

I Am a new Mac user (waiting on my new 17in 2.33ghz C2D, 2gigs ram, 100gig 7200rpm Hd Laptop to show up) and I have a question about running Windows on the MBPs.

I understand that by using Parallels you can run Windows in a "window" basically like it's just another program in OSX. Then by using bootcamp you can run a native install which you select to boot form on booting your laptop.

My question is, if you want to run both a Parallels driven Windows XP and a Bootcamp Driven Windows XP do you have to install windows XP twice?

My situation is basically that I will be working on my MBP and needing to run both OSX and Windows (via Parallels) to utilize both Operating systems for various programs. I am also, however, a gamer and play several pc-only games and after reading several reviews, running games in Windows (via Parallels) gives you a significant performance hit because half of your system resources are being eaten up by OSX.

SOOOOOOOO. Question again is. I want to be able to run Bootcamped Windows for gaming, but for working I Want to run OSX and windows via parallels.

Do I have to install it twice? Or can I load the windows partition from either?

Hope this makes sense and that I am posting in the proper forum...

 

[PygmySurfer]

You'll need a separate Windows installation for both Parallels and Boot Camp, unfortunately.

Even worse, you'll likely need two licenses, since you'd probably not be able to activate both Windows installations. A Windows XP VLK/Corporate edition might help with that, though.

I might be wrong, but I thought I read something about Parallels hoping to be able to do what you were hoping to do at some point in the future.

 

[Aelyrin]

bleh, was worried about that.

Do any parallels users know how bad the hit is on performance in games such BF2142, CS: Source, and Oblivion when runnin in Windows (via parallels).

 

[Zadillo]

bleh, was worried about that.

Do any parallels users know how bad the hit is on performance in games such BF2142, CS: Source, and Oblivion when runnin in Windows (via parallels).

You won't be able to play those games at all, Parallels doesn't really have access to 3d acceleration. You'll need to play those in bootcamp.

 

[sulhaq]

You abso-f@*in-lutely CANNOT play any "decent" game on Parallels. I was so freaking mad when I found this out after wastign 2 hours on the installation. Parallels has no 3D support. Forget 3D, the max memory of the Graphics Adapter in Parallels is 8MB. That's just sad and lame.

 

[yellow]

No support YET.

They are planning on adding it.

I, for one, am glad that Parallels exists.

 

[Zadillo]

You abso-f@*in-lutely CANNOT play any "decent" game on Parallels. I was so freaking mad when I found this out after wastign 2 hours on the installation. Parallels has no 3D support. Forget 3D, the max memory of the Graphics Adapter in Parallels is 8MB. That's just sad and lame.

Are there any virtualization systems anywhere on any platform that would allow for full 3d acceleration? I don't think I've heard of any. I don't think this is unique to Parallels.

 

[Gosh]

This is extracted from the The Official Parallels Virtualization Blog http://parallelsvirtualization.blogspot.com/

"Ask Ben Anything" - All about OSes
Friday, October 13, 2006

If I want the option of running Windows XP under both Parallels or Boot
Camp. What are the Windows license implications? Must I purchase two
copies of Windows XP? (It seems that since it is on the same hardware
and not running concurrently, that a single license for Windows should
be sufficient, at least in the legal sense). Will Microsoft allow the
same copy of Windows to be registered for both Parallels and Boot Camp?

- Clinton W.

The best answer I can give is "maybe". There are a lot of versions of Windows out there, and the EULA (End User License Agreement) can be slightly different in each. In most cases, the EULA states that Windows XP can be installed on one machine, which can be interpreted in two ways:

1. You need need two licensed copies of Windows to use both Parallels and Boot Camp at the same time.
2. Since Parallels and Boot Camp reside on the same machine, you're good to go.

I have heard that many of our users have had success with interpretation #2 by calling Microsoft and explaining that they're planning on using the same copy twice on one machine, and that Microsoft has said OK. Your results may vary.

This issue with multi-machine licensig becomes much more concrete when it comes to Vista. Microsoft just announced that VistaVista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium in a virtual machine, via the rather direct statement "You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system,". You can, however, install Vista Ultimate and Vista Business, in any virtual machine. For the entire Vista license agreement, check out the EULA section of Microsoft.com. Greg Kezier of TechWeb also wrote a good article on the new EULA changes, which you can read here.

The bottom line when installing XP or any Windows OS is make sure that you've ready your copy's EULA, and that you abide by it, or else its entirely possible you get a nastygram from Microsoft Legal telling you that you're operating your machine illegally, and that you owe them some money.

 

[sulhaq]

One more thing to consider is even when I'm running a game that requires a lot of juice under bootcamp my fan rarely kicks into high gear, however when I'm using even simple things like browsing under parallels the fan is constantly on high. It seems to me Parallels hogs a lot more resources while running compared to running windows natively (which is expected as it is virtualizing an OS), so, something to consider here is even if support comes in the future would you even want to play games on parallels? I, for one, don't want my fans running constantly on high.

 

[Aelyrin]

One more thing to consider is even when I'm running a game that requires a lot of juice under bootcamp my fan rarely kicks into high gear, however when I'm using even simple things like browsing under parallels the fan is constantly on high. It seems to me Parallels hogs a lot more resources while running compared to running windows natively (which is expected as it is virtualizing an OS), so, something to consider here is even if support comes in the future would you even want to play games on parallels? I, for one, don't want my fans running constantly on high.

The point isn't really to play games on Parallels. Atleast for my sake what I am wanting is a way to have Parallels access the same windows install that bootcamp is running from.

This would save the harddrive space of a dual installation as well as providing access to any of your windows based "work" programs while you happen to be gaming.

For instance, If I have Office isntalled on 1 windows partition that I keep open in Parallels, I will not want to eat up that HD space by installing it again on the second partition that I game from using bootcamp.

Or for instance if I have BF2142 running in bootcamped windows and I want to access a word file I Was working on that day @ work I dont have to reboot into OSX, power up Parallels windows and read the file, I can just view it while gaming.

Having 2 installations of windows, 1 for gaming and 1 for working kinda stinks :\

Any word on a timeline for a new release of Parallels that lets us use the Bootcamped isntallation?