Parallels or Virtual PC?

[fryke]

That all was clarified in the first answer, I guess. Parallels needs RAM. You'll run two operating systems (plus apps for each) side by side. So if you think you'd want 1 GB if you were only running OS X and, say 640 MB if you only ran Windows, you'll want 1.6 GB, i.e. 2 GB on that MacBook Pro.

I see you have 1.5 GB of RAM. I'd try it with that. You can tell your Parallels' virtual machine to only use 512 MB RAM or maybe even go as low as 384 MB.

The CPU, of course, is also shared. And whenever one app in either OS maxes out the CPU use, not much will be left for the rest. Still: It's a very good solution.

[Macjen]

Thanks, and your recommendation is very valuable. That means if I want to run the Windows with a bit power, I's better to add to 2G then. Another question, say if I tell the Windows to use 512 and Mac OS to use 1G, will this configuration be fixed like this? What I mean is when I'm not using both os at the same time, just Mac OS, will it be back to use 1.5G?
Thanks!

[Macjen]

No it didn't.....so that means it should be fine. Thanks!

[fryke]

Hm? Well: If you quit Parallels, the RAM is free again. For Mac OS X, Parallels looks just like any other application. For Windows (within Parallels), it doesn't actually look like something else is using anything. You simply define what the virtual machine "has".

[Macjen]

Hi fryke,
Do you know a way or a button to turn off the screen on a MacBook Pro when using an external monitor? I don't want both displays on at the same time.
Thanks.

[fryke]

Hm. You could choose mirroring, so the internal display shows the same thing as the external, and then simply turn the brightness down on the MacBook Pro. If you have an external keyboard and mouse, you can also run it lid-closed by waking the computer up with the external keyboard while the lid is closed. (And then re-open the lid for better airflow once the computer is running.)

[Macjen]

Thanks again. It sounds like the attached screen can't be off totally, doesn't it? Hmmmmmm, a little deficiency! Shouldn't say this in a Mac forum, but my previous PC notebook can choose attached display, external display, or both together.

[guapagirl]

I need to run SPSS in my new intel macbook. Do I need to Parallels as well? Someone told me that because it is an intel mac it could run microsoft based programmes like SPSS. Please help, I'm really confused and I need to be up and running by monday! :teers: