Virtual Box or Boot Camp and What Flavor of Windows?

[Grumpyguy]

I'm going to go the free route here, so Bootcamp or Virtual Box?

And what version of Windows? XP (isn't that like a million years old) or Vista.

And are there any deals out there for on a full install of Windows?

Thanks,

Bryan

[jdc]

depends on what you need it for?

you could also try crossover, but it didnt work all that well for me

bootcamp isnt free, you still need windblows, about $100, try newegg

[volcs0]

What are your windows needs?

I've done a lot with Wine - and Codeweaver's Crossover (was free a few weeks back, but still a bargain)

I would stick with XP. I've yet to hear of any reason to go Vista, and it will slow down anything you are trying to do, from what I've seen.

VMWare Fusion is nearly free ($15AR here until 12/31). I would do that, if you want to really want to virtualize windows. Booting into bootcamp is a pain.
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?Redir=1&description=VMware-Fusion+1.0+for+Mac+with+a+free+upgrade+to+version+2.0-Utilities+Software&dpno=7721087

[Seacrest]

If you need sound or the numeric keyboard in your virtual machine, VirtualBox is not there yet, otherwise it's pretty good for a free app.

[olnacl]

volcs0 wrote:
What are your windows needs?

I've done a lot with Wine - and Codeweaver's Crossover (was free a few weeks back, but still a bargain)

I would stick with XP. I've yet to hear of any reason to go Vista, and it will slow down anything you are trying to do, from what I've seen.

VMWare Fusion is nearly free ($15AR here until 12/31). I would do that, if you want to really want to virtualize windows. Booting into bootcamp is a pain.
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?Redir=1&description=VMware-Fusion+1.0+for+Mac+with+a+free+upgrade+to+version+2.0-Utilities+Software&dpno=7721087

Ditto on XP. But I beg to differ on the Fusion/Parallels opinion. I have both (ver 3 of Parallels). I like Parallels least, Fusion only somewhat better and I'll happily reboot for Boot Camp. On the other hand, when I need to use Windows (thank God, not often - and less since I got laid off) I use it for a few hours, so a reboot is no big deal to me. YMMV, of course.

[gabester]

I have used Boot Camp, Parallels, VMWare Fusion, and VBox. Boot Camp has the advantage of being native hardware execution, but is the most cumbersome for occasional Windows usage. Parallels is supposed to have the best integration with Mac OS - i.e. making the execution of Windows apps seem almost transparent and like a part of OS X - better for a highly task oriented workflow requiring OS X and Windows. VMWare I've found to be more reliable, and really, I prefer the discrete separation of primary OS and virtual OS. VBox is pretty good as a free alternative but is not terribly user friendly and has very little in the way of OS integration.

I've used CrossOver to a limited extent and find it satisfactory if somewhat cumbersome, WHEN things work for it.

Its going to depend on your needs.
g=

[Speedy]

Is computer hardware integration (Apple's out-of-the-box computer hardware, especially the new laptop track pads, iSight, etc.) less of an issue with any of these? I assume Boot Camp works the best?

[simonm]

Two very recent macworld articles worth a brief look - fairly mediocre reviews as per macworld. They depend on advertising so I get the impression they are never very critical.

Comparsion of 3 vms - no boot camp
http://www.macworld.com/article/137305/choosevm.html

Virtual box review
http://www.macworld.com/article/137594/2...albox.html

[olnacl]

Speedy wrote:
Is computer hardware integration (Apple's out-of-the-box computer hardware, especially the new laptop track pads, iSight, etc.) less of an issue with any of these? I assume Boot Camp works the best?

Regarding Boot Camp, the only issue I had was right clicking on my MBP - easily solved with a 2 button mouse and there's likely a work around using the track pad that I'm unaware of. Since I use the MBP with the lid down, external monitor, KB and mouse I don't have much experience dealing with trackpad issues. Oh, and since I use a M$ keyboard, booting requires holding the Alt key rather than the Windows (Option) key. Bluetooth is a bit funky too, but I believe that's a bluetooth / Windows thing rather than a Boot Camp thing. I use a plain wireless MS KB and mouse. Also, at one point I had to go through some Windows hoops to see my 30" monitor after I made some big change to the Windows environment. It was a minor PITA but thought I'd mention it.

[Speedy]

olnacl, good info, thanks!!