Downsides to Parallels?

Cirrus

So, for those of you who don't know, Parallels is a program that allows you to run Windows and Mac OSX on top of each other (for instance, the windows Taskbar will be on one side of your screen, while the Mac OS takes up everything else.)

My only question here is, would installing this bring with it all of the downsides associated with Windows? (For instance, slower boot-time, higher succeptability to virii/ad/spyware, etc.), or would these downsides not be an issue? Also, while I know that one would be able to run PROGRAMS that only run in windows, what about things like a Nintendo Wi-Fi dongle that only runs on a Windows OS?

I feel like it'd be much easier if I could simply run all of these things from my Macbook Pro, but it's my baby, and I don't want Windows to come along and hurt it, particularly when I have another PC laptop that I can just as easily bring along with me and leave running under my bed or something for things like the Wi-Fi dongle. But if the downsides that I'm worried about aren't an issue, I'll go ahead and install Parallels.

So guys, any advice?

Seattle Thread

First, "virii" is not a word. Stop using this goddamn non-word, everybody.

Second, the whole "Windows is slow and buggy lololz" is a bit outdated. It's Apple mudslinging, for sure, but with SP2 and a few choice third-party programs (different web brower, different firewall, Spybot/Ad-Aware) it's plenty safe.

Third, running two OSes at once is not going to cause any interference between the two. Programs designed for Windows aren't going to run on OSX, and vice-versa--they won't even be recognized as such. However, it's going to tax the hell out of your hardware, and probably make everything boggy.

I'd give it a shot. It's not going to hurt anything, and if it doesn't work the way that you like, then you can uninstall it and go with the PC-under-the-bed.

stigweard

Parallels is virtualization software. You will not be running nearly sa fast as natively through dual booting. You'll also lose the ability to play newer games because the gfx card it emulates isn't really very good. Apparently they are going to do the gfx work natively with the hardware at some point, but right now it doesn't.

supabeast

The downsides right now are limited hardware capabilities—if you want to use anything other than your keyboard, you have to play with their funky betas, some of which have horrible stability issues. So if you want to use any external devices or do any 3D stuff, it's mostly a waste of time right now.

Arminas

Cirrus wrote:

My only question here is, would installing this bring with it all of the downsides associated with Windows? (For instance, slower boot-time, higher succeptability to virii/ad/spyware, etc.), or would these downsides not be an issue? Also, while I know that one would be able to run PROGRAMS that only run in windows, what about things like a Nintendo Wi-Fi dongle that only runs on a Windows OS?

Simple answer: No it will not bring the associated downsides. And many hardware-oriented programs will not run well in Parallels (i.e. games and your Nintendo Wi-Fi dongle)

A little less so: As stated previously, Parallels will run Windows in a virtual environment. It will be susceptible to viruses, spyware, etc. IF and ONLY IF you expose it to said problems. Parallels allows you to customize what pieces of Mac hardware the emulated OS will have access to. If you don't give it net access, then it can't access the internet but it will more than likely not be molested. Also, slower boot times aren't going to be an issues because it is running in an enclosed environment.

As of now, Parallels hardware support is somewhat lacking, it doesn't support that many different USB devices and I doubt it will ever run games right. But honestly, what is it that you need to do in Windows that you can't do on your MBP? (Nintendo dongle aside, it isn't supported for the Mac right now...) We do have a Mac thread under G&T and there's also an awesome mac thread over at AppleGeeks. Though, I'm sure many of us are happy to answer questions as well.

EDIT: Oh wait, there is one downside to it... the giant install of Windows XP eating up your HD space (I have a Macbook and didn't spring for a super big drive). And another note, if you do end up screwing up your XP install on your MBP through Parallels, it's okay. You can just delete the virtual hard drive that holds Windows XP and make a new one.

blanknogo

I don't know anything about Parallels, but you don't even need Windows or a Wi-fi dongle to put your DS on the internet (if thats what you use it for). You can use the internet sharing ability of your Macbook Pro to share a wireless or wired connection that your DS can use.

Here's a link to Mac OSX hints that has the instructions.