Why boot camp?

[Jaysen]

I am awaiting my MBP 17" that will be replacing several systems (Linux, Solx86, and WinBlows). I have heard lots of opinions but few facts as to why I would want to dual/tri/quad/sep boot instead of using VM (Parallels). I have had excellent success with VM on x86 BSD (which at the end of the day is the OSX kernel) as well as other platforms.

What is the driving TECHNICAL factor for bootcamp over VM?

As a follow up to that is anyone multi booting and VM'ing in a non-OSX host OS?

Thanks.

[Kyle Nilson]

The technical factor from my experience is complete, native access to system components, namely the graphics card. If you have to have something perform like it would on hardware, dualboot.

However, Boot Camp only works on internal drive partitions and, from my experience only lets you dualboot from one other partition. Other, more complicated solutions require tinkering, which while possible, isn't as convenient as straight virtualization.

Virtualization is beneficial because, in the event a system goes wrong, you can either restore on the spot from an image, or you can delete and start fresh, no harm done to your disk drive. It is also easy as pie to set up for any OS.

Have fun!

[Conner]

I used to use Boot Camp, but I ran out of space on my internal, and didn't find a way to dual-boot with the other image on the external hard drive. So, I just put the VM on the external hard drive, and use it that way. It's also much more convenient, but I would rather have the ability to install more partitions in Boot Camp, but on the external

[Dan Booring]

There really isn't a stong reason to use BootCamp over Parallels As a matter of fact, Mac Specialists at Apple Retail stores recommend Parallels over BootCamp.

[Jaysen]

I intend to use the mac for all the real AV stuff and only use the Vm for required tools (stuck with outlook and a couple of Linux/Solaris apps). Nothing actually requires a "real" video card. Seeing that I need 4 OS and none really uses direct video access I think Parallels is the way to go.

As Kyle mentioned earlier, I might give bootcamp a shot just to say that I did it.

Thanks.

[v00]

When you need unencumbered access to your systems resources, Bootcamp is the way to go. I keep an XP partition on my drive just for gaming. I love my Mac, but the gaming has yet to match the same level as the PC world. But especially on mutliplayer FPSs Bootcamp rocks. Basically it turns your Mac into a high end PC laptop.

Parallels is great, but you won't get near the performance you will with Bootcamp. The upside with Parallels is the integration between Windows/Unix and your Mac. Here lately we've been having to support alot of FTP client issues from about 30 different FTP clients, 2/3rds of which are on PCs. Parallels was nice because it allowed us to keep our OS X software up, while stepping people through their PC FTP client.

So, if you can't have both, just as yourself if performance or integration is more important to you. For what you do, I would say use Parallels or other VM solution. Now if you decide you want to do all the AV stuff in Windows, Bootcamp will be the way you want to go.

[Automatic]

It really depends on what you are using your "other" OS for. Like V00 mentioned, dual booting for gaming is a good example. The advantages to bootcamp are the OS booting get all your hardware resources including ram and video card. I personally need it for the post-production industry where parallels wont cut it. But it depends on your situation, and parallels is a great VM tool.

[lynda1234]

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