2012 MBP, Dual boot with windows 7? or VM?

hopeful_builder

hopeful_builder

hopeful_builder

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13 Feb 2012
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Hi all,

I have just bought my first ever mac. A mid 2012 13" MBP.

Its only has the standard 4GB RAM, but I have ordered a 16GB Kit.

My question is, I would to still be abel to use windows 7 on it if possible?
don't get me wrong OSX is lovely but theres still certain things I would like to able to do in W7.

I have a windows 7 disc, along with COA for it. whats the best way to go about it without jeopardising what I already have loaded on?

Or am I best to run a VM under windows 7? (once I get my RAM upgrade of course)

Thanks in advance.
 
What work are you going to be doing? Anything intensive? And will you be switching between OS X and Windows applications?

If the latter, VM. Otherwise, you might as well Boot Camp.
 
I run windows 7 occasionally so I set it up as a VM. I need to run multiple VM's so I use parallels but you can use virtualbox, which is free so it doesn't need to cost extra.
 
You can do both. If you bootcamp Win 7 you can also VM the same installation so all your software/docs are in sync. VM when you just need the basics or quickly access something and bootcamp when you if/when you need to do anything more intensive.

Edit: VMWare/Parallels are much of a muchness. I have licenses for both but prefer VM Ware as Parallels release paid upgrades like clockwork every year where as VMWare licenses normally go further. Also if you have more than one Mac Parallels is licensed per machine. VMWare is licensed to a user so can be installed on multiple Mac's.

Otherwise give Oracle's free Virtual Box a go.
 
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nothing intense at all. I just need some of the functionality of windows 7 when I pop over a friends and want to drag and drop files from their computers, or say burn the odd dvd off.

I know it sounds silly, but a majority of the time I will be using OSX, I just want to be able to pop back now and again to W7 as / when required.

Is the VM thing easy to do? Will I have to partition the hard drive at all?

thanks for all your replies so far. As a total noob when it comes to apple I really do feel lost at the moment. what better way to learn then throw yourself at the deep end (and ask the experts;))
 
You only need to partition for bootcamp. A Virtual Machine is just a file on your mac that contains everything:

Image%202012.12.30%2018:35:16.png
 
Thank you :)

Just started installing Win 7 now. I cant believe how easy it is.

I'm assuming that when I upgrade my memory it will auto detect the upgrade and I can assign more to the VM as and when?
 
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