Parallels vs PC

I have been running Macs since 2011. I now have a bunch of them at home since they refuse to die!

My current user is a 13” 2019 MacBook Pro (1Tb and 16Gb). I travel with a 11” MacBook Air. And at home there are two 2011 MacBook Pros, one used by my wife as a desktop, and the other is my original user, which is the subject of my question.

As seen, I do not need to purchase another laptop. However, I have two Nova machines in the workshop, a Saturn lathe and a Voyager drill press. Both these are essentially computers run with software, and the software needs to be updated periodically. The issue is that the software is only available for Windows.

I really do not wish to purchase another laptop, even though cheap Windows-based machines are available. Cheap here being in the $250-350 range. The other alternative is to add Parallels to my original MacBook Pro (which I keep as a backup machine for my work/user laptop). Parallels costs around $110.

Pros and cons from the knowledgeable?

I do have some experience with Parallels back in 2011, when I migrated from Windows to Mac. Back then it was a little clunky. 8 years on ...?

Regards from Prague

Derek

I don't have any experience with "Parallels" but have used "VirtualBox" on Windows and Linux PCs.

This link might give you some ideas to follow up on:
VMware Vs VirtualBox Vs Parallels: Which One To Choose On Mac?

Why not use Bootcamp that’s in the Mac OS. Install Windows and you have the option to boot into either operating system.

On top of that $110 you will also need to buy a Windows license - another $140 or more depending on the edition. Hardware support for things like USB passthrough from the Virtual machine can be problematic, and you will need that for Nova update purposes. I suspect you will find this an exercise in frustration. Parallels is fine for running software - less so when hardware is involved.

For not much more than these licence costs, you can buy a cheap Win laptop. Just leave it in the shop full time to avoid getting your nice Macs all dusty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apple8

Why not use Bootcamp that’s in the Mac OS. Install Windows and you have the option to boot into either operating system.

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Hint: For a trial MS allows a download of Win10 before activation and payment. There are a few restrictions and a nag watermark. When you’re satisfied that it works it will be activated with a digital licensed upon payment otherwise delete it and go with another option.

I’ve gone mac like you, Derek.

I’ve always used VMWare - possibly just because it was what I had used with a charity organisation before. It works well.

On the hardware side, I’ve used VMware running various bits of maker-type software to program, test and update various flavours of Arduino and have always got it to work... eventually. It does depend on how much time you want to spend on those little frustrations - as Ross suggests.

I’d go with the bootcamp option suggested. -this will depend on you having enough hard drive space on your old machine for a windows install, and you may still have issues with the mac hardware talking to strange machines. But it’s worth a try

You could find a member close to you with a windows laptop to pop around and update your machines for you, I can't see them having too many updates where this would become a chore

Rick