I have a macbook pro and I've been using Autocad with Parallels for quite a while, with no problems. I would now like to add Revit and Rhino; would you recommend me to keep using Parallels, or should I rather use Bootcamp and partition my laptop??
One of the things I like the most about Parallels is that it's so easy to transfer files, so I'm always on the leopard environment. I HATE WINDOWS and I would hate to go back 5 years in history and be spending 70% of my time in windows. On the other hand, it is evident that having so many and heavy programs on parallels would probably slow down my laptop and therefore my efficiency.
now see, you can have both! partition your drive and install windows with boot camp. Then you can restart and run windows at full native speed. The sweet thing is that you can also install Parallels or VMWare, and point it to your windows partition. Then you can run windows in emulation without leaving OSX, or if it's too slow for you, you can restart and run it full speed!
I'm very interested in this thread. About to start MArch 1, and would like to stay in OSX environment. Thinking MBP, but unsure whether to run Bootcamp, Parallels, or as agfa8x said, run both. (Or VMware--don't know much about it yet.) Any insight into this is helpful. I've heard MBPs run very hot when using Parallels. Any truth in this, or more importantly, any actual physical damage witnessed?
when running windows native through boot camp, there is absolutely no difference from running windows on a pc. the hardware is absolutely standard pc hardware, except for the buttonless trackpad and a couple of slight differences in keyboard layout. no overheating issues when running in windows.
when running in parallels or vmware (what i use, myself), you are running windows on top of osx. this is more resource-intensive for the computer, so it may get warm - but not abnormally so (the older MBPs run warmer than the new ones IME). this runs slower than rebooting into windows, but it is fine for lots of things - even basic use of 3ds studio or rhino.
setting up a separate partition for windows using bootcamp is what i would recommend, because you get the best of both worlds. you could, howevr, install it in parallels or vmware first if you wanted to get a feel for how it would work.
parallels, vmware, not much difference. both have trial versions you can download.
Not to go off on a tangent, but before going to the trouble of running Revit via Parallels did you consider ArchiCAD for BIM and staying in OSX? Rhino is on the way for OSX, too (beta is now available).
i'm riddling my MBP situation out as well for the fall.
i've heard bootcamp is the best option; however, the one downside is that once you partition your drive, if you need to reallocate more resources to one side (windows or osx) you have to completely wipe the drive and start from scratch. not a huge deal if you have a backup hard drive, but an inconvenience none the less. most of the people ive spoken with have immediately pointed me to bootcamp.
have any current users had trouble running rhino on your MBP in conjunction with other programs? seems like it would max the machine out...
rhino has a beta version for the mac OS available on their website.
autoCAD is also talking about releasing a version for the mac OS.
sketch up is on mac.
adobe does mac.
i say by next year parallels and bootcamp won't be necessary at all.
I do prefer parallels because i don't have to restart my computer every time i want to switch back and forth. It may run a bit slower but that what you get when you are too lazy to quit all your programs and reboot.
the mac beta of rhino is good, but its not really ready for serious work. there are lots of features not implemented yet. the only resources you have to allocate windows is a bit of hard drive space. if you don't use it, you aren't losing anything - you won't slow your machine down at all.
I agree about mac rhino... it's getting there; its much better now than it was a year ago (it used to crash much more and didn't have nearly any commands or windows implemented, there's still lots missing) but its still a long way from getting my stamp of approval. What I wind up using it for more than anything is importing models from windows rhino and letting it sit to run make-2d's while I do other things on my PC. tends to be a very efficient way to work.
There is an option when using Bootcamp that will allow you to transfer files between the HFS (Mac) and FAT (Windows) partitions with ease. On the windows side, install MacDrive. On the Mac side, follow the directions on http://www.daniel-johnson.org/ I've done this without issues.
just viruses in general, the 60,000+ possibilities out there for windows vs. the 40+ for OSX. in the past it has been unpleasant dealing with windows security software, and i step back into that world with trepidation. i'd like to hear how mac-centric people deal with working in windows for arch stuff in this regard.
that's funny i was just trying to find some information for my window security and I came here LOOL
So that's why you should never trust any computer no ;)
Sorry if my comment does not hundret percent fint into this topic - but it's not my bad heheh
oco, i guess i sort of have the same question - but I'm planning on running vmware -- if I am still doing all my web-browsing in the mac side, i just assumed i would still maintain some amount of immunity. or maybe i'm being horribly naive in my thinking!
Since there aren't too many pro-parallels folks, I'll add my experience.
I have used 3DsMax, Revit 2010, Rhino, Autocad 2010 & Autocad LT 2009 using Parallels and it has been smooth sailing. You simply must start a new session whenever you open the program (specifically 3dsmax, which might require you to switch from Coherence to Window mode to get the grid showing).
Why do I prefer Parallels? Everyone who ran bootcamp and shared files via USB stick in my school's lab got some sort of virus. I didn't have to deal with it even though I shared a USB stick every so often with a professor.
Right now I am running LT '09, Safari and iTunes-my computer is at 51*C @ 5525 rpm. Barely warm to the touch of the keyboard. Revit and 3dsmax are more intense, but I've started using smcFanControl and I don't register a difference between the above mentioned software on Parallels or OSX-native Photoshop.
So the general consensus is that the Mac can handle Revit just as well nowadays?
If you were going to get a new laptop for heavy Revit-ing but have never really used mac, would this be a frustrating venture? Or a refreshing success?
(i'm not trying to start a mac vs. pc thing, just curious.)
I have found that Revit runs much better in Bootcamp. A common issue with Parallels is that it uses a virtual driver for the graphics card. Sometimes Revit will give an error message "Some features may not be fully supported by the video card and driver on this computer". You can ignore this message though.
Although I've seen Revit running perfectly happy in both, Bootcamp has slightly fewer issues.
Thom - Even as an Apple fanboi, for Revit, go PC. and for "heavy Reviting" go desktop.
i agree, bootcamp. i've been running rhino and autocad together no problem, while a studiomate has trouble with rhino alone on parallels.
another question, to bring this thread up into 2010--does anyone have any advice on an mbp running hot with bootcamp, windows vista. is it the vista? does anyone know if windows 7 would help? pretty much know matter what programs i'm running, as soon as it boots into windows the fan starts a-runnin and doesn't stop until i shut down.
Yeah I have read about some BIOS fixes to that issue... But personally I havn't had much of a problem. The only thing I have noticed is there is only one or two fan speeds on Windows side (I am running Windows 7 64bit on my MBP). When I run Revit or a game (like TF2) the fan cranks... When I don't run it, the fan is barely on. No in between really. I have the nvidia gadget to monitor the graphics temp and i monitor the CPU temp too (usually with high graphics programs its at a stable 80C and normal running temp is around 65-70C) these are relatively high but seem to be fine.
for transferring files..if you have snow leopard, the newest update allows u to copy files from each side..pc u can copy files over from ur mac, and vice versa. so u don't have to restart your computer..
if you really want to use parallels... just install it after u setup bootcamp, and point the drive to your bootcamp drive. the only problem is that there might be software activation issues, cuz it sees it as as a separate installtion..
rhino for mac is getting there..but there's still some stuff that doesn't work..
Jul 19, 10 4:19 am ·
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Parallels or Bootcamp??
I have a macbook pro and I've been using Autocad with Parallels for quite a while, with no problems. I would now like to add Revit and Rhino; would you recommend me to keep using Parallels, or should I rather use Bootcamp and partition my laptop??
One of the things I like the most about Parallels is that it's so easy to transfer files, so I'm always on the leopard environment. I HATE WINDOWS and I would hate to go back 5 years in history and be spending 70% of my time in windows. On the other hand, it is evident that having so many and heavy programs on parallels would probably slow down my laptop and therefore my efficiency.
What do you reckon??
Bootcamp.
I run Parallels, and it *#%(s my computer every single time I launch it.
I've run windows since '83 and it *#%(s my computer every time I run it.
VMware works fine.
No problems here with Autocad or Rhino
now see, you can have both! partition your drive and install windows with boot camp. Then you can restart and run windows at full native speed. The sweet thing is that you can also install Parallels or VMWare, and point it to your windows partition. Then you can run windows in emulation without leaving OSX, or if it's too slow for you, you can restart and run it full speed!
I'm very interested in this thread. About to start MArch 1, and would like to stay in OSX environment. Thinking MBP, but unsure whether to run Bootcamp, Parallels, or as agfa8x said, run both. (Or VMware--don't know much about it yet.) Any insight into this is helpful. I've heard MBPs run very hot when using Parallels. Any truth in this, or more importantly, any actual physical damage witnessed?
when running windows native through boot camp, there is absolutely no difference from running windows on a pc. the hardware is absolutely standard pc hardware, except for the buttonless trackpad and a couple of slight differences in keyboard layout. no overheating issues when running in windows.
when running in parallels or vmware (what i use, myself), you are running windows on top of osx. this is more resource-intensive for the computer, so it may get warm - but not abnormally so (the older MBPs run warmer than the new ones IME). this runs slower than rebooting into windows, but it is fine for lots of things - even basic use of 3ds studio or rhino.
setting up a separate partition for windows using bootcamp is what i would recommend, because you get the best of both worlds. you could, howevr, install it in parallels or vmware first if you wanted to get a feel for how it would work.
parallels, vmware, not much difference. both have trial versions you can download.
absolutely no risk of physical damage.
Not to go off on a tangent, but before going to the trouble of running Revit via Parallels did you consider ArchiCAD for BIM and staying in OSX? Rhino is on the way for OSX, too (beta is now available).
i'm riddling my MBP situation out as well for the fall.
i've heard bootcamp is the best option; however, the one downside is that once you partition your drive, if you need to reallocate more resources to one side (windows or osx) you have to completely wipe the drive and start from scratch. not a huge deal if you have a backup hard drive, but an inconvenience none the less. most of the people ive spoken with have immediately pointed me to bootcamp.
have any current users had trouble running rhino on your MBP in conjunction with other programs? seems like it would max the machine out...
rhino has a beta version for the mac OS available on their website.
autoCAD is also talking about releasing a version for the mac OS.
sketch up is on mac.
adobe does mac.
i say by next year parallels and bootcamp won't be necessary at all.
I do prefer parallels because i don't have to restart my computer every time i want to switch back and forth. It may run a bit slower but that what you get when you are too lazy to quit all your programs and reboot.
Ok, I guess I'll look ahead to these mac os versions, at least for now.
Thanks for all the comments!
i'm interested in the Parallels vs. VMware Fusion conversation as well. Anybody have any opinions?
the mac beta of rhino is good, but its not really ready for serious work. there are lots of features not implemented yet. the only resources you have to allocate windows is a bit of hard drive space. if you don't use it, you aren't losing anything - you won't slow your machine down at all.
rhino runs brilliant in windows on a macbook.
I agree about mac rhino... it's getting there; its much better now than it was a year ago (it used to crash much more and didn't have nearly any commands or windows implemented, there's still lots missing) but its still a long way from getting my stamp of approval. What I wind up using it for more than anything is importing models from windows rhino and letting it sit to run make-2d's while I do other things on my PC. tends to be a very efficient way to work.
There is an option when using Bootcamp that will allow you to transfer files between the HFS (Mac) and FAT (Windows) partitions with ease. On the windows side, install MacDrive. On the Mac side, follow the directions on http://www.daniel-johnson.org/ I've done this without issues.
bootcamp.
been using it for 3 years without any issues.
much faster than parallels too.
but once mac rhino is out, i might not go back to windows outside of an office workstation.
maxwell
maya
rhino
creative suite.
that's enough to make things work for me.
when using bootcamp, are the windows security issues still a problem? i assume they are, but any ideas? how do you guys handle this?
Running windows on bootcamp is no different than having a windows-PC-based machine. What security issues are you pertaining to?
just viruses in general, the 60,000+ possibilities out there for windows vs. the 40+ for OSX. in the past it has been unpleasant dealing with windows security software, and i step back into that world with trepidation. i'd like to hear how mac-centric people deal with working in windows for arch stuff in this regard.
that's funny i was just trying to find some information for my window security and I came here LOOL
So that's why you should never trust any computer no ;)
Sorry if my comment does not hundret percent fint into this topic - but it's not my bad heheh
oco, i guess i sort of have the same question - but I'm planning on running vmware -- if I am still doing all my web-browsing in the mac side, i just assumed i would still maintain some amount of immunity. or maybe i'm being horribly naive in my thinking!
I just installed the autocad arch 2010 version on my parallels and it's slowing down everything sooo baaad...
Since there aren't too many pro-parallels folks, I'll add my experience.
I have used 3DsMax, Revit 2010, Rhino, Autocad 2010 & Autocad LT 2009 using Parallels and it has been smooth sailing. You simply must start a new session whenever you open the program (specifically 3dsmax, which might require you to switch from Coherence to Window mode to get the grid showing).
Why do I prefer Parallels? Everyone who ran bootcamp and shared files via USB stick in my school's lab got some sort of virus. I didn't have to deal with it even though I shared a USB stick every so often with a professor.
Right now I am running LT '09, Safari and iTunes-my computer is at 51*C @ 5525 rpm. Barely warm to the touch of the keyboard. Revit and 3dsmax are more intense, but I've started using smcFanControl and I don't register a difference between the above mentioned software on Parallels or OSX-native Photoshop.
I think this is because CS4-CS5 are soooo slow...
I had to go back to CS on my laptop.
So the general consensus is that the Mac can handle Revit just as well nowadays?
If you were going to get a new laptop for heavy Revit-ing but have never really used mac, would this be a frustrating venture? Or a refreshing success?
(i'm not trying to start a mac vs. pc thing, just curious.)
I have found that Revit runs much better in Bootcamp. A common issue with Parallels is that it uses a virtual driver for the graphics card. Sometimes Revit will give an error message "Some features may not be fully supported by the video card and driver on this computer". You can ignore this message though.
Although I've seen Revit running perfectly happy in both, Bootcamp has slightly fewer issues.
Thom - Even as an Apple fanboi, for Revit, go PC. and for "heavy Reviting" go desktop.
Boot Camp all the way... I have been using Boot Camp with Revit, CAD, Max, Ecotect, Navisworks, and so on....
Check out my blog and search for BootCamp of Macbook Pro and you will find some information about running these programs on a Mac:
http://therevitkid.blogspot.com/
i agree, bootcamp. i've been running rhino and autocad together no problem, while a studiomate has trouble with rhino alone on parallels.
another question, to bring this thread up into 2010--does anyone have any advice on an mbp running hot with bootcamp, windows vista. is it the vista? does anyone know if windows 7 would help? pretty much know matter what programs i'm running, as soon as it boots into windows the fan starts a-runnin and doesn't stop until i shut down.
I have seen this issue with other MB pros. I think it has to do with Windows not having as much control over the fan that OSX has.
download smcFanControl.
What kind of trouble do people have with parallels? It works golden for me!
Yeah I have read about some BIOS fixes to that issue... But personally I havn't had much of a problem. The only thing I have noticed is there is only one or two fan speeds on Windows side (I am running Windows 7 64bit on my MBP). When I run Revit or a game (like TF2) the fan cranks... When I don't run it, the fan is barely on. No in between really. I have the nvidia gadget to monitor the graphics temp and i monitor the CPU temp too (usually with high graphics programs its at a stable 80C and normal running temp is around 65-70C) these are relatively high but seem to be fine.
i think bootcamp would be the best choice.
for transferring files..if you have snow leopard, the newest update allows u to copy files from each side..pc u can copy files over from ur mac, and vice versa. so u don't have to restart your computer..
if you really want to use parallels... just install it after u setup bootcamp, and point the drive to your bootcamp drive. the only problem is that there might be software activation issues, cuz it sees it as as a separate installtion..
rhino for mac is getting there..but there's still some stuff that doesn't work..
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