This is the recommended memory allocation for Windows 7 (64-bit), at least according to Parallels. We thought it was a good idea to test with this memory level, because it's likely to be the option for many users.
- Microsoft Word For Mac Change Font Color
- Parallels For Mac Change Memory Allocation
- Outlook 2016 For Mac Change Password
Parallels allows you to run Windows and Mac applications side by side. Choose your view to make Windows invisible while still using its applications, or keep the familiar Windows background and controls on your Mac.
Now Supporting Windows 10 and ready for El Capitan
Microsoft Word For Mac Change Font Color
- Run Windows 10 and OS X® El Capitan with ease. Use Microsoft Cortana®, your virtual assistant, on your Mac. Switch from your PC to your Mac
- We make it easy to get all of your files, applications, browser bookmarks, and more from your PC to your Mac; just follow the setup assistant.
Works with Boot Camp®
- Reuse your existing Boot Camp installation. Converting a virtual machine from Boot Camp is now much easier and more intuitive than ever.
- Further, Parallels' Image Tool was updated to allow one to change their virtual hard disk format between plain and expanding. Parallels Explorer was updated to allow for one to automatically mount an offline VM hard drive to the Mac desktop.
- In case of power surges/failures with the Mac, Mac's unpredictable restarts or third-party applications interventions, during the operations with the virtual hard drive may result in its corruption result in in the inability to use the virtual machine.
- Aug 09, 2013 I have a 2011 Mac Mini and I'm about to purchase a MacBookPro and wanted to be able to run some of my work related Windows based software on the Mac's using Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac.
- Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows 30+ tools in a lightweight, powerful, all-in-one application for Mac ® and PC. Easy to use and economical—a whole suite of tools for a fraction of the cost of individual apps, packaged in one simple interface.
Not just for Windows
- Run a wide array of operating systems including OS X, Windows 10, 8.1 & 7, Linux, and Google ChromeTM. You can run just about anything on your Mac!
One-click tuning
- Select productivity, games, design, or development, and Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac will optimize your virtual machine settings and performance for you.
Robust Performance
- Parallels Desktop Pro Edition gives your virtual machines more processing power. Up to 64 GB vRAM and 16 vCPUs per virtual machine lets you run even the most demanding applications with ease.
Business Class Software
- Keep IT in control of end user licenses and Windows virtual machines with a Unified Volume License Key, centralized license management, and advanced security features available in Parallels Desktop Business Edition.
Compare Parallels Desktop Pro and Business Edition you can here
Parallels For Mac Change Memory Allocation
Running Windows within a virtual machine (VM) on a Mac has always required planning. Users must choose the virtual environment (VMware and Parallels are two leading options), the Windows version, and the applications (including Office productivity tools) required within the Windows installation. Although virtualization solutions continue to become more efficient, easier to load, and simpler to operate, users must still allocate and fine-tune the resources necessary to properly power the Windows virtual machine.
When my office changed professional services automation software, I installed Windows 8.1 Professional and Office Professional Plus 2013 within a VMware Fusion 6 VM. My MacBook Pro — a mid 2012 system running OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), a 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU, 8 GB RAM, an Intel HD Graphics 4000 video card, and a 750 GB SATA hard drive — is a common business model. Further, my need to run Windows 8.1, Office, and a single vertical application is a common business challenge for many Mac users.
Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 64-bit OS system requirements specify a GHz CPU, 1 GB RAM, and 20 GB of disk space. Microsoft’s Office 2013 32-bit requirements specify similar resources, including a 1 GHz CPU, 1 GB RAM, and 3 GB of free disk space. The Windows vertical application, meanwhile, calls for a Pentium D CPU, 3 GB RAM, and 50 MB of free disk space.
When I initially configured Windows 8.1 within the VMware Fusion VM, I allocated a single CPU core and 20 GB of disk space to the Windows installation, knowing that I wouldn’t be storing files or other data within the VM. I also dedicated 3 GB RAM to the VM, believing that would prove sufficient for running a clean Windows install with a single application typically active. I ran the vertical application within the VM for several weeks that way, and it mostly worked well. Windows booted quickly and the PSA program functioned properly.
But following the installation of Windows updates and Office patches, performance began suffering noticeably. A quick check confirmed the problem; insufficient resources were dedicated to the Windows VM, which had exhausted all available disk space. Windows 8.1, Office 2013, and my organization’s 50 MB PSA tool had consumed 20 GB of disk space. Adding an additional 5 GB of disk space addressed the free space and page file problem.
While making the change, which VMware makes easy (just click Virtual Machine, select Settings, choose Hard Disk, move the slider to the right to increase the disk space dedicated to the Windows VM, and click Apply), I began thinking about the way I used my Mac. I suggest other Mac users do the same.
When configuring the Windows 8.1 VM, I allocated 3 GB RAM to the Windows machine, wanting to reserve remaining resources for OS X. Yet, whenever I use the Windows VM to access my organization’s PSA program, that program becomes my focus. If I’m actively accessing the Windows application, I don’t need multiple other OS X programs active, and neither do many other users who load a Windows VM in order to access a single Windows-based program. In such cases, users can do as I did and increase the Windows RAM allocation. Again, VMware makes it easy. Just click Virtual Machine, choose Settings, click Processors and Memory, and move the memory slider to the right. Boosting the Windows 8.1 VM’s RAM resources to 4 GB resulted in better, more fluid Windows application performance.
Consider dedicating one CPU core, 20 GB disk space, and 4 GB RAM when loading Windows 8.1, Microsoft Office, and a typical Windows-based business application within the VM. If you’re going to be storing photographs, videos, databases, and other files within the Windows VM, then allocate additional disk space. I recommend always ensuring the VM possesses 5 GB of free disk space to enable storing new files and updates and providing adequate page file space. Fortunately, as reviewed above, VMware makes it easy to adjust the disk space allocations after the fact, should the need arise.
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If you run a more demanding Windows application, such as a three-dimensional drawing tool or a database-intensive program, consider purchasing a more powerful Mac. Seek a model possessing a discrete video card (to minimize burdening system RAM for video graphics operations), which can’t easily be added to an iMac or laptop with only integrated video. Also seek a quad-core CPU and 16 GB RAM to ensure sufficient resources can be dedicated to the more demanding Windows environment. An SSD drive is another recommended (but expensive) upgrade, as the faster technology (vs. the SATA counterpart) improves read/write performance.
What recommendation would you make when configuring a VM on a Mac to run Windows applications? Share your experience and advice in the discussion thread below.