A quick Bootcamp question (Apple)

[Altecice]

Hey,

 

So im looking into the option of replacing my work laptop (HP 15" Windows 8.1) with the new Macbook Pro 13" (smaller, lighter and the 10h battery life will be great for me). --- My question is, will it be possible to take a complete clone of my work laptop (image etc) Can I use that with Bootcamp or will it need to be clean install?. Another option would be to use some sort of L2 Hypervisor and have my work laptop image run as a VM.

 

Thanks.

[ALwin]

You will need a clean install, Bootcamp is like creating a virtual machine, but unlike a virtual machine it doesn't need to share resources with a primary OS that is running at the same time.

[Stuff_]

You will need a clean install, Bootcamp is like creating a virtual machine, but unlike a virtual machine it has direct access to the hardware.

Bootcamp isn't like creating a virtual machine. You're running Windows natively on your hardware. 

 

Bootcamp allows a dual boot-like situation for WIndows and OS X. You shouldn't (or even can't, probably) clone a Windows drive and put that on your Macbook drive.

[ALwin]

snip

 

I'm telling the OP that Bootcamp of Windows cannot be created from a clone of a Windows installation.  Additionally, it is like installing a VM because you start the installation process from within OSX and not just relying on the boot disk and on system startup.

 

Additionally, with VMWare or other virtual machine tools, you can also run the Bootcamp installation of Windows within OSX as a VM.

 

And while Bootcamp is like a dual boot of Windows and OSX, and natively uses the hardware, some of the way it behaves is more like a VM.

[Altecice]

Additionally, with VMWare or other virtual machine tools, you can also run the Bootcamp installation of Windows within OSX as a VM.

 

So I could take a clone of my works Windows installation & make it run as a VM within OSX? This was my other question. Im well versed in everything except OSX.

[ALwin]

So I could take a clone of my works Windows installation & make it run as a VM within OSX? This was my other question. Im well versed in everything except OSX.

 

Yes if you the the virtual machine tool you use supports it.  Other than VMWare and Parallels, I don't know other VM creation tools that run on OSX.

[Stuff_]

If you want to do that, I suggest parallels or Fusion 8

[Altecice]

Yes if you the the virtual machine tool you use supports it.  Other than VMWare and Parallels, I don't know other VM creation tools that run on OSX.

 

VirtualBox is another option and its free. Not sure how "good it is".

[ALwin]

VirtualBox is another option and its free. Not sure how "good it is".

 

Should be good, I've just never used it before.

[Stuff_]

VirtualBox is another option and its free. Not sure how "good it is".

Well, except Parallels and VM Fusion are a superior product. They cost, but it's worth it.

[Altecice]

Should be good, I've just never used it before.

 

 

Well, except Parallels and VM Fusion are a superior product. They cost, but it's worth it.

 

 

Right so it looks as if I have two options.

 

1) Use Bootcamp to run native Windows 10 and then run a VM ontop of that, that holds my Works clone. (you may question the point in buying a Macbook then if Im using Windows) 

Side question again in option 1. Would running Bootcamp Windows 10 effect that "10 hour battery life claim by much?"

 

2) Use Parralels/Fusion to run a VM within OSX.

[ALwin]

snip

 

OK about battery life and power consumption, the answer is Yes and No.  I have a 15" Macbook Pro with the dedicated GPU, the 13" retina version doesn't come with one.  When I load Windows via Bootcamp, the battery life is not as long as the dedicated GPU is running.  Whilst in OSX it automatically switches between the Intel GPU and nVidia/AMD GPU depending on load and application that needs it.  So battery life may not be as long.  However the 13" model only has the Intel GPU, so maybe the battery life will not be cut as short.

 

If you install Windows via Bootcamp, and then use VMWare Fusion to make a virtual machine of that Bootcamp installation, you have two options:

• The VM will directly utilize the Bootcamp installation, so whatever change you make either in the VM or Bootcamp is reflected in the other.
• Or Fusion will ask if you want to make a clone of that Bootcamp installation so that you keep the Bootcamp version and VM version separate.

 

What do you need Windows for?  As the 13" Macbook Pro doesn't come with a dedicated GPU, I going to assume gaming is not a primary concern.

[Altecice]

OK about battery life and power consumption, the answer is Yes and No.  I have a 15" Macbook Pro with the dedicated GPU, the 13" retina version doesn't come with one.  When I load Windows via Bootcamp, the battery life is not as long as the dedicated GPU is running.  Whilst in OSX it automatically switches between the Intel GPU and nVidia/AMD GPU depending on load and application that needs it.  So battery life may not be as long.  However the 13" model only has the Intel GPU, so maybe the battery life will not be cut as short.

 

If you install Windows via Bootcamp, and then use VMWare Fusion to make a virtual machine of that Bootcamp installation, you have two options:

• The VM will directly utilize the Bootcamp installation, so whatever change you make either in the VM or Bootcamp is reflected in the other.
• Or Fusion will ask if you want to make a clone of that Bootcamp installation so that you keep the Bootcamp version and VM version separate.

 

What do you need Windows for?  As the 13" Macbook Pro doesn't come with a dedicated GPU, I going to assume gaming is not a primary concern.

 

Im a Network Consultant. It will be used as a Word processor (for documentation) and a terminal machine for configuration of networking equipment... I was looking at the 13" version with 16GB of RAM. 

[ALwin]

Im a Network Consultant. It will be used as a Word processor (for documentation) and a terminal machine for configuration of networking equipment... I was looking at the 13" version with 16GB of RAM. 

 

In that case I am not sure why you need Windows.  Apple actually includes their version of MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint called Pages, Numbers and Keynotes for free.  Or you can get an OSX version of MS Office.

 

As for configuring network equipment, OSX's terminal tool is more powerful than Window's command prompt.  Unless what you mean by "terminal configuration of networking equipment" uses applications and tools that specifically requires Windows.

[Altecice]

In that case I am not sure why you need Windows.  Apple actually includes their version of MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint called Pages, Numbers and Keynotes for free.  Or you can get an OSX version of MS Office.

 

As for configuring network equipment, OSX's terminal tool is more powerful than Window's command prompt.  Unless what you mean by "terminal configuration of networking equipment" uses applications and tools that specifically requires Windows.

 

I dont exactly need Windows but I do require a VM of some kind from my work laptop to get me access to my company domain / shares & licenced software. 

[ALwin]

I dont exactly need Windows but I do require a VM of some kind from my work laptop to get me access to my company domain / shares & licenced software. 

 

In that case don't even do a Bootcamp, a lite installation of Windows as a VM running inside OSX will be sufficient.  You can also try to access your company's machines with a VPN if you want from OSX.

[DrMacintosh]

In that case don't even do a Bootcamp, a lite installation of Windows as a VM running inside OSX will be sufficient.  You can also try to access your company's machines with a VPN if you want from OSX.

I agree, If that is all he needs he shouldnt spend time installing a bootcamp partition.