Mac Mini and Parallels

I have seen a number of posts regarding the Mini and troubles with a certain Parallels Builds.

Question - I want to run parallels on a Mini. We will run just one program in Window XP and one probram on the Mac side. Special use.

Are there issues running Parallels on a Mini? This would be a new Mac, so are there certain specs or models of Minis that need to be avoided? Or is the problem, if any, just with Parallels or certain builds?

Tim

 

I have my Mini set with 2 gig of ram and dedicate about 900k to run just one VM at a time.

you can try build 5160, but I would make sure to set the VM to uses fixed memory size and turn off all eye candy and smart-select prior to running it.

if you want a more solid build your key will work with build 4560
http://download.parallels.com/v3/en/GA/Parallels-Desktop-4560-Mac-en.dmg

 

I have 4560 but this build term is a term I don't know much about.

Can one change from one to another; go forward, go back, pick and choose?

Tim

 

One more question to above.

How much memory on the computer do I need to run Parallels and one program in Parallels? I thought it might be as little as 1gig.

I don't need a fast machine for doing UPS shipments but I do not want to have it lag and I do need to get back over to the Mac side to use one program there.

Tim

 

In simple terms, a build is a sub-version/revision. So instead of V. 3.0.3 or whatever it would be Parallels just says Build 5160. You can move between them by un-installing the current build with the uninstaller you got with that build, and you can install a different build. Just make sure if you are doing this a lot you un-install Parallels tools prior to installing a new build, then install the tools once you have the new build is installed. Strange things have happened in the earlier versions. If you are upgrading, just use the installer.

As to the amount of memory, is a gig what you want to allocate? Unless you are using a program that eats up RAM in Windows, between 512-800MB tends to be the sweet spot in terms of memory. 1 GB of memory on the computer itself is a little small, and produces lag. I recommend 2 GB to people. 3 GB makes a day and night difference.

Does that answer your questions?

***Edited 09/22***
Error caught by dkp.

 

A build is a revision, not a version. Version 3.0, build 5160 isn't a different version than version 3.0, build 4160.

dp

 

So, I have Parallels on the purchased CD. Must come with a build. Mine current build is 4560 from July 17, 2007.

Given the date above, is this an old build? (I bought the software 3 weks ago). Is is always best to have the most recent build? Everything works great the way I now have it, but on a new iMac, not a Mini.

And if I want to change from build to build, where do I get them?

Tim

 

Tim,
about Mac Mini memory requirements: i have Mini with 1 Gb and it's more than necessary. I developing software and can simultaneously compiling at host Mac OS X system and at guest Windows VM for comprehensible time. Compile procedure requires a lot of system resources so on. Also i can to say that build 5160 brought much more better perfomance of guest Windows OS.

 

so I should upgrade to the 5160 build regarless of the computer I am running?

 

yes, i strongly recommend you to do so

 

Thanks everyone.

Tim