Boot Camp or Parallels

**vettejock99** · 05-20-2007, 03:34 PM

Just got my Mini and it rocks. I wanted to ask the group - for use as a carpc running Streetdeck or RoadRunner, what is the best, BC or Parallels? I will be using GPS, and a Carnetix for startup/shutdown, and this latter item would seem to be something each would handle differently, I presume. Also, can TinyXP be used for this purpose to speed us boot/resume? Thanks for any info.

**EnglandGreen** · 05-20-2007, 04:43 PM

With all due respect, if using BootCamp, why bother having a Mac at all? You'll be running Winblows the same as a Mini-ITX system.

I use Parallels which gives me Mac OSX with the functionality that is sadly lacking, decent working GPS software.

**natedawgg** · 05-20-2007, 05:57 PM

ok so i may **** some people off with this statment but oh well. i actually like windows just as much as the mac osx. im what you would call a hybrid user and use windows on a daily basis beside mac osx. in this situation however, i would have to agree with englandgreen. there isnt much point in having a mac in your car if you are just going to use bootcamp. osx responds much better to sleep/wake than windows. this keeps you from having to unplug and replug all your usb devices every time you wake up your computer. if you use parallels in cohernce mode you are essentially using your front end as a mac app. in my opinion this is the way to go.

**Bugbyte** · 05-20-2007, 06:42 PM

Au contraire. The Intel Mac Mini is an excellent all in one hardware value whether you run OSX or Windows on it.

If you are using it solely for running a frontend like Streetdeck in your car, it may be anathema to Mac users to buy an Apple box to run Windows, but its not a bad value hardware-wise.

**drakino** · 05-20-2007, 07:19 PM

If you plan on going the StreetDeck route, you will need to use BootCamp, or fall back to the non Direct3D accelerated interface. Parallels does not support Direct3D at all (currently), and the VMWare Beta does not run StreetDeck properly with their Direct3D emulation.

I was really tempted to go the Mini route just due to the flexibility of the hardware. OS X or Windows, small footprint, and well engineered. In the end I didn't want to fab a screen enclosure and mount the mini and went with the Infill G4 instead, but the Mini is still be at the top of my list for DIY.

**vettejock99** · 05-21-2007, 09:39 AM

THanks for the info, folks. I installed Parallels and I have RR and iGuidance working, although RR gives me a read error in the beginning and I am having a hard time getting it to launch Winamp 2.95 properly. Getting close though...Now to figure out how to best wire the Carnetix all the way from the trunk to the dahsh...

**vettejock99** · 05-21-2007, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by EnglandGreen

With all due respect, if using BootCamp, why bother having a Mac at all? You'll be running Winblows the same as a Mini-ITX system.

I use Parallels which gives me Mac OSX with the functionality that is sadly lacking, decent working GPS software.

EG - I notice your setup is virtually identical to mine, equipment-wise. What version of Winamp are you running? Car to give any tips on Parallels or OS X settings that I may need to be mindful of to get startup/shutdown working? It seems to me I have to enable the USB port from the Parallels shell any time I reboot.

**EnglandGreen** · 05-21-2007, 12:27 PM

I'm not running Winamp. I run Tiger 10.4.9 with FrontRow and occasionally run AMP 1.x

I use Parallels (Coherence on) only for iGuidance and BU-353 with TinyXP. GPS is the only thing I use Windows for. Parallels comes out of OSX sleep without any problems, no need to standby Windows first. Whenever I need to reboot OSX (rarely), instead of shutting down Parallels, I standby Windows.