I'm on the very brink of buying a Mac Pro to replace both my Powerbook and an ageing, neglected Windows 2000 PC. As a web developer, the idea is to have Win2K running IE6 in one Parallels window on the Mac Pro, and to have XP running IE7 in another Parallels window, while doing the coding in Textmate. Obviously, I need to wait until the Parallels bug on the Mac Pro is fixed, but my question is regarding the edition of XP I would need to buy. Since the Mac Pro is a 64-bit machine, would it make sense to buy the 64-bit version of XP Pro? Or wouldn't that make a jot of difference in the Parallels environment? Could it actually be a problem? Is it even necessary to buy XP Pro? Would XP Home do? Hope this isn't too off-topic a question for a first post! Cheers, Andrew.
Since no one has a working 64b Mac with Parallels, only the Parallels guys would be able to tell you for sure, but I think it's a very safe bet that the Virtual Machines will continue to be 32b only. So, It's a strong bet you wouldn't be able to use the 64b version of WinXP. XP Home should suit you just fine... the only real differences are support for multi-processors in Pro (which Parallels doesn't support anyway) and joinging a domain (which you will know if you need given your network environment.)
Many thanks for the advice, chartb -- it's exactly what I was looking for. Although my broadband connection goes through an ethernet router, each machine is simply assigned a 10.0.0.x IP, so I don't think I need the capability to join a domain. One last question: the OEM versions of XP available on Amazon are much cheaper than their full retail counterparts. Am I likely to encounter problems using/registering one of these under Parallels? Thanks again, Andrew.
A lot of these OEMs etc are counterfeit. And they could cause you trouble when you try and register or download updates. Interestingly, I am running two Apple computers - both with Parallels and XP. I have purchased two Parallel licences; but for a test I put the same copy of XP on both machines. So far I have had no problems - both are working fine and downloading updates. Which makes me think that the Windows security features do not work with Parallels - ie: it cannot "see" the hardware features and serial numbers it needs - and so just lets the registration proceed.
Thanks, PeDaSp. I'm pretty sure the OEM edition sold by Amazon is extremely unlikely to be counterfeit. Your experience of having two separate installations is reassuring! Cheers, Andrew.
I wouldn't be so sure. Amazon just passes along external references. If you check the fine print, they aren't responsible in any way. The agreement with MS states that you cannot sell the OEM variant without a system. Many fly-by-night here-and-gone resellers have been busted doing the opposite when MS takes notice. Good luck.
The XP Home OEM Edition from Newegg is $90, and totally legal. You can also get the XP Pro there for not much more, though if you don't need to connect to an office domain, there's probably no need. In short, there's no reason to buy a retail version of XP. You get a mighty discount for bringing your own support!
Seriously? A product "Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk" (so, not from Amazon Marketplace) is likely to be counterfeit? They've got pages and pages of this stuff. Cheers, Andrew.
This person does not know what he is talking about. Evidently he has never read the XP OEM EULA before. 1) If you purchase your OEM copy directly from AMAZON, you will get an AUTHENTIC, Generic Microsoft-produced OEM copy. This will include ALL the proper holograms (inset into the disk itself, not printed), as well as a genuine OEM COA, plus the Microsoft booklet (in the case of PRO, it will be blue.). 2) The EULA states specifically that it must be sold along with an "essential" piece of hardware. This can be ANYTHING from a powercord, a mouse, to an entire machine. 3) The Amazon-sold OEM will be around $150 for XP Professional. I suggest you purchase this one. You will have absolutely NO PROBLEMS activating this, UNLESS you ALSO install it on ANOTHER machine after it has been activated. In that case, you deserve problems. The OEM license does not allow one to transfer his license to a second machine. You MAY experience having to do a phone activation IF you previously activated the same copy while using Boot Camp Assistant, since the Parallels virtual machine will look DIFFERENT to the Activation server. Simply call the number provided when the Internet activation fails, and talk HONESTLY to the Activation representative, telling him/her EXACTLY what happened. He/she will activate your copy installed within Parallels, since it is ACTUALLY the SAME machine (if you are honest, at least). If you purchase an OEM from one of Amazon's user sales sites, all bets are off. These are usually much cheaper. I don't advise that you purchase one of these. Purchase one directly from Amazon. Amazon ITSELF is NOT a "fly-by-night" reseller. They GUARANTEE that their products are GENUINE. And PLEASE, DON'T purchase an OEM from eBAY, no matter HOW much more cheap they appear to be. Many times, these have been previously activated, or are pirated. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, purchase an OEM from an Eastern Bloc nation, (these are usually EXTREMELY cheap, from $20 and up). These are GUARANTEED to be pirated copies. Let's face it, there is NO SUCH thing as a "genuine keygen'. They are ALL ILLEGAL!!!. ONLY MIcrosoft sells "genuine COAs" (Certificates of Authenticity), without which an OEM is NOT genuine, under ANY circumstance.
Did you know, sir, that you just publically admitted that you have BROKEN Microsoft's OEM End User License Agreement, which states SPECIFICALLY that is MUST only be installed on ONE machine? Your SECOND installation is ILLEGAL, and is PIRATED, no matter WHAT you might think. The Windows Activation features DO work with Parallels, by the way. Just install your OEM copy in Boot Camp and Parallels both at the same time, and you will soon see this.
I'm intrigued to see if / how the Amazon checkout process enforces this. Why do you suggest XP Pro rather than XP Home? Cheers, Andrew.
Once Mac Pro will be supported in Parallels Desktop you will be able to use only 32 bit Windows as guest OS. 64 bit XP will not run in current version of Parallels Desktop. Guest 64 bit support is planned for next major version of Parallels.
