Using Parallels to run Windows on my Mac mini

Author: r. nelson

24 May

So I recently started to use Parallels on my 1.83 GHz Intel Mac mini and have realized a few things. I have both Vista Home Premium and XP Home installed.

You will need way more than the minimum 512mb of RAM, I have 1GB and its not enough. Soon I will venture into opening up my Mac mini to make it 2GB of RAM. I am not sure why I ordered it with 1GB in the first place, oh well live and learn.
I no longer think of Windows as an OS. It now seems like just another application that I would run on my Mac.

Overall its pretty good for me, I need to run Windows for some of the work I do (login & programs) and really hate PC’s, so the option to use Parallels on my Mac mini is great. It also means one less computer that is constantly running in my house. Have you used Parallels and what are your thoughts?

Filed under: Blog

3 Responses for "Using Parallels to run Windows on my Mac mini"

Don W June 6th, 2007 at 23:00:32 1
I too have a Mac Mini and yes, you do need 2 gig of RAM. I also have eliminated the need to run a PC in my office. I now run my payroll(through a web based Payroll Company(, and QuickBooks Pro, through Parallels and XP.
The only challenge so far has been connecting my Garmin GPS through serial with a USB adapter. No success yet.
Parallels starts up quickly and runs smoothly although it does suck up a lot of RAM so I shut it down when not using it.
Waiting and looking forward to version 3.
Gene Keats June 7th, 2007 at 15:31:19 2
We run QuickBooks under WinXP Pro via Parallels on a Mac mini (2GB RAM) and it works pretty well. The main issue is network response - noticably slower than a “real” PC - for the shared company file, which is on a server. File transfers are OK, but transaction-heavy sessions suffer. Another thing to note is that WinXP’s network connection status reveals 100Mbps whereas OS X reflects the 1000Mbps physical link.
mary heck June 7th, 2007 at 19:19:46 3
I have a macbook pro with 1GB RAM and cannot even get Windows to open and run correctly…I am very frustrated as Apple Care has no tech-person who knows how to troubleshoot Parallels. I am left to re-read the manuals with no professional assistance, even though I have a protection plan.