Mac Mini with VMWare Fusion and Vista

I recently bought a Mac Mini 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB with a 160GB Hard Drive. Thinking of using VMWare Fusion to run Vista Business. Is this configuration advisable as it looks like Vista itself needs a minimum of 2 GB memory? Or should I just use Bootcamp.
Is anyone running Fusion with Vista on a Mac Mini? How is the performance..

I've used WinXP with Fusion on a MacMini and it was fine (but faster in BootCamp). I'm currently running Vista Business on a MacBook Pro in Parallels and while it isn't slow, it certainly is slower than in BootCamp. I expect Fusion would run Vista a bit faster - Fusion does tend to be a bit faster than Parallels but Parallels seems to get along better than Fusion with one of the applications I'm using.
There are advantages to BootCamp and BC isn't incompatible with virtualization. I suggest that you go ahead and install Vista in BootCamp. If you haven't already bought Fusion, download the demo and see how it runs using the BootCamp installation and compare that to BootCamp itself. Then decide.

Similar Messages

  • HT5446 If I buy a mac mini with a fusion drive and add windows using boot camp, can I make the SSD function be dedicated to the windows partition?

    If I buy a mac mini with a fusion drive and add windows using boot camp, can I make the SSD function be dedicated to the windows partition?

    Additional information from Linc's post. Basically, only one additional partition can be added to a Fusion Drive and it resides on the HDD.
    Do computers that come with a Fusion Drive support Boot Camp?
    Yes. Use the Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows partition and install Boot Camp. The Windows partition will exist on the hard disk drive, not the Flash drive, and is not part of Fusion Drive Logical Volume Group. 3TB Fusion Drive configurations need to update to OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.3 or later to install Windows 8. See iMac (27-inch, Late 2012): Boot Camp alert with 3T hard drive for more information.

  • Is the current top line Mac Mini with an SSD and 16GB RAM up to PS CS6 and LR5?

    I currently have a 2007 MacPro 2007 2.66GH Xeon dual core ( 4 cores ) with 9GB RAM.
    I had been thinking of the new MacPro but it will probably be hellishly expensive.  I was thinking of getting a top of the line Mac Mini with 16GB RAM and an SSD and using USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt to run most of my programs and data storage externally.  I use LR5 and PS CS6.
    I was just wondering if the latest Mac Mini was up to the taks with 2-4 GB files and multiple layers?  How well do this little guys hold up?  I know that the power supply is now internal.  Do they run cool enough.... even with an SSD?
    Any Mini users out there care to chime in?

    Well, the big drawback on the Minis is Intel integrated Graphics.
    iMacs & Minis run far too hot  in my Opinion, Apple likely tested them in a 68° F. air conditioned room.
    I myself would be looking into an older iMac, or Widows PC!
    iMac "Core i5" 2.5 21.5-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 7241/7970
    iMac "Core i5" 2.7 27-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench:           7844/8565
    iMac "Core i5" 2.7 21.5-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 7890/8647
    iMac "Core i7" 2.8 21.5-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 10248/10690
    Mac Pro "Quad Core" 2.66 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 8269/9237
    iMac "Core i5" 2.9 27-Inch (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 9225/10271
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.8 (2008)... Geekbench: 9162/10564
    Mac Pro "Quad Core" 3.2 (2010/Nehalem).. Geekbench: 9850/10440
    MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 27" Late 2011... Geekbench: 10706/11699
    Mac mini "Core i7" 2.6 (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 11367/12807
    iMac "Core i7" 3.4 27-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 11648/12651
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.26 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 11864/13363
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.66 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 14317/16093
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.93 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 15572/17619
    Mac Pro "Twelve Core" 2.66 (2010/Westmere)... Geekbench: 20294/22605
    iMac "Core i5" 2.7 21.5-Inch (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 8068/9145
    Mac mini "Core i7" 2.3 (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 10626/11825
    iMac "Core i7" 3.1 21.5-Inch (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 12490/14143
    iMac "Core i7" 3.4 27-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 11648/12651... Geekbench: 12857/13772

  • After Yosemite, numerous problems on Mac Mini with Custom Fusion Drive

    I have installed OS X Yosemite on a Mac Mini with a "homemade" fusion drive.  The update seems to have completed, although the following problems are evident:
    Missing menu items from the menu bar, including the apple menu, notifications, time machine and others
    Menu bar items return after booting non-apple software (MS Office, for instance), but disappear again once apple apps are running (App Store).  You can mouse over these menus, even though their respective icons are not there, and access the content within the menus.
    iTunes crashes upon launch; app store launches, but no content loads.  Additionally, the app store menu item under the missing apple menu location, shows 4 software updates are available, but cannot load the app store content in order to access the updates.
    Safari loads, but enters a continuous loop of "A problem occurred with this webpage so it was reloaded."  Then, a application quit notification window appears, stating "Safari Web Content quit unexpectedly."
    Lots of spinning beachball now that was not happening prior to update.
    I've tried resetting the machine numerous times.  Nothing seems to fix the problem(s)
    The machine seems to recognize the fusion drive in system report, and all files are accessible in finder, so I don't think the fusion drive is the issue.
    Any suggestions, pointers, fixes?

    I have installed OS X Yosemite on a Mac Mini with a "homemade" fusion drive.  The update seems to have completed, although the following problems are evident:
    Missing menu items from the menu bar, including the apple menu, notifications, time machine and others
    Menu bar items return after booting non-apple software (MS Office, for instance), but disappear again once apple apps are running (App Store).  You can mouse over these menus, even though their respective icons are not there, and access the content within the menus.
    iTunes crashes upon launch; app store launches, but no content loads.  Additionally, the app store menu item under the missing apple menu location, shows 4 software updates are available, but cannot load the app store content in order to access the updates.
    Safari loads, but enters a continuous loop of "A problem occurred with this webpage so it was reloaded."  Then, a application quit notification window appears, stating "Safari Web Content quit unexpectedly."
    Lots of spinning beachball now that was not happening prior to update.
    I've tried resetting the machine numerous times.  Nothing seems to fix the problem(s)
    The machine seems to recognize the fusion drive in system report, and all files are accessible in finder, so I don't think the fusion drive is the issue.
    Any suggestions, pointers, fixes?

  • Using VMWare Fusion and Vista for NetFlix Watch Now

    Hi, I have installed Fusion and Vista in order to use NetFlix's Watch Now feature on my MBA. The installation was easy and Vista seems to be working fine. However, I can't get the Watch Now movie going. The film will start (after NetFlix determines my internet speed, etc.) and alternate between play and pause. Has anyone used this combination with success? Would a downgrade to XP work better? Or I should just use Boot Camp? Thanks.

    I've used WinXP with Fusion on a MacMini and it was fine (but faster in BootCamp). I'm currently running Vista Business on a MacBook Pro in Parallels and while it isn't slow, it certainly is slower than in BootCamp. I expect Fusion would run Vista a bit faster - Fusion does tend to be a bit faster than Parallels but Parallels seems to get along better than Fusion with one of the applications I'm using.
    There are advantages to BootCamp and BC isn't incompatible with virtualization. I suggest that you go ahead and install Vista in BootCamp. If you haven't already bought Fusion, download the demo and see how it runs using the BootCamp installation and compare that to BootCamp itself. Then decide.

  • Slow boot up on 2012 Mac mini with DIY fusion drive

    Hello everyone, I bought a Mac mini (2012) 2 months ago with a stock 500GB HDD.
    I added another SSD to make a DIY fusion drive, and everything is working fine, except that I'm experiencing a very slow boot up.
    I have confirmed both by information from the OS and some tests with command line tools, that the fusion drive itself is a success and absolutely working fine.
    The slow boot up happens on cold boot only (a reboot does not have such problem).
    Symptom: the Mac mini is stuck on the gray blank screen for about 40 seconds, and then finally shows up the apple logo.
    Everything after this is pretty fast and fine.
    I have tried the following methods and none of them seems to help:
    1. Go Preferences -> Startup Disk, select the Machintosh HD. (Suggested by Apple in the Fusion Drive FAQ)
    2. Verify the whole disk along with the partition with Disk Utility.
    3. Reset NVRAM by holding Command+Option+P+R during boot up.
    4. Reset SCM/PMU.
    Does anyone have an idea on the cause of my problem?
    Best regards and thank you.

    If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
    Step 1
    Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
    View ▹ Show Log List
    from the menu bar.
    Enter "BOOT_TIME" (without the quotes) in the search box. Note the timestamps of those log messages, which refer to the times when the system was booted. Now clear the search box and scroll back in the log to the last boot time when you had the problem. Select the messages logged after the boot, during the time something abnormal was happening. Copy them to the Clipboard (command-C). Paste into a reply to this message (command-V).
    For example, if the problem is a slow startup taking three minutes, post the messages timestamped within three minutes after the boot time, not before. Please include the BOOT_TIME message at the beginning of the log extract.
    If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don’t post many repetitions of the same message.
    When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
    Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
    Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.
    Step 2
    Still in Console, look under System Diagnostic Reports for crash or panic logs, and post the entire contents of the most recent one, if any. In the interest of privacy, I suggest you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if present (it may not be.) Please don’t post shutdownStall, spin, or hang logs — they're very long and not helpful.

  • Upgrade 2009 base line Mac Mini with aftermarket RAM and SSD!

    Hello people,
    I'm looking to buy a 2009 Mac Mini (base line, 120GB hdd and 1GB of RAM) and was looking to upgrade it with aftermarket RAM (http://corsair.com/products/mac/default.aspx ) to 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair and with an Intel X25-M SSD, most probably an 80GB drive.
    And now comes my question: Based on your experience do you know a better match of aftermarket memmory and SSDs with the Mac Mini?!
    Also i've read that using an Intel SSD X-25M to hook up an Windows XP machine (either bootcamp or VM) is impossible since Windows XP doesn't recognize the SSD. Is this correct? (I need XP in VMware to access an old app that's windows based only, and NO wine sadly doesn't work).
    Thank you,
    Andrei

    Well, the big drawback on the Minis is Intel integrated Graphics.
    iMacs & Minis run far too hot  in my Opinion, Apple likely tested them in a 68° F. air conditioned room.
    I myself would be looking into an older iMac, or Widows PC!
    iMac "Core i5" 2.5 21.5-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 7241/7970
    iMac "Core i5" 2.7 27-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench:           7844/8565
    iMac "Core i5" 2.7 21.5-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 7890/8647
    iMac "Core i7" 2.8 21.5-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 10248/10690
    Mac Pro "Quad Core" 2.66 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 8269/9237
    iMac "Core i5" 2.9 27-Inch (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 9225/10271
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.8 (2008)... Geekbench: 9162/10564
    Mac Pro "Quad Core" 3.2 (2010/Nehalem).. Geekbench: 9850/10440
    MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 27" Late 2011... Geekbench: 10706/11699
    Mac mini "Core i7" 2.6 (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 11367/12807
    iMac "Core i7" 3.4 27-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 11648/12651
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.26 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 11864/13363
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.66 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 14317/16093
    Mac Pro "Eight Core" 2.93 (2009/Nehalem)... Geekbench: 15572/17619
    Mac Pro "Twelve Core" 2.66 (2010/Westmere)... Geekbench: 20294/22605
    iMac "Core i5" 2.7 21.5-Inch (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 8068/9145
    Mac mini "Core i7" 2.3 (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 10626/11825
    iMac "Core i7" 3.1 21.5-Inch (Late 2012)... Geekbench: 12490/14143
    iMac "Core i7" 3.4 27-Inch (Mid-2011)... Geekbench: 11648/12651... Geekbench: 12857/13772

  • How to change startup disk for a 2012 Mac mini with dual HDD and clean installed with Windows 8.1?

    Hi,
    I have a Mac-mini (late 2012 model), originally with Mac OS X Maverick Server installed (with two HDD). Recently, I had clean installed Windows 8.1 on one of the HDD (worked perfectly, just slow) and swapped the other HDD (with Mac OSX) with a SSD. I then cloned the Windows OS HDD in to the new SSD. Now I am trying to boot this Mac mini from this SSD, however, since this Mac mini do not have BIOS for me to change the boot sequence at the startup, is there any one can help?
    Thank you,
    Liusc

    If you boot with the Option key depressed what boot options are shown?
    Also:
    Restart your computer
    After Windows is installed, you can switch between OS X and Windows. Use the Startup Disk preference pane in OS X, or the Boot Camp system tray item in Windows to select your startup disk, then restart your computer
    How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support

  • Problem with VMWare Fusion and OS 10.6.8 and Safari

    when i try to open Safari from say a tracking number or even if i try to install an extension for safari from a download by double clicking it in my downloads folder instead of my mac version of safari opening it opens safari in vmware fusion this just started a few days ago i haven't updated anything i'm using safari 5.1 on my mac and this is a imac intel 2.8ghz intel 2 dual processor
    please help as this is causing me a lot of problems
    thanks Mike

    It's not a big concern, apparantly the assocaition what program opens that file when you click on it is off kilter.
    It's surely a VMFusion issue as they tweak things a bit in OS X as to be able to merge OSX and the guest operating together for a more seamless experience.
    Perhaps you opened the file once in Safari in VMFusion and now it has that association, or when there was a menu selection you picked the wrong one by accident.
    Register on get on the VM forums and post your question there and they can assist, it's a easy fix but it escapes me.
    I run VMFusion too and noticed this ability once when I had OS's merged, but I don't merge operating systems anymore, rather I prefer to keep each one seperate.
    Good luck, ask on VM's forums and you'll be fine.

  • Using Mac Mini with Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom

    Hi
    I use Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 4 mainly as I am a photographer. It involves both programmes live and some huge PSD files kicking around. I would be interested in hearing from any one who does similar on a high end mac mini. I am thinking of getting the high end new i7 with 16g and an SSD.
    Any good ?

    While it will not deliver 'blazing fast' performance, it has tested OK with Photoshop CS6 MGE recently and it has faired decently well in some benchmark reports. Since the OP insisted Mac Mini, I think he can go for it. Also, since his work demands more 'Photo-specific' editing, I guess he should be good. Not much 3D I assume!
    Here are some references:
    http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Adobe-Photoshop-CS6-GPU-Acceleration-161 - Look at benchmark reports (images) for Z77 chipset
    http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cs6-gpu-faq.html - HD4000 has been tested with CS6 by Adobe
    And I haven't heard of a 'reported failure' per se yet.
    -ST

  • Migrate iTunes library to Mac mini with both SSD and HHD

    I have been using a Mac Mini for my media center for a while and just got a new one with the two drive option. It has a 256GB SSD (where the OS is stored) and a 750GB HHD. My iTunes library is about 400GB. When I try to use migration assistant to transfer the media, it won't let me because the default location for the iTunes library is on the SSD, which isn't big enough. I have tried manually moving the media folder to the new computer and then telling iTunes where the library is, but iTunes shows no music. Please help! 

    Copy the enttire /Music/iTunes/ folder to the HD on the new computer.
    Hold Option and launch iTunes.
    Select Choose library and select the iTunes folder on the HD.

  • I HAVE JUST BOUGHT A MAC MINI WITH BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD AND ON SCREEN ALL IM GETTING IS A PIC SHOWING TO SWITCH ON KEYBOARD AND ANOTHER THAT SHOWS A SWITCH ON COMPUTER. I CANT SEE A SWITCH ON THE MINI.

    I have just bought a mac mini and am trying to set up. The unit is asking me to swith on bluetooth keyboard via pic 1 then pic 2 shows another switch.
    I can't see this switch. can anyone help before i launch this thing out the window!

    Symptoms
    When using Setup Assistant to configure your Mac mini or iMac for the first time, the Bluetooth keyboard may have difficulty pairing.
    Resolution
    Use a wired keyboard to configure the Mac mini or iMac with the Setup Assistant. If a wired keyboard is not available, follow these steps:
    Press and hold the Power button until the computer turns off.
    Press the Power button to start the computer.
    When a language selection appears, press and hold the power key on the Bluetooth keyboard so that the green light is flashing (discoverable mode).
    Use the mouse to click the language you would like.
    A code should appear on the screen. Enter the code on the Bluetooth keyboard and press Return. Note: No visible feedback appears on the screen while you enter the code.
    The computer and the wireless keyboard should now be paired.
    Reference link:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4456

  • HT201178 I have a Mac mini with Magic Trackpad and wireless keyboard. The keyboard and track pad got wet so I have purchased new ones. Problem is how do I get past the log in screen to set up the pairing of the devices? The old ones do not work

    How do I get past the login screen to pair my new wireless keyboard and trackpad when the old ones are water damaged and don't work

    Have you tried pulling the batteries out of the damaged ones so that they are completely off; then shutdown your Mac Mini via the power button on the back right. Turn on your new keyboard and trackpad then power your Mini back up? The auto detection should find your new keyboard and trackpad.

  • 2012 Mac mini with 27" DP and TB external drive?

    Hi,
    I'm about to purchase a 2012 Mac mini and wanted to use the thunderbolt port to run a laci external drive for backups etc.
    I currently have the 2010 Mac mini which plugs into a 27" Cinema Display (non thunderbolt).
    What options do I have to continue to use the Cinema Display via the thunderbolt port, and run the external dive as well?
    Is there such a thing as a thunderbolt splitter?
    Regards
    Jonathan

    You need to know what to search for in google in order to use it.
    So seems there thunderbolt hubs (as per the link posted) but they're mostly rubbish.
    Also buying a Thunderbolt Display is not an option.
    Seems I'll have to wait for one of the better hubs to be released. The ones out currently aren't up to scratch (according to google).
    Thanks anyway
    JC

  • After updated software on mac mini with os x 10.7.5 and restart the mouse pointer after about 30 sec. converted to the rainbow wheel and I can't control the computer.

    After updated software on mac mini with os x 10.7.5 and restart the mouse pointer after about 30 sec. converted to the rainbow wheel and I can't control the computer. The rainbow wheel was runnig 8 hrs and I turn off mac mini by power button, then I turn on mac mini with key Shift and p/w, checked HD. My HD has
    capacity 499.25 GB used 86.91GB. Is there a solution to fix this problem axcept the reinstall os?

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It won’t solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    Third-party system modifications are a common cause of usability problems. By a “system modification,” I mean software that affects the operation of other software — potentially for the worse. The following procedure will help identify which such modifications you've installed. Don’t be alarmed by the complexity of these instructions — they’re easy to carry out and won’t change anything on your Mac.  
    These steps are to be taken while booted in safe mode.
    Below are instructions to enter some UNIX shell commands. The commands are harmless, but they must be entered exactly as given in order to work. If you have doubts about the safety of the procedure suggested here, search this site for other discussions in which it’s been followed without any report of ill effects. 
    Some of the commands will line-wrap or scroll in your browser, but each one is really just a single line, all of which must be selected. You can accomplish this easily by triple-clicking anywhere in the line. The whole line will highlight, and you can then copy it. The headings “Step 1” and so on are not part of the commands. 
    Note: If you have more than one user account, Step 2 must be taken as an administrator. Ordinarily that would be the user created automatically when you booted the system for the first time. The other steps should be taken as the user who has the problem, if different. Most personal Macs have only one user, and in that case this paragraph doesn’t apply. 
    Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways: 
    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.) 
    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens. 
    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid. 
    When you launch Terminal, a text window will open with a line already in it, ending either in a dollar sign (“$”) or a percent sign (“%”). If you get the percent sign, enter “sh” and press return. You should then get a new line ending in a dollar sign. 
    Step 1 
    Triple-click the line of text below to select it:
    for k in /Sy*/L*/Ex*/{,.?}*.kext; do test -f "$k/Contents/Info.plist" && /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print :CFBundleIdentifier" "$_" | egrep -qv "apple|Accusys|ArcMSR|ATTO|CalDigit|HighPoint|hp-fax|JMicron|print|SoftRAID|stex" && echo $k; done | open -f -a TextEdit
    Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Then click anywhere in the Terminal window and paste (command-V). A TextEdit window will open with the output of the command. Post the contents of that window, if any — the text, please, not a screenshot. You can then close the TextEdit window. The title of the window doesn't matter, and you don't need to post that. No typing is involved in this step.
    Step 2 
    Repeat with this line:
    sudo defaults read com.apple.loginwindow LoginHook | open -f -a TextEdit 
    This time you'll be prompted for your login password, which you do have to type. Nothing will be displayed when you type it. Type it carefully and then press return. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. Heed that warning, but don't post it. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator. 
    Note: If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before taking this step. If that’s not possible, skip to the next step. 
    Step 3 
    Repeat with this line:
    ls -1A /e*/mach* {,/}L*/{Ad,Compon,Ex,Fram,In,Keyb,La,Mail/Bu,P*P,Priv,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Spo,Sta}* L*/Fonts 2> /dev/null | open -f -a TextEdit
    Important: If you formerly synchronized with a MobileMe account, your me.com email address may appear in the output of the above command. If so, anonymize it before posting. 
    Step 4
    osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get name of every login item' 2> /dev/null | open -f -a TextEdit 
    Remember, Steps 1-4 are all copy-and-paste — no typing, except your password. Also remember to post the output. 
    You can then quit Terminal.

Maybe you are looking for