I installed Parallels Desktop RC2 on my 2GHz MacBook with 1GB RAM this evening. After going through the simple setup procedure, I installed Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and then a couple of apps (including some beta release software). Everything looks good so far.
I use Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project. Since, they are not available for Mac OS X, getting them on my MacBook was a good reason to install Parallels Desktop RC2. I installed Microsoft Project 2007 Beta-2 and Microsoft Visio 2007 Beta-2. I was able to to more-or-less comfortably check my email on the Mac OS X side (Thunderbird) and surf the web (Firefox) while Windows XP installed these applications. Application performance inside of the virtualized Windows XP window seemed pretty decent too. For yucks, I installed Civilization II (a decade old game that consumed a lot of my time years ago). It seems to run ok too so far. I was concerned that a MacBook with a mere 1GB RAM would not be a comfortable fit for running Windows XP. But, things look ok performance-wise. My only MacBook regret now is that I should have upgraded the hard drive to a larger size so I can comfortably install other virtual machines (Fedora Core 5, etc.).
Try OmniGraffle instead of Visio!
I'm a big fan of Omnigraffle but I'll note this - it's compatibility with Visio using the Visio XML file format (.vdx) isn't very good. If I have to exchange diagrams with Windows users then a combination of Parallels and Visio would be a better solution to avoid diagrams getting mauled. That said, if you don't need to exchange files with Visio users then Omnigraffle is a much nicer experience.
I know this is a little off topic (well a lot actually) but what's that application next to the parrallels one in your dock on the right?
Loz: I'm not sure but it looks like CoreDuo Temp.
Loz Gray: AJP is right on target. It is CoreDuo Temp. In fact, if you look at the right bottom corner of the screen, the little gray partial window behind the Parallels Windows XP window is CoreDuo Temp.
Todd, have you been pleased with your macbook purchase so far? I'm purchasing 2 this week and have not handled one as of yet. How is the temperature been for daily use?
your macbook is running about the same temp as mine running Parallels :p
Mike: I'm pretty happy with the MacBook so far. You can find some detailed comments I made in this blog entry... MacBook Mysteries. The MacBook gets hotter than reported in that entry because I was primarly on battery power. When plugged in, the MacBook goes to 2GHz instead of 1.5GHz more often and heats up to about 168F when active. But, it does not seem much warmer than my iBook G4 and is a lot cooler than my Dell Lattitude D600. I used an infrared thermometer with laser guide the other day on the iBook and D600. The iBook's left palm rest area next to the touchpad peaked at about 91F (warm but not too uncomfortable). The D600 left palm rest. got up to 95F (very uncomfortable). I haven't checked the MacBook palm rest yet but I suspect it also peaks around 91F. If you are wondering about the right palm rest (which is away from heat sources), both the iBook and D600 got up to around 84F.
Do you really prefer Firefox to Camino? Firefox on the Mac is so un-Mac-like - I use Camino when I'm not using Safari.
ahm well, how big is your hardrive? And how big would you want it to be? Just to make sure if I have to make the same decision soon I do not make the same 'mistake'.
Marcos: I switch between Microsoft Windows XP/Vista, Linux, and Mac OS X all the time. So, having a common browser (Firefox) is great for me.
ari: I have the basic 60GB HD that comes with the 2GHz white MacBook. In retrospect I should have spent the extra $50 to bump the HD up to 80GB. $150 more to go to 100GB might not be a bad idea either. But, I think I will be mostly ok with my 60G HD. I've still got 31GB free after installing enough software to have a very useful Mac notebook plus two Parallels Guest OSes (Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux 6.0.6).
I find this encouraging. I just bought a MacBook 2.0 (with 2G of RAM) this weekend, and I'm looking forward to running VM's for Windoze and Linux (perhaps even Solaris). I have Parallels Desktop pre-ordered, and will install it when my 100G 7200RPM drive arrives. (It was pretty much as cheap to get my own than pay for the Apple upgrade, and I get to keep the old drive.)
I was skeptical about the MacBook, but I'm really starting to get fond of it.
you will find that 2gb is nessessary dude... at first it is OK, but then you entire computer will come to a halt in a few days