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makeli

Should I add RAM to help VM Ware run smoother?

I'm wondering if adding ram will help make the experience smoother. I love what it can do which is why I don't run boot camp. Just trying to make it smoother. I'm currently running 4 gigs of ram.
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macphersonscott

macphersonscott

I did upgrade my iMac to 8GB of RAM for this reason, and it has most definitely made a difference when running a Windows 7 virtual machine. I can't remember whether I initially gave the virtual machine 1GB or 2GB of RAM, but either option meant both the virtual machine and OS X felt sluggish.
With 8GB of RAM, I can chuck 4GB at the virtual machine, and core OS performance remains unharmed as the remaining 4GB is all OS X's.
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jescott418

jescott418

I would imagine some of the trial stuff is handicapped. I would second the recommendation for RAM. Your talking about running two OS's at one time along with VM Ware and any programs open in OS X and Windows. So yes, its a big strain on system resources. I used Parallels for a while but since Lion I have moved back to BootCamp because I feel Windows runs smoother.
If you plan to use a VM Ware and move to Lion. Make sure you buy the version of Fusion or Parallels that works in Lion.
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makeli

makeli

Thanks Scott. I really appreciate it. Your answer just made me realize something, I'm currently in the 30 trial period with VM Ware. I remembered trying to throw more RAM at the virtual machine side but it was grayed out. I just checked again and it's still grayed out and unable to move any more than the current amount of 1024 MB to the virtual machine side. I wonder if once I purchase VMW it will unlock the ability to slide more to the virtual machine side.
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Bownse

Bownse

I automatically bumped my default iMac 27's RAM to 8Gb (thanks RAMJet) because I knew I'd be using it for Photoshop and VMWare. I've never experience anything that I would call sluggishness with VMWare (Fusion 3 or 4). It's very comparable to my Core 2 Quad PC with 8Gb of RAM.
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