We got a few OSX devices at work and as part of the process I want to use one as my main workstation for a couple weeks to really test the thing out. Luckily a lot of the services we use are web based and since I use Chrome on both platforms I know I'm ok. I will have to do a lot via RDP sessions to different servers. Should I just my VMWare View desktop for Windows related things or use VirtualBox/Fusion? I currently use two monitors at work can I get away with one due to Misson Control/Space***? What recommendations on software can you make, pitfalls to watch out for, tips to make things easy, etc.
***as an aside if I need a second monitor are non-Apple peripherals ok to use or should I just stick with Apple branded products?
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Tips for using OSX as my main workstation in a Windows domain environment.
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frankspin's pick
Depending on the level of domain integration you need, you can wait until Apple fixes the basic domain login functionality in Lion; use Open Directory on OS X Server to integrate multiple Mac clients into AD; or use ADmitMac (thursby.com).
Multiple monitors is strictly a matter of preference; as arras said, adapter cables are cheap (so long as you buy third-party).
For RDP, I find CoRD (cord.sf.net) much superior to MS's own Mac client.
VirtualBox is very usable, but slow. VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop each are faster and offer more seamless integration between the Mac and Windows environments. I prefer Parallels, but the two are about on par for features and performance at present.
Multiple monitors is strictly a matter of preference; as arras said, adapter cables are cheap (so long as you buy third-party).
For RDP, I find CoRD (cord.sf.net) much superior to MS's own Mac client.
VirtualBox is very usable, but slow. VMWare Fusion and Parallels Desktop each are faster and offer more seamless integration between the Mac and Windows environments. I prefer Parallels, but the two are about on par for features and performance at present.
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frankspin's pick
We're doing a similar thing at my agency, beginning to ramp up our mac services in addition to what we offer for windows.
Not sure what your network/enterprise structure is, but if you use AD you're in for some troubles. Right now, 10.7 - 10.7.2 (current build) does not support binding to AD. But, logging in with a local account (provided it doesn't match your domain account) works and you can access shares, home folders, email, etc.
The Microsoft RDP for Mac is really nice, I use it every day to connect to my windows 7 box and the servers I manage. I routinely log into 3 or 4 per day, it's just as good as terminal services client on windows.
I don't have much experience with VMWare View, but I was using Virtual Box for a bit and found it to be pretty sluggish. Though, my macbook wasn't the most powerful thing out there so that would account for some issues.
Parallels 7 is a good bet if you want another option for Windows, the mobile device support is pretty awesome. I liked using it so much at work I bought it for my home systems.
If you're using a laptop, a rain stand (basically a single piece of metal that puts your laptop at the perfect angle for viewing). The stand also allows you to use a keyboard/mouse combo, plus organize your cables.
For an additional monitor, I'm using one of the newer HP 25" monitors. Beautiful picture and clarity. I mostly put Outlook on the laptop monitor and web pages, work, etc on the HP screen. Some of the new Dells are pretty awesome. A $6 mini display/hdmi adapter from Amazon is one of the best bets for monitor connectivity
Not sure what your network/enterprise structure is, but if you use AD you're in for some troubles. Right now, 10.7 - 10.7.2 (current build) does not support binding to AD. But, logging in with a local account (provided it doesn't match your domain account) works and you can access shares, home folders, email, etc.
The Microsoft RDP for Mac is really nice, I use it every day to connect to my windows 7 box and the servers I manage. I routinely log into 3 or 4 per day, it's just as good as terminal services client on windows.
I don't have much experience with VMWare View, but I was using Virtual Box for a bit and found it to be pretty sluggish. Though, my macbook wasn't the most powerful thing out there so that would account for some issues.
Parallels 7 is a good bet if you want another option for Windows, the mobile device support is pretty awesome. I liked using it so much at work I bought it for my home systems.
If you're using a laptop, a rain stand (basically a single piece of metal that puts your laptop at the perfect angle for viewing). The stand also allows you to use a keyboard/mouse combo, plus organize your cables.
For an additional monitor, I'm using one of the newer HP 25" monitors. Beautiful picture and clarity. I mostly put Outlook on the laptop monitor and web pages, work, etc on the HP screen. Some of the new Dells are pretty awesome. A $6 mini display/hdmi adapter from Amazon is one of the best bets for monitor connectivity
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Sort of in reverse order;
- Yes. You can use non-Apple branded products, but do your homework with any product that requires drivers. Also, you may need a mini-display port to DVI adapter for that second monitor. Post if you have questions about other sorts of hardware.
- Use View if you want/need to access a virtual Windows desktop over Internet/WAN links. Otherwise, I'd leave using View to less technical users.
- Assuming you have the RAM (say at least 8GB), use Fusion or Parallels for maximum performance, lower latency and more control over storage (the latter is not an issue if you are the View admin of course!). The more guest systems you need to juggle, the better a local virtualization solution is likely to be. If you are used to VMware's server products, Fusion offers less control over networking (e.g. no going nuts with vSwitches).
- There are native OS X RDP solutions.
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