Parallels Desktop 6 runs Windows 8 Consumer Preview in OS X Lion to much delight.
Although not without minor issues but it truly is remarkable performance that you can appreciate — the experience on Windows 8 Consumer Preview running for the first time was simply ease of installation and use. I don’t have to guess it would run even better on a dedicated machine.
Have you download and Installed Windows 8? What’s your thought? This is my experience running Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my MacBook late 2008 version on a Parallels Desktop 6.
Screenshots Installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Parallels Desktop
This is my records of Installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Parallels Desktop 6 Build 6.0.12106 (Revision 692267; September 7, 2011)
RAM on MacBook Late 2008
You need to of course first upgrade enough RAM to make sure your machine have enough memories to care for both OS X and any other resources intensive program that you decided to power on it.
My MacBook late 2008 with Boot ROM MB51.007D.B03 Specs as follow…
For the record – MacBook late 2008 with OS X Snow Leopard and above is able to support memory of 8 GB 1333MHz DDR3 – despite it wasn’t officially announce by Apple (to my knowledge).
If you’re in the market looking for RAM upgrade for your MacBook late 2008 – go for 1333MHz and beast it up with serious 8GB RAM. In case you’re MacBook really doesn’t support 1333MHz –Your computer (Intel Chip – others am not sure) will automatically down stepping your clock to 1066MHz – nothing major that will break your MacBook — so don’t worry.
Issue installing Parallels tools — black screen
- First attempt – It turns into permanent black screen when I adjusted the “View” to full screen mode while installing. No good – Not sure what happen and not knowing how to fix it. I than decided to reinstall afresh – I delete the whole copy Windows 8 and start all over.
- Second attempt – I avoided adjusting the “View” installation to 100% it was working fine the process added the window share folder on OS X dock – than it happen – permanent black screen at the end of the process.
In case you’re running into this issue please do not delete your copy of Windows 8 like I did. All you need to do is to add the following line of code to your Parallels Desktop 6/7 Boot Flags before you install Parallels Tools. Info on article found on Parallels Knowledgebase.
devices.video.pci_device_id=0x5005
Create New Virtual Machine
Windows Product Key
Integration With Mac
Select “Like a PC” until Parallels decided to offers update I don’t think it would run smooth anyway.
Name and Location
Windows Setup
The ever familiar Windows Setup — Follow the on screen setup.
My Thought on Windows 8 CP
When Vista was introduced to the world – I thought wow! The future of next generation of OS must be these eyes catching graphic and UI. ( I hate Vista – Just saying)
Until the day I lay my hand on OS X, I dig the simplicity of the design. Nothing fancy with the UI like glass effect or whatever. Than OS X Lion introduction — the transition of OS X to iOS like. For a while there I thought Apple would just totally convert it over with OS X Mountain Lion but I guess not yet.
Windows 8 new approached with the simplicity of just simple color simple tiles – had me going! I like it and I think it’s brilliant.
My Thought on Installing Windows 8 CP on Parallels 6
I think I will go for NOT installing Parallels Tools. I felt the sluggishness of Windows 8 CP after installing. You can still use the system perfectly without the tools — you only lose the ability to share files directly between Windows 8 and OS X.
15 responses to “Installing Windows 8 on Parallels Desktop 6 on MacBook”
Thanks for the insight!
On
> MacBook Pro Mac OS X 10.6.7 (10J4138)
> 8GB RAM
> 1 GB Graphics VRAM
with
> Parallels Desktop 6.0 Build 12106.694064
> 4 GB RAM allocated
> 256MB VRAM allocated
> 4 CPUs allocated
and
> Windows 8 RTM Build 9200. 16384 (Iso-Image: 9200.16384.WIN8_RTM.120725-1247_X64FRE_ENTERPRISE_EVAL_DE-DE-HRM_CENA_X64FREE_DE-DE_DV5.iso)
and
> Parallels Tools installed
Windows crashes and reboots often and without any obvious reason. After deinstalling Parallels Tools everything seems fine. Perhaps Parallels Desktop 6 and 8 will do the trick?
Microsoft is going the right direction with the new UI and the virtualization underneath. But the user model has still to be made more consistent (e.g. configuration is located inside Metro UI and control panel).
Hi Flotonus, PD8 will work well with Windows 8. Recently Parallels team written a blog post telling its customer that Windows 8 now work okay on PD8. I did not upgrade yet. Still using PD7.
hi, I have the same Macbook 2008 unibody like you do and I am also thinking of trying Windows 8 on it as well via Parallels Desktop. However mine is with only 4Gb RAM running at 1066 Mhz, I wonder if it even works? or if even it is worth trying?
I am just curious on how W8 looks and feel, not planning to use Windows anyway…If I wanna try Bootcamp, does it work well with all drivers?
Thanks,
Hi Ravine, 4Gb and 1077Mhz will work. Give it a try, no harm done. What version of Parallels Desktop you’re using? Version 7, you can direct download within Parallels.
https://thisbeast.com/download-and-installs-windows-8-release-preview-on-parallels-desktop-7/
I didn’t try it on Bootcamp, because I installed Windows 7 on Bootcamp, can’t run both Windows on Bootcamp, So never tried.
Happy to received your comment, cheers.
where “Start” button is gone now?
MS decided that it is now gone. hahaha
[…] Are you excited and cheers for iPad 3 or Windows 8? If nothing interest you — please check out the dancing cockroach’s leg (at the bottom) on my post today. Also please check my post on installing Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Parallels Desktop 6. […]
Whoa Beauty and the Jonging Beast..have not owned a Mac and thinking about it. Windows ‘fatt’ already flow with the fengshui fatt fatt fatt . tQ
Yes – Fatt! MS going to Fatt this year 🙂
Thanks for dropping by and what’s up? long time no see you and I didn’t see your blog updated too… must be busy huh?
I have a new domain – it’s http://www.foongpc.com. Please update your links. Thanks! : )
Awesome name!!!!!
Eh your blog now new name and URL? This Beast? : )
B E A S T!!!!!! yes new domain .my are too Malaysian – if I want to go big I think at least I do myself a justice by having more commercialize domain. Who knows if I manage to build my own brand…
Dream big! Feng Shui this year point to America so we must go America! muahahaha
Wow! So complicated! I don’t even want to think of installing Windows on my Macbook Pro!! Scary thought! LOL!
hahaha won’t scary lahhh don’t be afraid – may the force be with you! LOL