Does Parallels slow Mac OSX down?

I'm considering getting a MPB, but I have some Windows only software that can be replaced like expensive dictionaries on cd-rom. I ready that Parallels can make you run Windows software inside OSX and that you can even have an icon in the dock that opens the program (in this case my dictionaries). This sounds great and all, but doesn't the entire process slow OSX down?

 

Slow down OS X?? Well, no more than having any other fairly memory intensive application open. And, like any other program, if you are telling it to do lots of stuff, it's going to take up more of your CPU and consequently slow down overall systems responsiveness. Opening a dictionary in Parallels on a new MBP does not constitute a heavy processing load. I doubt you'd notice the difference. I'd recommend using XP as your windows program for this kind of stuff though as it uses considerably less ram than vista.

 

Yep. Parallels can be configured for leaving more resources for itself or for OS X. Normally Parallels takes one CPU core for itself. If the only thing you need to run in Windows is dictionary apps, I doubt you will see any difference as long as you have enough RAM. I second the opinion of using XP instead of Vista - you might even use win2k if it supports your software, it is even leaner.

 

Thank you for the information.

I thought because it would run two operating systems at the same time, it might slow it down. But I'm glad it doesn't make much of a difference.

Another question (which I'm sure is a no-brainer for most of you guys). If you save a file created in something at Windows with Parallels, will the file be saved at the Windows partition? Or is it possible to save it at the OSX?