Parallels "Switch to Mac" Question

Alright, I searched last night and today trying to find this answer and I'm still not sure I've figured it out.

I have a windows laptop that was given to me as a gift. I am looking to buy a Macbook Pro (first Mac) and saw this "Switch to Mac" software. It's very intriguing! Here's what I'm talking about: Run Windows on Mac, Desktop Virtualization Software Solutions ? Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition


My questions:

Since I don't have the discs that came with the Windows laptop, will it still copy the Windows OS to the Mac, or will I need to buy a full retail Windows disc (it's factory installed Windows 7 on the laptop)?

If this does work, what then if I were to sell the Windows laptop or something? Can there be two instances of the same copy of Windows running like that? Won't it not activate on the Mac since it's already activated on the Windows laptop?


I really appreciate your time in answering these questions.

 

Parallels.. and products like it (VMWare Fusion, and VirtualBox) are simply virtual machines. They make a fake computer running as a program on your current computer... where you can load a copy of Windows (or Linux or whatever) into it and use it like a virtual computer. Running Windows in any virtual machine on any OS requires a full legal and licensed copy of Windows to do it. Installing an OEM version of Windows that came pre-installed on any machine.. is not legal to ever use on any other machine... so if somehow you got it to work, it could be a real pain to get it there.

There is a sticky thread up top that discusses things about running Windows on a Mac, what are +'s and -'s of each way... etc...

 

Thank you for the reply. I figured it wouldn't work and wasn't legal, but I wanted to make sure. Everything makes it sound like it would work, which didn't really make sense to me.

Anyways, I saw the stickies and there is some excellent information in them which I plan to use if/when I get a MBP. Having to buy a copy of Windows and everything is probably going to delay it a bit.

Thanks again. Any other input is of course welcome.

 

I forgot to mention that the biggest reason I was confused is that I've read multiple places that it "copies" all files including the OS. That doesn't make much sense to me.

 

I finally found something from Parallels about it.

http://download.parallels.com/stm/docs/en/ReviewGuide.pdf


That's kind of what I figured but they're still pretty vague. Eh, whatever...

 

if you have a .edu email address, you can buy Windows 7 upgrade version for $29.99 ... not a bad price.

Microsoft Office Professional Academic 2010

academic office.. as well as a link at the bottom for Win7 Pro upgrade

 

I don't have a previous full version on hand.

 

that stinks... legally you have to have one...

 

Thanks for the input everyone! Interestingly enough, I posted this same exact question on the Parallels support forum and never got a response!

Anyways, I'm going to the store tomorrow to make sure I like the Macbook before I order one. If I do, I have a Retail version of Windows 7 and possibly Parallels available to me at no cost (yes, it's legit).

Thanks again!!