FSX on Mac using Parallels??

[chudiddy]

Hi I tried to do a search but came up empty. I am a mac user and I currently have a 15" Macbook Pro. It is the latest version with the I7 and upgraded components. I was wondering if it was possible to run parallels, install Windows, and run FSX on my laptop? My plan is to use Apple TV to stream from the laptop to a TV. I didn't want to get a dedicated PC unless I absolutely had to and was hoping to be able to use my Macbook. If there are other options that anyone knows of and can share them with me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Yongchai]

You are probably going to get slow and stuttering performance with FSX unless you have a desktop graphic card. You could probably meet their recommended system spec of a 970 desktop graphics card with a 980m graphics card, but its best you contact support at Foresight and ask them.

[keither5150]

I would say that the GTX980m is closer to the GTX 960 than the 970. The 970 should beat the 980m by about 30% more FPS on TGC.

[p3eps]

You'd have a better chance if you ran Windows using Bootcamp, as Parallels is essentially an emulator.
There is no substitute for a high spec desktop PC with a decent GFX card though!

[Danielwt]

I was in the same situation as you. I haven't run parallels in over four years though. I stopped running it, because it was horrible with just basic browsing and file management -- so I can't imagine it would be even near efficient enough for FSX.

Also, if my memory serves me correctly -- Doesn't parallels partition your hard drive and RAM? You get to choose what split you want to employ; correct? Unless you have 16gigs of RAM, or more, this would most definitely present issues (you'd need at least 8G dedicated toward the parallels side of things). I'm not a computer expert, so I could be wrong, but again - I wouldn't even try it.

My solution was to buy a "gaming" computer from HP. I got it for right around $950, and it had all the "required" specs, plus more. After all, it's a gaming computer, so it was essentially built for things like FSX/FR1. I believe it's called the "OMEN" if you're interested.

Finally... And a forewarning for you. When I switched over to mac (which I swore I'd never do), I was afraid of the learning curve. It ended up taking only a couple of days. It was the easiest transition ever, lol... HOWEVER...going back to Windows, essentially for the sole purpose of using the simulator software, has been the HARDEST thing (computer related) I've ever had to endure!! I now know, and appreciate without a doubt, the usability/efficiency/etc. that a mac provides over a windows based pc. My mac will still be my go-to for everything other than the simulation software, because this windows mess is HORRIBLE! Trust me....get ready for frustrations if you decide to buy a PC to run sim! lol.. Good luck!

[chudiddy]

Exactly what I was trying to avoid...getting a PC as I have gotten so used to my Macs. I emailed Foresight and while they don't support Apple interface with FSX he did suggest that I use Bootcamp rather than Parallels if I decide to go that route. Either way it does partition the drive and you must dedicate at least 40gb for Windows. I have decided not to go this way and will probably get a dedicated PC just for the sim software. I too am dreading doing it because I just hate the Windows platform and haven't even touched Windows 10. I will look into the HP that you suggest and I appreciate the feedback. I am glad that you got your issues resolved from what I read in your thread.

Thanks to everyone for their input and ill update soon with what I end up doing.

[TheCoupe]

Just a quick note, though not sure on cost, but you can purchase a thunderbolt to PCIe external chassis which will allow you to use a high end graphics card in your Mac. Never tried one with Parallels or VMWare (I prefer VMware), but on a worst case, buy an external USB or Thunderbolt SSD to run the VM off, or as an external for your boot camp partition, thus removing the need to partition your internal drive. I know the graphics card chassis will definitely work with Bootcamp. Just another option for you

[frankiepap39]

get a dedicated PC... thats what i ended up with. i tried the bootcamp option, just didn't run smooth enough. i have a macbook pro, i7, 1TB solid state drive, high end graphics card... but still wasn't like a dedicated PC / tower. I've partitioned my hard drive to 600gb mac, 400gb windows... so there is heaps of room. in the end, i just bought parts from amazon and eBay and build my own