When it is up and running, you see an entire Windows desktop within a window on your Mac (you can obviously full screen the program as well). Parallels runs like any other app on your Mac. Much like Boot Camp, you decide how much space you want to allocate toward Windows, but unlike Boot Camp, you can easily change these storage options after installation.
Once you purchase, download and install Parallels, you can open the program and install your Windows operating system within it. The current version of Parallels Desktop is Parallels 10. If you decide to use Parallels Desktop, you first need to purchase both the Parallels program and your Windows operating system. Because you need to partition the hard drive, you are effectively decreasing the available space on the OS X side of your Mac.Either email them to yourself, use a cloud service like Dropbox or iCloud Drive, or use an external device like a USB drive or CD. No easy way of transferring files and data between operating systems.Every time you wish to switch between operating systems, you need to reboot your computer.Meaning if you create a 200GB partition for Windows but run out of storage, you would need to completely reset Boot Camp and repartition to the size you desire. Once you partition the hard drive, you cannot adjust the partition size.
Completely free! All you have to do is buy Windows and not any additional software.The Boot Camp Assistant app guides you through the install process.Because Boot Camp runs Windows completely isolated from OS X instead of at the same time (like with virtualization), Boot Camp is less of a strain on your Mac's memory and is easier on your Mac to keep up and running.
You can either install Windows in Boot Camp, a native feature of the Mac OS X operating system, or you can use a virtualization program. If you are looking to install Windows on your Mac, you have two options. This is especially useful for individuals who want to use Macs but may rely on a few programs that are Windows-specific. While you need to purchase a copy of the Windows operating system separately from your Mac, once you do you can install it and enjoy the benefits of both operating systems.
These individuals overlook a key feature of the Mac lineup - you can run Windows on them.
In the classic "which is better" argument between Macs and PC's, PC advocates sometimes bring up features or characteristics of the Windows operating system as an argument for PC's being better than Macs.