how taxing is parallels?

[imconfused1]

i have a black macbook. i am thinking about getting parallels, but it would just be for fun to connect with friends on an old game that requires windows for compatibility. since i dont have a serious need, i have been apprehensive about installing parallels.
how large is the application itself? i don't want to risk screwing my laptop up or compromising its performance if it is a taxing program -- i'm not exactly sure how it works, but installing an effective 2nd OS seems somewhat intense.

 

[hikaricloud]

From what I've heard parallels isn't really worth it. I use bootcamp myself, but they both have drawbacks.

 

[Kharn]

Parallels blows Mr.Higgens nuts, use VMware Fusion or Virtual Box.

 

[imconfused1]

well, how demanding is fusion then? worth it?

 

[Kharn]

VMware when it's not running a OS is light an it can be as heavy as you want but if your only running on 1gb of memory I would upgrade. An yes it is worth it I use VMware workstation on my windows box and it is THE gold standard in OS virtuliseation.