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I would like to install and boot Windows from a microSD card using the Nifty MiniDrive, however, before I pay for the device and microSD card I would like to see the performance differences between different speeds of microSD cards to see if I would even want to do this. Is there any way to limit the I/O speed of windows and thus simulate running off an microSD card? Any thoughts on the performance of running off a microSD card. [Windows would only be used with VisualStudio, Visio, and some instances of 3D OpenGL graphics]
I would be installing the MicroSD card on a MacBook Pro that has a maximum speed of up to 480 Mbit/s, which is approximately 60MB/s. The MiniDrive has no restrictions on the format or speed of microSD card used within it. The limiting factor is the speed/compatibility of the SD card reader in the MacBook. MicroSD cards support read speeds of 30MB/s (16GB for $18 to 64GB for $60) and 95MB/s (8GB for $26, 16GB for $56). I would love to have the space and get the 64GB microSD card, however, wonder if it would be fast enough. Double speed or double space.
1I'd wonder if it would even boot windows first. Might be worth testing it off a normal SD card, and an evaulation copy of windows – Journeyman Geek – 2012-11-14T05:26:08.557
@JourneymanGeek It looks like it is possible: http://superuser.com/questions/263684/install-run-windows-7-off-sd-card-on-2010-13-macbook-air
– michaellindahl – 2012-11-14T06:54:59.700He's using a VM software – Journeyman Geek – 2012-11-14T09:55:20.530
@JourneymanGeek Oo, good point. – michaellindahl – 2012-11-16T23:00:11.310
2I asked the linked question, and was quite happy with my Windows 7 VM using a class 10 64gb SD card. I used it primarily for testing various browser setups (I did webdevelopment at the time) I too am planning on "upgrading" to a nifty mini drive w/64gb microSD in my new retina 15". – Dakine83 – 2013-03-20T06:50:58.893