Choose between a new APFS volume or a partition for your Mac dual boot setup.
Choose between a new APFS volume or a partition for your Mac dual boot setup.
You're looking for a personal OS for everyday use and a coding environment where you can easily access online resources. Your priority is protecting your data if malware gets onto your coding system. You're considering whether to install the other OS on a fresh drive or a separate partition. The videos you shared suggest both approaches, but Apple tends to recommend using a new volume. A new volume helps isolate files, so a malware infection in one won't easily spread to the other. A new partition offers more flexibility and can be set up with dedicated storage for your personal and coding needs. Both methods help keep your important files safe.
What operating system are you looking to set up? Which Mac model do you own? A device with a T1 or T2 chip can only support dual booting Windows using Bootcamp. However, it’s really tough to infect malware unless you actively try. I’d rather avoid the hassle of running multiple OSes.
Development might not reduce virus risks or clarify the malware you’ll face on macOS. Still, using a VM could isolate everything better. With tools like VirtualBox or Parallels, you can share files and folders between the host and the VM.
This request shows no real concern on your part. However, volumes provide more adaptability since they act as an additional layer above the block device.