Parallels or VMware Fusion? - Page 4

**chevy** · #25 September 19th, 2007, 02:15 PM

I'll try Fusion right now. I plan to use it with the Windows XP Pro that is installed on my BootCamp partition. I'll let you know.

**chevy** · #26 September 19th, 2007, 02:47 PM

First impressions: install is trivial, Excel starts like a breeze. But it could not run PF.

I didn't find a very simple way to start the explorer and I miss the Windows shortcuts bar at the bottom of my screen.

But it does the job.

I didn't restart on Boot Camp yet, I'll see how Windows accepts that later.

**chevy** · #27 September 19th, 2007, 03:12 PM

Ok, I restarted in Boot Camp and now back to Macos X. No problems.

bbloke · #28 September 20th, 2007, 04:28 PM

Thanks for doing that, chevy.

I agree, fryke and Giaguara, that testing it myself would be the most direct option. It's a long story, but basically I may have Windows licensed through work (for work use) and so I'd probably choose a virtualization package first and get access to Windows second (!). Being given an installation of Windows in order to test a demo might not be agreed to.

I suppose part of the reason I ask about others' opinions is that I could draw upon a wider range of experiences, encountering things it might take me much longer to notice if acting on my own. I've also had a look at a few videos to see what both Desktop and Fusion look like in use. Not quite the same as using it myself, but it gives me some idea.

Ultimately, it might just be the case that both programs do the job nicely and it won't be the end of the world no matter which one I opt for!

Lazarus18 · #29 September 21st, 2007, 12:05 PM

It depends on what you will be doing within Parallels or VMWare I think. I can't speak to VMWare, but I set my dad up with Parallels when he got his first Mac so he could continue to use his Windows Quicken files and access his old Micorsoft Works files. It performs wonderfully for that. I suspect VMWare would have no problem either. The benefit then becomes which one is more convenient, has a better integration with OS X, etc. At this point in time I think that is probably Parallels, but I'm sure VMWare will make improvements.

If you're looking for a test environment to assemble code, or need to run AutoCAD or something, then performance might be your higher priority, in which case VMWare would seem to be a better choice.

I think your usage will dictate which is better. In the end I think either will work, so you don't need to agonize over the choice. Parallels seems a little more refined right now, VMWare a bit more powerful under the hood.

bbloke · #30 September 25th, 2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus18

I think your usage will dictate which is better. In the end I think either will work, so you don't need to agonize over the choice. Parallels seems a little more refined right now, VMWare a bit more powerful under the hood.

Thanks, I think you are right. Both Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion will do the job well enough, and I don't think I should agonize over the decision...

I'm likely to need to use virtualization for a small number of specialist Windows applications. There's the potential that they may be a bit resource hungry at times. I was originally going to go for Parallels Desktop by default, but I've started to shift towards VMware Fusion now.

Lazarus18 · #31 October 1st, 2007, 02:43 PM

VMWare is also $30 cheaper right now I think.

**ScottW** · #32 October 1st, 2007, 03:53 PM

VMWare is the way to go. I've used both, and it runs so much better. Doesn't bog down your Mac when your running it, you can leave it running in the background and go on with life. If also allows you to run only one processor as an option which is nice for keeping it contained.