Parallels or VMware Fusion?

untz · #1 September 15th, 2007, 07:43 PM

Hello there,

I need to install Windows Vista and Ubuntu Linux Feist Fawn 7.04 on my aluminum 24" iMac (Intel-based)...

Am wondering what the *BEST* virtualization software is out for these purposes?

Is it VMware Fusion or Parallels?

I already searched the web using Google and there's lots of mixed reactions and opinions. I also tried to search for this particular topic on this forum by using its search field but didn't find any similar postings (trying to display courtesy before asking a common question like this).

Should I wait for Leopard to come out?

My machine is equipped with four gigs of RAM and has a terabyte hard drive (one thousand gigs of storage space).

Kindest regards,

Unnsse

**chevy** · #2 September 15th, 2007, 08:19 PM

Parallels is more mature today. VMWare may be the future as they are very strong on other plateforms.

Axeman21 · #3 September 15th, 2007, 09:31 PM

I can't speak for VM, but I've been using Parallels for a year and a half. I upgraded to V3 this summer, and it is outstanding, very smooth interface, and I can run all my business apps that are Windows. I'm very impressed with it. Caveat - if you're looking to play Windows gamers, it only supports DirectX 8.1 and below, therefore newer games won't go.

**chevy** · #4 September 16th, 2007, 04:58 AM

You may ask the same question to giaguara (super moderator on macosx.com). She knows VMWare quite well.

**Giaguara** · #5 September 16th, 2007, 06:48 AM

I haven't tested Ubuntu on Parallels, but it runs without problems in Fusion. Just install the VMware Tools on the guest system and it'll be smooth. Fusion with allow you to use more RAM for your guest OS than Parallels (since you have a nice amount of RAM, it might make a difference).

I sometimes end up using the same virtual machines with different operating systems too, so a good install of Ubuntu can be easily ported to Player or Workstation or Server on Linux or XP (if you would ever need to use them on a PC for instance).

Some of the guest operating systems come already with VMware Tools installed and preconfigured if you would want to save time from installation http://www.vmware.com/appliances/

Ubuntu Ultimate is a nice version as well. It will have way more packages installed, but save you time from downloading and installing all the applications separately.

Are you planning on using Vista with virtualization software only or with Boot Camp as well?

**fryke** · #6 September 16th, 2007, 11:58 AM

For Windows, it's a very _clear_ choice for Parallels today. They've managed to make Windows work like "Classic" did. Better even: Windows windows (sic!) have a drop shadow like Mac apps, and they work smoothly with Exposé. Integration is really, really nice. The newest version (build 5160) even handles CPU/memory better. It was nice from the beginning, but with version 3 and onwards, it has been a blast. No other solution comes even close so far.

**Giaguara** · #7 September 17th, 2007, 08:39 AM

One other thing that I forgot to add : Parallels does not support any 64-bit guest operating systems. And that is listed still on their 3.x version.

So if you have (or will want to use) a 64-bit Vista or Ubuntu or whatever else you'll want to run, Fusion.

**fryke** · #8 September 17th, 2007, 09:33 AM

As far as I know, the iMacs still don't offer the option to have 16 GB or more RAM, so that doesn't really matter.