Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I used this and used VMWare Fusion 3. Both have issues. But Parallels has fewer deal breaking issues. So I chose Parallels. I use a 13" MacBook Pro with Snow Leopard. I run Windows 7 in the VM. Here are my findings:
Parallels 5
Pros: Fast, rock solid
Cons: Windows Manager (which manages the Aero interface) keeps crashing under 2 CPU configuration. So Aero is really usable under 1 CPU configuration. Windows 7 cannot even run all the tests to calculate the Windows Experience Index with 2 CPU configuration due to video issue.
VMWare Fusion 3
Pros: It runs
Cons:
Aero exhibits random missing tile effect. That is, random patches of square of the user interface would "lag" and appear missing for a fraction of a second. DirectX implementation apparently isn't that good.
The share OS X folders with VM implementation is retarded. All shared folders appear under one virtual drive in the VM. What it means is the root of the virtual drive is not writable.
It is not fast. I ran a time consuming task in Parallels, it took about 10 minutes to finish. I ran the same task in VMWare, I lost patience after maybe 15-20 minutes. I went and took a shower just to give it enough time to finish.
I highly recommend getting the trial versions of both software and see which one works for you. For me the speed of VMWare and that dumb shared folder implementation are the deal breakers for me and so I went with Parallels.
Parallels gets 4 stars out of 5 because of the Aero problem under 2 CPU configuration.
---------- Update 1/5/2010 ----------
Parallels has released the first update to Desktop 5.0 for Mac, which has fixed the Aero problem under 2 CPU configuration. Aero is rock solid now. While I did not try to find every supposed improvement in this update, I did notice one big improvement in the area of shared folder access. Access of Mac files from within the VM is very much faster than before. I can actually use file access intensive program on a Mac folder mounted in the VM as a network shared drive whereas before doing so would impose a speed penalty. Considering the fix to Aero, I have updated my previous four stars rating to five stars.
---------- Update 2/23/2010 ----------
I have installed Windows 7 using Boot Camp on a separate partition of my MacBook Pro. This gives me the option of running Windows 7 natively on the hardware in addition to running under a virtual environment provided by Parallels. I did a Windows Experience Index comparison between the two. Now note that Windows 7 has full access to my MacBook Pro's 4GB of RAM under Boot Camp but only 2GB under Parallels. Here are the results:
Boot Camp
Processor:5.9
Memory: 5.9
Graphics: 5.3
Gaming graphics:5.5
Primary hard disk:5.9
Parallels
Processor:5.8
Memory: 5.5
Graphics: 4.8
Gaming graphics:3.9
Primary hard disk:6.5
The results are very competitive, especially if you don't play games on your Mac. It validates my previous impression that Parallels indeed provides a very fast virtual environment.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Parallels Desktop 5.0 for Mac
With more than 2 million users worldwide, the award-winning Parallels Desktop for Mac is easier than ever to use with its brand new Mac user interface and lightning-fast performance. This new version is packed with over 70 new features that make running Windows programs on a Mac completely seamless.
Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac delivers brand new features plus performance enhancements including full support for Aero in Windows Vista and 7, faster virtual machine performance, expanded USB device compatibility, enhanced 3D graphics and optimization for Mac OS X Snow Leopard. New Features in Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac include:
Run Windows up to 3 times faster than previous version.
Support for Aero in Windows Vista & 7: Get the complete Windows experience with Aero animation.
Smart Copy and Paste: Easily move formatted text and images between Windows and Mac Applications
Coherence Mode: Seamlessly run Windows programs alongside Mac applications.
3D Graphics Support: Run 3D applications with DirectX 9Ex and OpenGL 2.1
Optimized for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard: Take advantage of Apple's latest operating system.
Plus additional performance and general enhancements, such as:
Runs Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and more
Improved USB device connectivity and performance
Use Multi-touch gestures, Spaces and Exposé
Up to 7 times faster graphics performance than previous version
Full support for Mac OS X Server, 8 virtual CPUs and 64-bit Windows
Run Windows on Your Mac the Easy Way. Right Alongside Mac OS X. Parallels Desktop for Mac makes it possible to run Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Linux and more side-by-side with Mac OS X without rebooting. With Parallels' award-winning virtualization technology, you can run Mac OS X and your favorite Windows applications at the same time. You can even drag-and-drop files between desktops! Launch Windows applications like Mac applications--right from your Mac's dock.
Parallels Desktop for Mac 5 is the biggest upgrade ever with over 70 new features. It also comes with a complete suite of essential tools you need to run Windows on a Mac. Parallels Desktop now ships with $175 in bonus software including Kaspersky Internet Security, Acronis Disk Director and Acronis True Image.
Lightning-fast performance Parallels Desktop takes advantage of Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors and Intel VT-x2 hardware accelerated virtualization, for near-native speed and rock-solid performance. With support for up to 8 GB RAM and up to 8 CPUs, Parallels Desktop for Mac delivers maximum performance.
Unmatched Compatibility Enjoy all the benefits of having a Mac and keep running the Windows programs you can't live without. Parallels Desktop for Mac runs thousands of Windows applications and is compatible with your favorite USB devices including mobile phones, printers, scanners and GPS devices. With Parallels Desktop you can run any version of Windows, including 7, Vista and XP, as well as Linux, FreeBSD, even MS-DOS, at the same time as OS X! Parallels also supports running Mac OS X Leopard Server in a virtual machine.
Comprehensive Protection and Privacy Parallels Internet Security by Kaspersky protects your Windows programs from virus and spyware threats and even includes a firewall and anti-spam tools. Parallels Desktop also includes SmartGuard instant "snapshots" which make backup and recovery easier than ever.
Additional Features
Advanced virtualization engine with lightning-fast performance
Use Windows on your Mac without rebooting
Install Windows XP, Vista or 7 in 3 easy steps
Run literally thousands of Windows apps, like Outlook, Access, Project, Quicken and QuickBooks--all at near-native speed.
Easily share files between Mac and Windows
Launch Windows apps directly from the Mac Dock.
Run more than 60 different OSs, including Linux, BSD and more.
Run Mac OS X and Windows on multiple monitors.
Migrate your existing PC to your Mac. Even import Boot Camp partitions and VMware Fusion virtual machines.
Use iPhone to manage virtual machines
SmartGuard's instant "snapshots" make backup and recovery easier than ever.
Unmatched Ease of Use
Includes $175 in Essential Windows Software
Parallels Internet Security by Kaspersky protects against virus and spyware threats, plus firewall and anti-spam. $79.99 value
Acronis TrueImage Home backup and recovery software for Windows. $49.99 value
Acronis Disk Director Suite disk partitioning software for Windows. $49.95 value
With more than 1 million users worldwide, the award-winning Parallels Desktop for Mac is the #1 Mac System Utility.*
90 Day Money Back Guarantee If you are not completely satisfied with Parallels Desktop for Mac for any reason, you may return the software directly to Nova Development within 90 days of purchase for your money back.
*No. 1 claim based on NPD Techworld Reports for the period 8/1/06 - 9/30/09. Reviews and awards cited may be for previous versions of Parallels Desktop for Mac. Windows operating system sold separately.
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