I just finished putting up some Benchmarks of Windows 7 using the latest builds of Parallels, Fusion and VirtualBox with both x86 and x64 based images on various Macs. More results coming soon. [URL]
View 3 RepliesAny thoughts on how VirtualBox compares to the Fusion and Parallels versions? I think VirtualBox would be a nice free alternative if you are running Windows in Bootcamp.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI'm a MBA Rev. A user (first day 1.8/SSD). I recently upgraded the stock SSD with a Photofast 128GB model for more space. Both before the SSD upgrade, and more noticeably after, my Windows XP virtual machine seemed to run poorly: fequent "pauses" and generally really slowly. At that time I was using Fusion; I decided to give Parallels a try. Slightly lower RAM footprint, but still slow. I found that disabling the shared folder feature helped somewhat; adding the NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate registry key also helped somewhat.
Still frustrated, I tried Fusion 3; that didn't help. Then Parallels 5 came out, and I had missed the free upgrade cutoff by 3 weeks. Even more frustrated, I decided to try VirtualBox. Oh, my. It installs easily. It does everything I need. It runs smoothly (no pauses, good speed in the VM). It's FREE. Bonuses: the RAM footprint is even smaller; the hard drive container file seems smaller (even with exactly the same contents inside the VM). The only downside is a lack of "coherence" or "unity" mode, which I never liked anyway.
I am a rock-solid convert to VirtualBox, and highly recommend it over the commercial products for running a Windows XP virtual environment (I have not tried Windows 7, nor will I; with only 2GB of real RAM in an MBA I cannot imagine that will go over well).
I need to switch from VirtualBox to VMware fusion, however the virtual HD file formats are different. Whats the easiest way to migrate?
View 1 Replies View RelatedI'm looking to create a virtual machine on my i5 MBP because I need to run some specific Windows software (Tacx Training Software, I'm into cycling). Which one of the 3 virtual machine programs is better from a performance/stability perspective? Has anybody seen a comparison test yet? I understand that VirtualBox is free for personal use, is it really worth paying for the other two?
View 10 Replies View RelatedI know the issue of what virtualization package is best on the mac has been debated endlessly, but the only thing I have been able to conclude is that some people have great experiences with each package and some people have horrible experiences with each package. I'm interested in some numbers and figure this place is a better forum for collecting this data than, say, the apple store.
View 10 Replies View RelatedI currently run Fusion on my iMac but I really would like the try the new version of Parallels that came out this week.
Will I mess anything up by installing the demo version while still having Fusion installed? Of course I wouldn't run both at the same time, just have both installed.
I read that for gaming, Bootcamp is the way to go, but for other general Windows use, Parallels or Fusion is the way to go.
But for me, I am planning to play games - hence Bootcamp - as well as use Parallels/Fusion for general use, namely to use Microsoft Office Onenote (an unbeatable note-taking software that needs a Mac version yesterday).
Is this even possible and how much memory will the additional parallels take (I'm planning a 40gb bootcamp partition btw on a 250gb hard drive)?
I'm having pretty bad difficulties with Windows 7 and Parallels Desktop. I know it's not supported yet, but some folk have it working. I can boot up, but I can't install Parallels Tools. I changed the Configuration to "Windows 2008 Server" like someone suggested in another forum, but fails to boot up.
Seems like VMWare are offering a better helping hand than Parallels Desktop - and while it is not supported yet by them, they say that if you use Windows 2008 Server Config everything works apart from sound.
So am I best giving it a bash with VMWare's Fusion? 30-day trial for free. But I'd rather try get Parallels working since I paid for it.
Anyone tried to boot the Windows 7 XP Mode withi Parallels or VM Ware Fusion? Would be interesting to know if that works?
View 6 Replies View RelatedDoes anyone know whether the free virtual machine images Microsoft offers developers to test older versions of Internet Explorer will run in Parallels or Fusion?
View 3 Replies View RelatedI wanted to to know and make a post comparing VMware Fusion 3 and Parallels Desktop 5 with the new updates. Which one is better in running multiple OSs at the same time. Do they support hypervisor. Cause i want to create a virtual environment to learn Server 2008 and Mac Os Server. Which one would be better to use VMware Fusion 3 or Parallels Desktop 5. As I said before I want this thread to be used to compare the two programs so if anybody else has question post them more question the better, of coarse if we get answers.
View 24 Replies View RelatedWith winter break approaching I was planning to get some PC games(COD:MW2, Battlefield etc) and play them during break but I'm not sure which software would be best to play those games. I've looked at VM Fusion, Parallels and Bootcamp but I'm still not sure as to the advantages and disadvantages of each. Is there a way i can use a playstation 2 controller to play pc games running through bootcamp? I've heard that I need some kind of an adapter but I've been unsuccessful in finding one so far.
View 6 Replies View RelatedI am an architect and I will be mostly using my new imac to work on Autocad 2010 along with a couple of other windows based applications. I understand the concept of the three methods of using windows but I do not know which would provide the best performance whilst working on Autocad, without it becoming a laborious task to load it up everyday.
I will be rocking dual monitors so I quite like the idea of Parallels or VMWare so that I can have Windows open on one monitor and Leopard on the other. But will this have a negative effect on the performance of Autocad? Also, which of these two is the better?
Not sure if I should get vmfusion or parallels to run windows 7 on.
They both seem to be as good so I guess I am shallow enough to go for the best looking.
I will trial both with windows 7.
Can I do that with a single license copy of W7?
BTW I read very thread on ag v glossy and small text problems with hi res and worried for weeks!
As a 63 yr old with glasses for short sightedness (and a short temper) I am delighted with my 15 inch hi-res ag!
I'm currently running Parallels 3.0 (XP Pro) off of a Boot Camp partition on my Macbook Pro. I'd like to give VMWare Fusion an audition, and am wondering if I can run it off that same BC partition that Parallels uses -- or if that will create some kind of conflict that might damage the partition. I'm not talking about having Parallels and VMWare running _simultaenously_ -- only installing them both to use the same partition.
View 8 Replies View RelatedI am getting ready to finally "make the switch" to Mac and I need a Virtualization solution to ease the transition for my wife and let me run my work environments as well. I have been considering VirtualBox [URL] which is free for personal use, as well as VMWare Fusion 3, and Parallels. The satisfaction rating seems to be lower with the Parallels users (maybe disgruntled on charging folks for 2 upgraded within 2 months of each other) so I have almost ruled it out, but I still need to decide.
The big thing here is that I need this software from day one to make sure my wife doesn't have to miss a beat during the transition. I'd rather not be reinstalling Windows _again_ in 2 weeks to switch solutions. Anybody have any experience with VirtualBox on Mac and can maybe share some of the shortcomings versus VMWare Fusion or Parallels? Is there good reason fork over the cash and go with Fusion or Parallels?
I had Parallels 5, to run the odd extra OS for giggles and sometimes practical reasons. At work they have VMWare for the odd XP program. Eventually, they both annoyed me with their bloated nature. I dunno about you guys but I downloaded VirtualBox, and I am very impressed with it to say it's free. With Parallels, running Windows XP with 1GB of ram, my fans would blow franticly. The same on VirtualBox, and everything is smooth, it is so lightweight, has all the features and supports OS's a lot more than Parallels and VMWare.
View 9 Replies View RelatedParallels is expected to announce as early as Thursday the sixth major upgrade to its Windows virtualization software for Mac OS X, delivering a significant performance boost over its predecessor, as well as 80 other new features.
The new Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac has been shown on average to run 40 percent faster than last year's edition, according to people familiar with the matter. Those same people said that the upgrade -- expected to retail for the same $79.99 price as its predecessor -- will also feature Windows boot times that are roughly two times faster than version 3.1 of its primary competitor: VMWare Fusion.
VMware and Parallels have gone head to head in the virtualization market since 2008, when the Fusion product was first introduced. Parallels has existed since 2006, and both products retail for an identical prices. In a recent study, Parallels 5 was already found to be 30 percent faster on average than VMware Fusion 3.
Parallels 6 is also expected to showcase tighter integration with its users' natural environment, adopting support for the Mac OS X's keyboard shortcuts, Spotlight search engine, and Expose windows management features. Similarly, the upgrade will offer the option to automatically apply a Mac's parental controls to their corresponding Windows applications, according to those familiar with the product.
Another major focus for Parallels is said to be gaming. Version 6.0 will reportedly deliver up to two-fold performance improvements while adding support for Dolby 5.1 surround sound and better handling of 3G environments.
Parallels 6 will sport compatibility with an enhanced Parallels Mobile application that will offer users the option of remotely accessing their virtual machines on an iPad, as well as an iPhone or iPod touch.
Parallels Transporter, previously a standalone application that allowed users to migrate a virtual PC image to the Mac, will come built into the new release as well.
Earlier this week, Parallels Desktop 6 was spotted on the shelves of a Fry's Electronics store in California. The product has not yet been formally announced.[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Was just looking for some advice on which virtual machine you guys are finding works better on Snow Leopard.
I have Parallels 4, which I had on Leopard as well, with windows XP. Pn leopard it ran beautifully, however since upgrading I find its unbearably slow, and causes my whole system to slow down. I dont know if this is with parallels or with my system in general, as I have had a bit of trouble with Snow Leopard, though I believe I have sorted that out.
How have people found VMware to run in comparison to parallels? Is it worth switching?
When I boot Fusion with MacAffee I get a message that there is an updated version of Fusion is ready for download. When I go to the site I'm offered a choice of just Fusion or Fusion with MacAffee. Since the boot message only talks about Fusion should I do the only Fusion download. Or should I get the combined one?
View 1 Replies View RelatedCan VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop run operating systems other than Windows? Not that I need it or want it, I'm just curious.
View 1 Replies View RelatedHowever, I am unwilling to give up the easy of using AnyDVD and CloneDVD2. I am successfully using them via Boot Camp, but I really don't want to reboot just to copy a movie.I have tried Sun's VirtualBox and get an error when I start the copy process.My question to the world: Has anyone successfully used VMware Fusion 2 or Parallels with AnyDVD and CloneDVD2?
View 2 Replies View RelatedI just ordered the MBA and windows 7. There's some (but not a lot) of somewhat intensive programs I need to run in windows for school. Is there any noticeable difference between loading windows in bootcamp or virtualbox? My thinking is bootcamp would allocate more of the computers resources to windows. Am I wrong about this and theres no major difference?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI am wondering whether to install win7 via bootcamp or virtual box. My macmini has 2GB memory so if I do a virtualbox install the max I will allocate for win7 is 1GB. I will not be using win7 a lot, I am installing it because my univ gives it for free and just wanted to test it out and play with it. Also, one more problem, the MSDNAA download for win 7 is in EXE format. If I do decide to install as a VM using virtualbox how can I install the EXE, I might have to convert it into a ISO right?
View 4 Replies View RelatedAnybody know how to change the screen resolution? Currently, the max resolution I get is 800x600.
View 2 Replies View RelatedI downloaded Win 7 ISO, because I thought I was supposed to download that instead of the other, to install on VirtualBox. With the ISO version I need a previous version of windows to upgrade from. Is there a way around this? I've read some things and tried it, but couldn't get it to work.
View 5 Replies View RelatedWhen I want to finish a session of using Vista in VirtualBox. If I "x" out the application, "it says "save in state" or something like that and "power off machine" is power off machine different than shutting down windows? What's best to do and what does what? I'm assuming also that I can't just close virtualbox and come back to it later without windows being shut down or affected?
View 1 Replies View Relatedis there any way i can have virtual box access my windows OS installed via bootcamp?
View 8 Replies View RelatedI've set up an account for my kids to use and also have VirtualBox installed on my account.
The kids have an educational program that only runs under Windows and I would like to give them access to it but not to the rest of VB. Is there any way I can do this?
I've thought of perhaps creating a new VB disk just for them but I can't see how I could restrict them from then opening up other VB disks that I don't want to give them access to.
