Parallels or VMware


Recommended Posts

They are both good pieces of software, however, VMWare tends to be my preference. It feels like it puts less drain on my iMac and with the new 3.0 version, it can run Vista / 7 to their full capacity. It's a great upgrade.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to say Parallels is better, even when pitting the older version 4 against the brand new VMware 3. I have both running on a one week old 17" MacBook Pro. VMware looks cleaner, has more intuitive menu layout, supports Aero. You'd think it would come out a winner. BUT, Parallels is just faster. I'm talking real-life performance here, I don't bother with benchmarks. My XP and W7 virtual machines boot in half the time on Parallels, and applications within them are more responsive. On top of this, there seem to be significantly fewer visual artifacts in Parallels' Coherence mode than there are in VMware's Unity mode. Resource allocation (RAM, etc) is configured identically between the two programs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had been using Parallels for over a year, but recently switch to VMware Fusion for the 64-bit snow leopard support and I'm not looking back. I will most likely be buying it once my trial is over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am using the Trial version of VMWare 3 with Windows 7.

I am still waiting on my license key (they have placed the hold on my CC - but not processed the transaction - wtf)

Overall - performance is much improved - particularly the graphics improvements.

I like the menu option, and the title bar in full screen mode as well now. Looks much cleaner.

Quick Overview

I have a MBP 2.6 Core 2 Duo, 4GB Ram, 7200 rpm HD.

VMWare 2 - Win 7 - 1 Core, 1 GB Ram - Mac OS Optimisation

Processor: 4.5

Memory: 4.5

Graphics: 1.9

Gaming Graphics: 1.0

HD: 6.7

VMWare 3 - Win 7 - 1 Core - 1 GB Ram - Mac OS Optimisation

Processor: 4.5

Memory: 4.5

Graphics: 2.9

Gaming Graphics: 3.4

HD: 6.7

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now that Parallels 5 just released today, I am stuck between a hard rock. I used to use Parallels, but switched to try VMware 3, but now based on the new features in Parallels 5, I might switch back. I plan on trying and benchmarking tonight when I get home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Are virtual disk files interchangeable between Parallels and VMWare? Its fun to try everything, but its not so much fun to have to call Microsoft to activate Windows because you keep reinstalling it.

I think I'm going to go with VMWare Fusion.

I have a question: What OS do you prefer to run in your VM, and 32-bit or 64-bit? I have spare licenses of XP Pro SP2, Vista Home Premium 32bit, and Vista Ultimate 64bit. What do you think would be the best choice for me to run in VMWare Fusion? I would prefer Windows 7, but don't want to spend the money right now (in "Fusion" view some Windows 7 features are useless.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why not save $$ and use Boot Camp?

Convenience factor. I usually use VMware Fusion to launch Windows so I can test web sites in IE or manage ESXi servers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why not save $$ and use Boot Camp?

You can get VMWare Fusion for as cheep as $48.00 on eBay atm (not sure how good the seller is but 98.9% positive 6300 sells).

If you only have 1 or 2 programs that need Windows, then it is a bit of a hassle to have to reboot your computer just to use them. But the performance hit does suck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.