VMWare vs. Parallels

Qua Sar · Qua Sar #1 (**permalink**)

12-03-2008, 09:56 AM

Hello,
I would like to know the difference between VMWare and Parallels. Is there any major competitive differences? Does one run better with lower ram (I have a Core Duo Macbook Pro 2gb ram)

jimd144 · jimd144 #2 (**permalink**)

12-03-2008, 06:44 PM

I have VMWare and love it. It supports dual processors and USB very well. You can try it for free. I would give 1GB ram to either.

VMware has been in the VM business the longest. Parallels is also a fine product. You will be happy with either.

Why not try both? They can both run together, and then when you buy, you just activate the one you will use.

Qua Sar · Qua Sar #3 (**permalink**)

12-03-2008, 07:30 PM

Can VMWare, like parallels run a virutal machine off boot camp?

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

12-03-2008, 09:57 PM

Yes, both Fusion and Parallels can use your Boot Camp partition as a VM. However, you need to be aware that Windows will nag you to activate again if you run your Boot Camp installation of Windows in a VM. In my opinion, it's best to either run Windows natively using Boot Camp, or separately using the VM method, but not both ways.

Regards.

Qua Sar · Qua Sar #5 (**permalink**)

12-03-2008, 10:01 PM

well i play baldur's gate but also like to use Visual Studio... which i use through VMWare so i can also do other thigns... so i prefer both.

Kash · Kash #6 (**permalink**)

12-03-2008, 10:25 PM

I used to use Parallels, but decided to give Fusion a try once it hit version 2.0 and turns out the latter is noticeably faster. I would definitely recommend VMware Fusion over Parallels now.

Qua Sar · Qua Sar #7 (**permalink**)

12-04-2008, 12:19 AM

ok, i also could try virtualbox what do you guys think of it? Also, does paralels or vmware (or virtualbox) support any gaming? specifically Baldur's gate 1 and 2/Icewind dale 1 and 2?

Sawday · Sawday #8 (**permalink**)

12-04-2008, 08:24 AM

I had v1 of VMWare Fusion. Installation was so easy I thought I had done something wrong. I hadn't and it ran XP and all my legacy windows software like a dream. I initially had problems getting XP to recognise my printers but with version 2 all that has been sorted and I'm printing quite happily. XP under fusion2 now also gives direct access to my OS folders without tinkering(My documents, My Pictures are mirrored in Fusion) which is an added bonus. I can recommend Fusion - especially as you can trial it for a month for free.

THeBadMonkey · THeBadMonkey #9 (**permalink**)

12-04-2008, 11:18 AM

I currently run Fusion of all of my work tools that aren't mac native and I have to say it is my favourite program on the mac for the ease of use and features. The one that clinched it for me was unity, which allows you to place the running program, say baulders gate, onto the dock. Later on you can just click on this, it will unsuspend the VM, open baulders gate and close down the rest of the VM leaving only Baulders Gate running.

Kash #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 03, 2006 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 9,385 Mac Specs: Black Macbook C2D 2GHz 3GB RAM 250GB HD iPhone 4 iPad 3G	12-03-2008, 10:25 PM I used to use Parallels, but decided to give Fusion a try once it hit version 2.0 and turns out the latter is noticeably faster. I would definitely recommend VMware Fusion over Parallels now. June 2007 July 2009
	QUOTE Thanks

Sawday #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 19, 2006 Location: York, UK Posts: 868 Mac Specs: 24" Aluminium, 2.8 GHz, 4Gb RAM. iPad2, iPhone4	12-04-2008, 08:24 AM I had v1 of VMWare Fusion. Installation was so easy I thought I had done something wrong. I hadn't and it ran XP and all my legacy windows software like a dream. I initially had problems getting XP to recognise my printers but with version 2 all that has been sorted and I'm printing quite happily. XP under fusion2 now also gives direct access to my OS folders without tinkering(My documents, My Pictures are mirrored in Fusion) which is an added bonus. I can recommend Fusion - especially as you can trial it for a month for free. Happiness is not getting what you want, but wanting what you get.
	QUOTE Thanks

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Qua Sar #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 23, 2006 Posts: 246	12-03-2008, 09:56 AM Hello, I would like to know the difference between VMWare and Parallels. Is there any major competitive differences? Does one run better with lower ram (I have a Core Duo Macbook Pro 2gb ram)
	QUOTE Thanks

jimd144 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 02, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 145 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro	12-03-2008, 06:44 PM I have VMWare and love it. It supports dual processors and USB very well. You can try it for free. I would give 1GB ram to either. VMware has been in the VM business the longest. Parallels is also a fine product. You will be happy with either. Why not try both? They can both run together, and then when you buy, you just activate the one you will use.
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,991 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	12-03-2008, 09:57 PM Yes, both Fusion and Parallels can use your Boot Camp partition as a VM. However, you need to be aware that Windows will nag you to activate again if you run your Boot Camp installation of Windows in a VM. In my opinion, it's best to either run Windows natively using Boot Camp, or separately using the VM method, but not both ways. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

Qua Sar #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 23, 2006 Posts: 246	12-03-2008, 10:01 PM well i play baldur's gate but also like to use Visual Studio... which i use through VMWare so i can also do other thigns... so i prefer both.
	QUOTE Thanks

Qua Sar #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 23, 2006 Posts: 246	12-04-2008, 12:19 AM ok, i also could try virtualbox what do you guys think of it? Also, does paralels or vmware (or virtualbox) support any gaming? specifically Baldur's gate 1 and 2/Icewind dale 1 and 2?
	QUOTE Thanks

THeBadMonkey #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 108 Mac Specs: Black Macbook: 2.4 ghz dual core 4gb Ram 250gb Hdd	12-04-2008, 11:18 AM I currently run Fusion of all of my work tools that aren't mac native and I have to say it is my favourite program on the mac for the ease of use and features. The one that clinched it for me was unity, which allows you to place the running program, say baulders gate, onto the dock. Later on you can just click on this, it will unsuspend the VM, open baulders gate and close down the rest of the VM leaving only Baulders Gate running.
	QUOTE Thanks

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