Review: Paralells Desktop For Mac
Posted by Sean Fallon on August 18, 2006
Filed Under Approved Products | Stumble This
Ever since Intel processors made their way into Macs, everyone and their mother has been trying to figure out the best way to run Windows and OSX on the same machine. At this point, your two best options are Apple’s Boot Camp and Parallels Desktop software.
So, is virtualization with Parallels really better than dual booting with Boot Camp?
Reviews:
Arstechnica: (Recommended) “Move over emulation, virtualization is in and it’s hotter than two Jessica Albas wresting the devil himself in a pit of molten steel. It’s no contest, virtualization has it all: multiple operating systems running on the same machine at nearly the full speed of the host’s processor with each system seamlessly networking with the next. Add to that the fact that it’s cheaper than getting a new machine and you have the guaranteed latest craze. Not even the Hula Hoop can stop this one.”
Macworld: (4 1/2 out of 5) “Parallels’ ability to run nearly every version of Windows, along with many versions of Unix and Linux, makes it a valuable tool for anyone using an Intel-based Mac who has a need or desire to work with other operating systems. If your job requires Windows, but you love your Mac and OS X, Parallels will truly give you the best of both worlds. If you put your Parallels session in full screen mode, anyone walking by won’t even be able to tell that under the Windows façade, you’re actually running the world’s greatest operating system.”
Product Features:
- Easy to install and use
- Can Run any OS on the same time as OSX
- Can easily share files between Windows and OSX
- Compressor technology can reduce he size of virtual hard disk images by 50% or more.
- $79.99 Price tag
Bottom Line: As far as I’m concerned, virtualization wins this battle hands down. Parallels makes it possible to run apps from any OS within OSX almost as fast as if they were running natively. Even Apple is touting the software on their “Get a Mac” page.
Note: Parallels has released a beta update for the Parallels Desktop software package. Click here for more information.
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[...] By the way, if this is your first Intel Mac, consider running Parallels instead of Boot Camp. It is one of the best pieces of software I have ever used. Filed Under: Desktops, Approved Products [...]
[...] Apple direct reseller MacMall is now offering new Macs with Windows XP pre-installed using either the official Boot Camp beta or Parallels Desktop. [...]
[...] The MetaFacts study has also determined that more than two-thirds of Macs in current use were bought since 2004. This seems to lend credence to the iPod Halo Effect, a term for the phenomenon that occurs when owning an iPod causes users to switch from the PC to the Mac. When combined with the fact that running multiple operating systems and virtualization is now possible on Intel Macs, I would imagine that Apple will continue to gain market share on Microsoft over the coming years. I know it prompted me to make the switch. [...]
[...] I’ll admit it, I love the Parallels Desktop with a burning, flaming passion. In all honesty, it has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. That is why I was so excited to hear that a major update is currently in beta. [...]
[...] 2. Parallels: This is the software that really sealed the deal for me with regard to making the PC to Mac switch. OS virtualization with Parallels gives me the best of both worlds. Why should I have a PC when I can run XP (along with a myriad of other OSes) at almost native speeds right inside OSX? [...]