Parallels vs VMware Fusion

[tutuava]

A friend of mine needs to run some pc programs on her Mac for her work, while at the same time using the Mac side for other programs. As far as I understand it should be possible to do this with programs like Parallels and VMware Fusion.

The idea is to install Windows 7 (she runs snow leopard on a new Macbook) - are there any issues to be aware of? Will everything basically work? And which is the easier and more solid program, Parallels or Fusion?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[fr]

I don't have experience with Parallels, but I use Windows 7 with Fusion in Lion. It works fine. Fast with no issues so far.

You can even use VirtualBox if you want to go the free route, but I don't know if you drag and drop files between Mac and PC with that.

 

[secretanchitman]

i like vmware because i can point it at my boot camp install of windows 7 and it'll run/virtualize it no problem. i personally had some bad experiences with parallels back in the day so i never bothered to use it, though parallels 7 looks like a real nice upgrade.

 

[Kaido]

I've had repeated issues with Parallels. VMware is slower to release updates (especially flashy ones like Parallels likes to update), but far more stable in my experience. VirtualBox has also been fairly stable, but lacks a lot of nice features that VMware has. Depending on your friend's needs, it may suit her though.

 

[runawayprisoner]

If she plans on running anything that involves 3D within Windows, then definitely get Parallels as it has much better GPU virtualization than VMWare.

If she doesn't plan on running any 3D application, then VMWare or Parallels makes no difference at all, and the rest depends on preference, and pricing.

Personally, I prefer Parallels now to VMWare. I was a VMWare fan until Fusion 3.1... where Parallels 6 was much better for my use.

 

[Paperlantern]

I use VirtualBox for all Virtualization in Mac OSX right now. I have a Macbook Pro from late 2008 and run a Windows XP VM with VB with no issues. You can't drag and drop files with it, but you can mount folder "shares" with it automatically each time you boot the guest OS and swap files to and from guest and host OS with no issues. Even if it doesn't fit her needs, what could it hurt to check it out you know? It's free.

 

[Kmax82]

If she plans on running anything that involves 3D within Windows, then definitely get Parallels as it has much better GPU virtualization than VMWare.

If she doesn't plan on running any 3D application, then VMWare or Parallels makes no difference at all, and the rest depends on preference, and pricing.

Personally, I prefer Parallels now to VMWare. I was a VMWare fan until Fusion 3.1... where Parallels 6 was much better for my use.

This.

I was staunchly in favor of VMWare until Parallels 6. Now with Parallels 7 out, I feel like VMWare is too far behind in 3D performance to really catch up.

 

[tutuava]

Thanks everyone for your replies! No 3D is needed so it sounds like she'll be fine with either

 

[Red Storm]

I have Parallels 6 (soon to be 7), but if she doesn't need 3D performance you can just go with VirtualBox. It does the job and - more importantly - it's free.

 

[Zaap]

Agree, definitely try out Virtual Box first and see if it will do the job for her. I was surprised how well it fit my needs for free.

I've used all three, but only on desktop systems. If I were using a MacBook, I'd personally go with Parallels for trackpad gesture support. It's just icing on the cake in addition to fastest performance and most seamless.

 

[jalaram]

Parallels 7 is on sale for $69.99 at Newegg.

$10 off w/ promo code EMCKAKJ63, ends 9/7

Link

 

[Gavinni]

Or you can get it for $39.99 with a student discount.

 

[dawks]

My buddy and I both prefer VMware Fusion.

Parallels just released version 7.

VMware teased a release of Fusion 4 (on twitter).. We should see an announcement fairly soon.

 

[manly]

Fusion 4 just landed.

I'm not seeing much except for official Lion support (won't help me on SL). Looks like they took the "Pause" feature from VBox and made it better, I'd pay for that but not $50.

Parallels 7 has a cross-grade offer from VMware Fusion for $30.

 

[jalaram]

I have an old copy of Fusion, so that's nice to know. I hope someone does an updated review of Fusion vs Parallels vs VirtualBox.

 

[jalaram]

Ars article on the new Fusion 4

Not much more info unfortunately.

 

[bearxor]

I had to snag the Fusion 4 trial to install Windows 8. It seems a little nicer on the management of virtual machines side, but I don't think I'll spend $50 to upgrade. Think I'll wait until I can get it on an academic discount or something.

My recommendation has always been that you should get Parallels if you want to live on the bleeding edge and don't care how your windows is integrated with OS X. Fusion is a far more elegant and stable solution and they really go out of their way to make Windows act like it's a part if OS X, rather than being separate. This comes at the cost of frequent updates, however.

 

[alfa147x]

I like Fusion Better. It's less flashy but it just feels "snappier"

 

[jaise]

i remember sawing a video showing parallels outperforming fusion but that was back when parallels was v6 and fusion was v3.

Now both have never versions (v7 and v4), the results might have changed.

having said that, i still bought a fusion 4 (see discount here) since i also own and use other vmware software such as workstation and vsphere.

 

[manly]

i remember sawing a video showing parallels outperforming fusion but that was back when parallels was v6 and fusion was v3.

Now both have never versions (v7 and v4), the results might have changed.

having said that, i still bought a fusion 4 (see discount here) since i also own and use other vmware software such as workstation and vsphere.

I didn't click through the referral link; what's the discount?

Interesting performance metrics from InfoWorld:

Mac virtualization face-off

 

[Emulex]

you can use bios440.rom with vmware

 

[jalaram]

you can use bios440.rom with vmware

Pardon my ignorance, but what's that for?

 

[jaise]

I prefer workstation 8 due to the fact that it can be integrated with vpshere. I bought it off a vmware discount promo code.

Just tested windows 8 32-bit in workstation 8, looks good and snappy so far.

 

[rugby]

I prefer workstation 8 due to the fact that it can be integrated with vpshere. I bought it off a vmware discount promo code.

Just tested windows 8 32-bit in workstation 8, looks good and snappy so far.

Well, considering that Workstation doesn't run on a Mac this post is kind of pointless.

 

[jalaram]

Ars' take on Fusion