Why do YOU use Parallels?

[rogersmj]

Ever since the advent of Coherence mode (plus my upgrade to 2GB of RAM), I have been running XP through Parallels in Coherence mode nonstop. I have ditched the old Athlon XP 1400 computer I used to remote into all the time with CoRD thanks to the awesomeness of Parallels. I don't like running Windows, but I need to for two big reasons:

1. Outlook for Exchange (work email; no Mac solution out there cuts it to my satisfaction for Exchange)...and my phone's sync software
2. uTorrent (the only Mac client the site I belong to allows is Azureus, and I hate Azureus -- what a piece of bloatware)

And I also occasionally use Word, since Office in OS X sucks right now. I know some people aren't bothered by Rosetta slow-downs, but they annoy the crap out of me.

I dedicate 256MB of my 2GB of RAM to Windows, and it runs really amazingly well. With Coherence mode and Windows applications in my Dock, I am in integrated OS heaven.

People who aren't into computers will come over and see my setup, and at first they think I'm just running Windows on some other machine hooked up to the Dell monitor next to my iMac, but when I drag an OS X window over on top of the Windows windows, their jaws usually hit the floor...followed by "I'm going to look into getting a Mac!" or something similar. The impact on everyday consumers, once they realize that they can run Windows on a Mac if they really need to, is, I think, priceless. Parallels and Apple should have some kind of joint marketing campaign or something, because together they could raise awareness about this fantastic ability and sell even more Macs because of it.

Just my $0.02.

[Shadow]

Well I actually have Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Vista (Pre-RC1), Windows Server 2003 and FreeNAS in virtulazation on 2 machines (basically only Server 2003 and FreeNAS are on my PC). I have them "just incase" I ever need to use them (and just to try and make Windows crash :p).

[DavidLeblond]

I occasionally have to do some .NET programming for my side job, thats the only thing I really use it for. That and to check websites under Windows IE.

[aristobrat]

Three main things for me:

1 - VPN into work so I don't have to lug my work laptop home with me every night
2 - use my BlackBerry as a modem (when on the road and there's no WiFi :eek:)
3 - test other OSs (like FC6 and Vista)

Oh, wait. #2 is actually thru BootCamp because it doesn't work in Parallels. :(

[jeremy.king]

Because IBM is too lazy to make RAD and WAS compatible with OS X.

[wrldwzrd89]

Programming in Visual Studio for school and using Winamp to convert audio files to a format iTunes can play.

[MatthewConnelly]

I personally use it mainly for IE. As a †prospective web designer I try and make sure that my sites look the same in all major browsers. I can get FireFox/Opera/Safari on my Mac, but I needed Windows for IE 6 & 7. Boot Camp isn't really an option for me, I didn't want to be booting into different OSes constantly, so I was happy to splash the cash on Parallels.

[rogersmj]

Oh yeah, you guys helped remind me...I totally forgot about Visual Studio, I do have to use that on occasion. And I do a lot of web design, so having IE there is handy.

aristobrat -- the BB as a modem doesn't work through Parallels? I've never tried to use it as a modem, but when I had my BB I would sync it and load software on it through Parallels, so if all that works then I would think the modem would work. I could be wrong though, using phones as modems is not my area of expertise.

[psychofreak]

Minesweeper, I know there are OSX versions, I don't like 'em...
Minesweeper is the only game I am awesome at:
Beginner-6secs
Intermediate-39secs
Expert-102secs...
I am torn between the XP version in parallels, the vista one in bootcamp and the Ubuntu one in parallels which I just discovered...
And MS Paint - I want an OSX port...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I use it more or less exclusively to check that websites I develop/upgrade still works and, if at all possible, looks ok, in MSIE6 and MSIE7...

...oh, and the occasional round of Hearts... :p

[OwlsAndApples]

And MS Paint - I want an OSX port...

I'll second that! :D

[Allstermac]

As a recent PC to mac convert. I missed a game I've played daily for over 4 yrs now. Reversi (online) msn version. It was the remaining link why I held onto my old laptop... now the kid can have headaches with it;)

[yellow]

Active Directory Users & Computers.

Remedy (AKA Action Request System)

[Eraserhead]

Minesweeper, I know there are OSX versions, I don't like 'em...

What's wrong with MineSwept (http://www.malarkeysoftware.com/projects_MineSwept.html)? It's like the windows version but with more sensible shortcuts.

[wrldwzrd89]

Active Directory Users & Computers.

Remedy (AKA Action Request System)
Yeah, I hear you. Were you aware that Apple is (reportedly) implementing a 100% AD-compatible permissions system (using ACLs) in Leopard? This change will make life for users like you MUCH easier.

[Angelus520]

Because the firm I work for only does Winbloze and if I want to check my work email from home via the Web, I have to use IE. Using XP via Parallels is easier than lugging home my company's ThinkPad. Now, if only I could get all my work stuff on my MacBook via Parallels, life would be sweet. Our IT department is anti-Mac so that's not going to happen anytime soon.

[psychofreak]

What's wrong with MineSwept (http://www.malarkeysoftware.com/projects_MineSwept.html)? It's like the windows version but with more sensible shortcuts.

I have a trackpad only (got the highscores with my old PC, with a mouse)...with the Ubuntu version for example I can single click to see free space, or to expand on a filled number...this is ctrl-click only...

[Yoda47]

I have a bunch of Windows apps that I either can't find replacements for, or the replacement costs money. (I don't want to pay to buy a program that I already have, especially since I have other Windows boxes around.)

Also, Windows plays nicer with my domain controller than OS X for some things.

Oh, and 'cause it's darn cool too! ;)

[daneoni]

....Access, Dia & Visio. As well as some other Java software developed for windows only. Also as someone suggested its MAJORLY cool....especially with Virtue Desktops.

[eenu]

Coherence mode

I've never heard of this :confused:

EDIT: OHHHHH joust googled......that sounds sweet!

[psychofreak]

I've never heard of this :confused:

EDIT: OHHHHH joust googled......that sounds sweet!

Its only in the latest build, along with many other updates...

[grafikat]

....Access, Dia & Visio. As well as some other Java software developed for windows only. Also as someone suggested its MAJORLY cool....especially with Virtue Desktops.

I believe neooffice has an access type program.


I use it primarily for 2 work related programs not available on the mac (and as of a week from Monday, I'll be in an all mac office WOO HOO!)

...and Test websites

That's pretty much it....

sometimes my spouse needs to log into a web app that only runs under Windows IE (Won't even work on FF). I usually tell him to use my *old* dell laptop (Which I originally got to do the above tasks)

[eenu]

Its only in the latest build, along with many other updates...

I have the latest but can't find it :(

[psychofreak]

I have the latest but can't find it :(

Not the latest update, its a beta found here (http://forum.parallels.com/thread5997.html)...

If you go to view->coherence, its awesome...

[eenu]

Not the latest update, its a beta found here (http://forum.parallels.com/thread5997.html)...

If you go to view->coherence, its awesome...

And as a license holder i can still use this and my license will be used when this is finally released?

[aristobrat]

aristobrat -- the BB as a modem doesn't work through Parallels? I've never tried to use it as a modem, but when I had my BB I would sync it and load software on it through Parallels, so if all that works then I would think the modem would work. I could be wrong though, using phones as modems is not my area of expertise.
No love, at least with my Verizon 8703e.

[psychofreak]

And as a license holder i can still use this and my license will be used when this is finally released?

You can use this with no effect to your licence...

[czeluff]

1. Microsoft Word - Word for Mac is a POS. the 2008 version looks promising though.
2. VPN at work
3. Paint - no, i'm dead serious
4. Stripping all the .ds_store crap out of my pen drive after using it on a Mac.
5. Xfering FOLDERS to my pen drive. (actually, this is bootcamp)

Regarding #5, why is OSX SO SLOW at copying folders to a pen drive? The ONLY way you can transfer stuff to a pen drive quickly is my archiving it, and even then it takes a long time.

Time to fill up my 4gb pen drive in OSX using an archive: 9 minutes
Time to fill up my 4gb pen drive in OSX using a standard folder scheme: HOURS
Time to fll 4gb in Windows: 2 minutes

cz

[eenu]

the tools dont install in this beta for me!

[psychofreak]

the tools dont install in this beta for me!

Did you click this link (http://forum.parallels.com/thread5997.html)?

[Dave the Great]

To run OS X on cheap PC hardware.

[synth3tik]

I use it just to look cool.



I have been running windows on my MacPro, but still can't find any other software besides Sony's Sound Forge that I want to use...

[albeik]

I found parallels to be a great application. I started working on a project were I needed two servers each running MySQL (Master/Slave replication) and a Web Server on the Slave. Unfortunately, the hardware was not going to be in until 1-2 months into the project.

I now use parallels to run 2 CentOS Servers with MySQL Master-Slave Replication between them and a Web Server on the Slave. At the same time I also run Windows XP to test my Web Application with IE6, IE7, Firefox, Opera etc.. under Windows.

Not to mention I have Photoshop CS3 + Textmate + Navicat + iTunes + etc... running at the same time.

My machine is iMac 2.0GHz Core Duo with 2GB of Memory - and it's fantastic! :) I have had no slow downs - and everything just works!

Parallels allowed me to "virtualize" all my work without the need to have the hardware with me! :)

[eenu]

Its still not working at all!

EDIT: got it working just not on Dual mon....coherence is awesome

[freebooter]

Brainwave Generator is the only app I use that I can't find a Mac equivalent for.

[Nitromaster]

I dont have a mac yet but when I get one Ill be using parallels to virtualize ubuntu and windows vista just to show off to friends.

[swiftaw]

Microsoft Money

[psychofreak]

I dont have a mac yet but when I get one Ill be using parallels to virtualize ubuntu and windows vista just to show off to friends.

Vista on parallels needs real good hardware, my macbook CDghz 1gigRam just doesn't cut it...

[sushi]

And MS Paint - I want an OSX port...
If you can run Classic, there is always SuperPaint for Mac OS 9! :)

[Nitromaster]

Wirelessly posted (NokiaN70-1/2.0539.1.2/SN359380002126483 Series60/2.8 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

1. Microsoft Word - Word for Mac is a POS. the 2008 version looks promising though.
2. VPN at work
3. Paint - no, i'm dead serious
4. Stripping all the .ds_store crap out of my pen drive after using it on a Mac.
5. Xfering FOLDERS to my pen drive. (actually, this is bootcamp)

Regarding #5, why is OSX SO SLOW at copying folders to a pen drive? The ONLY way you can transfer stuff to a pen drive quickly is my archiving it, and even then it takes a long time.

Time to fill up my 4gb pen drive in OSX using an archive: 9 minutes
Time to fill up my 4gb pen drive in OSX using a standard folder scheme: HOURS
Time to fll 4gb in Windows: 2 minutes

cz

Why does macs take so long to copy stuff to usb devices?
I only have dialup at home so download nvidia drivers for linux in school on a mac.
It took 4 minutes to copy 1 file.

[jhande]

I use it for two different things:

1. Non-web development on different platforms (mostly Linux & Solaris)
2. Cross checking with Internet explorer when I do web development

One unexpected advantage was that I now have a separate image for each client, which allows me to avoid having several servers.

Now if only I could figure a simple way to
1. Convert to VMWare images (for those clients who have that)
2. Convert to bare metal

It's really nice to have my entire development environment on the laptop.

my .02

[devman]

1. To listen to English Premier League game broadcasts live (which worked on OS X for years until recently when premiumtv.co.uk switched to using windows DRM which means the OS X windows media player, flip4mac and vlc are all excluded. And this to digitally protect a crappy radio quality broadcast which would still sound fine if snagged with wiretap or similar. sorry for the rant...).

2, Quickbooks.

[Nitromaster]

Wirelessly posted (NokiaN70-1/2.0539.1.2/SN359380002126483 Series60/2.8 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Anyone try using cross over office for apps?
When i get a mac,ill probaly use parallels for windows live messenger.
Does any one know if isight is currently supported?

[KKP925]

I dont have a mac yet but when I get one Ill be using parallels to virtualize ubuntu and windows vista just to show off to friends.

Just installed Parallels and VISTA Business on my brand new Mac Pro. Installed CorelDraw X3, printer drivers, fonts, etc... Running extremely fast and very stable. Love this program. Just wish I knew how to have Parallels use my second HD for storing data files.... hmmm...:cool:

[akadmon]

I use it primarily to run Quicken.

[sethypoo]

I will be using Parallels to run SPSS. I wish SPSS would hurry up and get that Intel Mac version out. They claim that Rosetta messes up some statistical calculations. :(

[Adobe75]

I use Matlab (the Intel version isn't quite there yet last time I checked).
I also use it to show off to my friends and classmates and to show customers at the campus store. Coherence mode rocks.

[Digital Fury]

- Nokia PC Suite
- Handy Safe
- IE-centric webapps
- Update Visio documents
- Support (regression testing mostly) for my wife using a Windows-based laptop

[TMNT]

i use parallels for

1. MS access for research studies
2. completely clearing my pen drive (anyone know how to do this w/out windows?)
3. paint, of course!

EDIT: and occasionally, WordPerfect....sigh.

[sushi]

2. completely clearing my pen drive (anyone know how to do this w/out windows?)
Not sure what you mean.

But you can use Disk Utilities to format your Thumb Drive to MS-DOS.

There is an option button that will take you to another screen where you can select security ease (1, 7 or 35 passes).

Note, when you put your Thumb Drive back on a Windows computer you will see a couple of Mac OS bookkeeping files.

[MacsAttack]

I use it to run the HeavyMetal programs...

http://www.heavymetalpro.com/

Thats it.

Everything else I need I have as Mac-native software - though it would be nice to be fully UB. Lightwave is just about to go UB, we are all waiting for CS3, and I may ditch Office rather than upgrade if iWork 07 ever shows up...

[sunfast]

Navigation software. Sadly there is no alternative for OS X as it's my only reason to use windows! May try and get a few of my really old games (late 90s) working in it though to make it more worthwhile!

[ropeswing]

I just got a macbook pro and hooked up to my tv. I get 18hrs./month of online viewing with Netflix, but I need a pc...perfect solution!

[spaceballl]

I used Parallels Transporter to image my work PC onto my macbook. I travel every week for my job and it's MUCH nicer to only travel w/ one notebook now, way better w/ airport security

[sunfast]

2. completely clearing my pen drive (anyone know how to do this w/out windows?)

You could use terminal to delete those hidden files I assume you are referring to

[ivnj]

Simple Mac is very stable. But not everything works. 1 example no good FTP program for mac. Trust me I've tried them all.

Thanks,
ivnj

[Markleshark]

And MS Paint - I want an OSX port...

I can't understand why anyone would want that, but try PosterPaint (http://www.robbieduncan.net/cgi-bin/get_file.cgi?file=projects/mac/posterpaint/index)

[Nermal]

I occasionally have to do some .NET programming for my side job, thats the only thing I really use it for. That and to check websites under Windows IE.

Same here, I have Visual Studio all set up in VMware (not Parallels; I like the VMware UI better, plus I didn't want to buy Parallels until I'd seen VMware's offering).

[cwedl]

I use it for linux just messing around and getting the feel of it, and vista (well I have it installed but haven't used it yet)

[ivnj]

Poster Paint refuses to run my Pismo 10.3, 256, Pismo. Only my dads G5 10.4. Seashore is the closest to MS Paint I've found. But it doesn't save Gifs only reads them. Parallels is a blessing. So is bootcamp but Parallels with Coherence is the best ever.

Mac is super stable but a few things are still missing.

Plus Notetab Light let me search for a word or phrase in all documents I have open in it. Nothing on Mac I've seen does.

So it good. Best of both worlds.

Thanks,
ivnj

[daneoni]

.....I believe neooffice has an access type program.......

They probably do and thats cool BUT i can't use it. Simply because, i exchange critical database files with colleagues, which means there is no room for one font not looking right /printing right. There has to be 100% compatibility or i'm majorly screwed.

Sigh, the curse of monopoly. Using something because you have to not because its the best.

[deputy_doofy]

I happen to like MS Pinball and Spider Solitaire. Also, there are a few emulators that have only been created for Windows and I want to have them (old handheld stuff).

[foxxlet]

Dreamweaver 8 on parallels is almost infinitely superior to dreamweaver 8 for mac, under rosetta. I've had crashes on that, and once on the mac it renamed all the files in my website to random characters.

Also photoshop CS2 for windows is faster for the things I use it for under parallels than on the mac! quite bizarre.

[brand]

Street Atlas mapping and GPS software since there is not equal or alternative for OS X as of yet.

[mmsulli]

I finally had the sense to switch to a Mac but I work from home a few day a week and I can't afford to not be connected to the office.

There may be solutions to these things, so go easy on me; I just bought my iMac this week. :)

* I can't afford/justify buying Mac versions of software I already own for Windows (Dreamweaver/Fireworks, Photoshop/Illustrator, MS Office, etc.) just yet.
* I'm a bedding designer and my company uses Corel Draw for our design layout work. Yes, our entire design department uses PC's and Corel is still in business. But, there are no Mac versions of their software.
* I connect remotely to my office computer using MS Remote Web Workplace and I don't know how to tweak my Mac to get it to work yet.

That's why I bought Parallels, but I feel as if I defiled my Mac when I installed Windows.

I have already installed the GIMP and am thinking about Inkscape, Rapidweaver and OpenOffice as alternatives to my Windows software.

[biturbomunkie]

office 2007

chemoffice ultra

navigation software

have yet tested the possibility of updating my phone...

[phantasmagoria]

I use Windows via Parallels for testing web pages I'm working on with multiple versions of Internet Explorer and to run a local IIS server while developing ASP applications for clients with such a requirement. I use it for this reason on a daily basis and it works so well... I just love that I can write the pages in BBEdit, rather than having to compromise with a Windows-friendly editor, but still test them locally on an IIS server via the VM. :)

[gcdrwhom]

Demonstrating the DOS box to command-line newbies who only have Windows, so they can use VMD and NAMD to run molecular simulations.
RNAstructure 4.1
Nokia Developers Tools
Old PC games that I want to play again.

[psychofreak]

I can't understand why anyone would want that, but try PosterPaint (http://www.robbieduncan.net/cgi-bin/get_file.cgi?file=projects/mac/posterpaint/index)

It just doesn't feel as right...but I have deleted Parallels now I have Skitch :)

[Vanilla]

My wife and eldest daughter (6) share white Macbook. We installed Parallels software to run the plethora of educational childrens games we have that are PC only. It works a treat.
Vanilla

[iBunny]

I use VM Ware (Same as parallels) for Windows XP so I can use Microsoft Office 2003 SP2. I like it alot better than Office for the Mac, plus I need MS Access.

Also, I use IE for Myspace, which completly sucks with Safari/OSX.

Other than That, MS Paint and Syncing my LG Chocolate Phone

[phatphil]

I only use it to test sites in all browsers.

[Kashchei]

I'm about to buy 80 copies for all the machines in my department's lab. It was very easy to write a grant proposal to upgrade our machines to the only ones on the market that dual-boot. So Parallels will let the students run Windows apps while the machines remain in OS X. This was our IT guy's solution; I thought he'd prefer Boot Camp, but no.

[crazycat]

I only use parallels on my laptop and when i am on the go. Sometimes there are sites that wont play the video unless you use IE and so on but thats about it.

[armhol]

Sorry if this a bit off subject but you all might know the answer to this.

Does anybody know if I can use a PC program with FlexIM protection, through Parallells? Or will it be a bootcamp thing?

Thanks.

[gr8tfly]

N3FJP Amateur Radio logging software.

NASCAR RaceView - 3D virtual race coverage. Using Firefox. Works great, after GPU support was added in the latest Parallels update.

Running both in Win2K.

[jtrwallace]

I parallels for IE 7 and Visual Studio .NET. I also do love classic, windows-based minesweeper and solitaire. I've tried a lot of them on mac but they are too cool or too feature-ful... which sounds stupid but it's true. I've been teaching myself with a bunch of books that require Visual Studio .NET so I ALWAYS have Visual Studio open in coherence. For IE 6 I use CrossOver and then I also use VMware for Ubuntu 7.

[dstearns96]

it's too expensive and i doesn't even come with windows :(. microsoft should make a intel-compatible virtualpc :rolleyes:. it comes with windows. if i had paralels or virtual pc, i would use it for it's screensavers and windows-only software. if you had both, which would be your main OS, windows or mac. mine would be mac

[Patrick425]

i use parallels for gaming.