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Parallels or VMWare?

team 79 krunch

team 79 krunch

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 9, 2008
64
0
I am already running Bootcamp, for the Autodesk Inventor software. I would like to be able to run lesser applications, such as word and powerpoint, without having to reboot. First off can I install the same copy of VISTA Ultimate on both bootcamp, and parallels or VMware? Second which should I use Parallels or VMware?
 
Since you can't ever be using both copies of vista at the same time, it sounds like you are fine with the whole license agreement thing.

VMware tends to get higher ratings for being more versatile. I run parallels simply because that's the software I started with.

Both manufacturers have been running rebates, bringing the cost below $40 if you shop carefully.
 
I have VMware and would recommend it because you can move your virtual machines to other computers with VMware and use the virtual machines, something you can't do with Parallel because they don't have Parallels for Windows and Linux. Obviously you can't move the BootCamp, but if you create a virtual machine VMware is the better choice.
 
VMWare for me.

ESX Server @ Work does wonders for P2V and we have about 500 or so servers in our in our infrastructure.

On the home front Fusion runs Vista and XP like a champ.
 
I run VMWare Fusion on my iMac, and find that it works beautifully, I haven't tried Parallels though. Just make sure that you max out the ram on your MBP, Currently when I boot Vista in VMWare, I get around 4,000 pageouts with 2 GB of RAM in my iMac, with 768Mb allocated to Vista.

Don
 
VMware, easily. I can't put my finger on why, it's just better. VMware have been in the VM game for a long long time. Fusion 2.0 (currently in beta 2 I think) is going to improve things even further.
 
I think that best solution is download both apps and try them personally. I chose Parallels and this app perfectly suits my needs. At least for now :rolleyes:
 
What about CrossOver? Does anyone have experiences with that?

I'm also having difficulties deciding which one to choose (once I get my MBP). The thing is, I'd be willing to make a complete switch from Vista to OS-X, however, there are certain programs that I find indispensable and are incompatible with OS-X, therefore, I'd definitely need something to access them quickly whenever I needed them (while still in OS-X).

So what would be the best, fastest, least "buggy" software? :p
 
Installing XP on boot camp partition. Or not?

So, I'm duly awaiting a MBP. I'm going to install XP on the machine but am now in a fuddle. Is it generally best to Install Windows on a BootCamp partition and then add it to the VM client? Or is it the same as installing it as a virtual machine in Fusion or Parallels? Does it perform better off of the BootCamp partition? Thanks.
 
VMWare..... its very stable..... uber stable actually and you have way more control on your VM than in Parallels!
 
jon08 said:
What about CrossOver? Does anyone have experiences with that?

I'm also having difficulties deciding which one to choose (once I get my MBP). The thing is, I'd be willing to make a complete switch from Vista to OS-X, however, there are certain programs that I find indispensable and are incompatible with OS-X, therefore, I'd definitely need something to access them quickly whenever I needed them (while still in OS-X).

So what would be the best, fastest, least "buggy" software? :p
Click to expand...

Crossover can work great, and doesn't need an actual copy of windows if the app you want is on their approved list.
 
Can you make a virtual machine with VMware and put in on an external drive and run Windows that way? I have an app I'd like to do this for, I don't have the room on the internal drive.
 
bcaslis said:
Can you make a virtual machine with VMware and put in on an external drive and run Windows that way? I have an app I'd like to do this for, I don't have the room on the internal drive.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have both Parallels and VMware and run the VMs from the external drive. VMware 2.x is faster than Parallels 3.x but supposedly Parallels 4.0 is even faster.

I use a FW800 external drive housing for a 200GB 7200rpm 2.5 inch drive.

Cheers,
 
panzer06 said:
Yes, I have both Parallels and VMware and run the VMs from the external drive. VMware 2.x is faster than Parallels 3.x but supposedly Parallels 4.0 is even faster.

I use a FW800 external drive housing for a 200GB 7200rpm 2.5 inch drive.

Cheers,
Click to expand...


I have been using parallels 4.0 with my bootcamp partition for the past few days and I have to say it's much slower than my old parallels 3 setup. Also, there are a TON of bugs with 4.0 with converting your old VM, or setting up 4.0 with your bootcamp partition. Take a look at the support forums on parallels site, a plethora of people with serious issues. I certainly wouldnt recommend parallels 4 yet because of the overwhelming amount of issues. (Took me over an hour just to get my mouse to work within the VM!)

Isn't Fusion 3 on the horizon too? I've read some good things about that.
 
i started with paralles 2.x ... and was fine ....
then came paralles 3,xx that was heavyer ...
so i tryed VMWare 2.xx and it was faster than parallels 3,xx ...
now parallels 4,xx is faster than vmware 2,xx ...

so now i`m using parallels 4,0 more fequentily ... but when vmware release the 3.xx i will try it out to see if i have to switch again ... :p
 
ArturFelipe said:
i started with paralles 2.x ... and was fine ....
then came paralles 3,xx that was heavyer ...
so i tryed VMWare 2.xx and it was faster than parallels 3,xx ...
now parallels 4,xx is faster than vmware 2,xx ...

so now i`m using parallels 4,0 more fequentily ... but when vmware release the 3.xx i will try it out to see if i have to switch again ... :p
Click to expand...

thats a pretty expensive way to go if you are a legit user
 
dukebound85 said:
thats a pretty expensive way to go if you are a legit user
Click to expand...

both gives good trial period for you to find out what to buy or not ... so there is no excuse to not try it out ...

and for upgrades there are promotions ... now if you buyed parallels 3.xx with just $40,00 (half price) you can upgrade to 4,xx ... and vmware is in promotion to ... $60.00 .... so ...
 
jon08 said:
What about CrossOver? Does anyone have experiences with that?
Click to expand...
I tried CrossOver and became frustrated with it. It's fine if you have a specific app that is supported at the GOLD level (if memory serves). Other levels are not completely stable. Plus CrossOver may not support the application that you want to run.

Best to check their website and see if what you want to run is supported.

Parallels and VMware are both good. The competition between the two keeps them both improving. Many early issues have disappeared and both are stable.

The nice thing about Parallels or VMware, is that they support an OS install. As long as the OS is supported, once set up, any applications that you choose to install and run on that OS work.

VMware is an industry standard so if you want to move your virtual machine to another computer you can. Parallels can do this, but with fewer OS options. I believe both can convert an virtual image created by the other.

To the OP, personally I would suggest trying both via their free trial periods and then make your decision.
 
I'm currently using VMWare and am quite happy with it. And they have a sweet deal going on right now where you purchase the older version of VMWare in store, and get a 20 dollar rebate AND a free update to the latest version. Can't go wrong IMHO.
 
team 79 krunch said:
I am already running Bootcamp, for the Autodesk Inventor software. I would like to be able to run lesser applications, such as word and powerpoint, without having to reboot. First off can I install the same copy of VISTA Ultimate on both bootcamp, and parallels or VMware? Second which should I use Parallels or VMware?
Click to expand...

The 'problem' of using bootcamp for the new mbp is that, vista/xp uses the 9600 graphic card only, making the whole laptop warm/hot. The current 9400 integrated graphics card is good enough for most applications.
 
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