Parallels 9 vs. Fusion 6 (Merged)

[Bear]

Don't do it unless you 100% must do it. Find a mac alternative to the windows program you are using. Save your money.

It sounds like the OP wants to run VMware for a while to transition over to the OS X based applications. This gives them time to try different OS X applications and find which are the best for their needs.

I've found Parallels to have the edge in performance.

And VMware has the edge in providing free patches instead of forcing paid upgrades. Parallels is better for some things, VMware for others.

 

[LadyX]

Both have free trials so you can download and see which is best for you. If you want Windows for gaming purposes then Parallels is the best option as it offers better gaming performance than Fusion. I have both Parallels and Fusion on my Pro. I run Windows XP on Fusion while Vista and Windows 8 on Parallels. Both are excellent however I use Parallels more and no there aren't any ads.

 

[CH12671]

Even if it did work it would definitely be in breach of the Windows license to run an OEM copy in a VM.

Not true. Nowhere in the agreement does it discern between physical or virtual machine.

The main difference (as you will be concerned) is that the OEM license cannot be transferred to another machine down the road.....so if you buy another mac at some point, and want to re-install your VM, then you will have to buy another copy of windows. This is where the price difference more than catches up to you.

FWIW I'm running OEM win 7 x64 on parallels 9 right now on my 13" MBP. And before parallels 9, I ran it on parallels 8. I've had no problem whatsoever for over a year.

 

[saz25]

I've found Parallels to have the edge in performance ( both, speed and CPU consumption ).

The best you can do is try the both yourself, use the free trials like other people have mentioned.



Give it a try regardless. Nothing to lose.

Can the same OEM version of Windows work at the same time in both VMs? That's so I could install both VMs and then install Windows on each. Then decide to delete the VM I don't want.

Can this be done with a single OEM Win 7?
Thanks
Steve

 

[CH12671]

Can the same OEM version of Windows work at the same time in both VMs? That's so I could install both VMs and then install Windows on each. Then decide to delete the VM I don't want.

Can this be done with a single OEM Win 7?
Thanks
Steve

You could probably do this, since it's still on the same hardware. However, just to be safe, you might want to not activate win 7 until you decide which virtualizer you want to use. You have 30 days to activate win 7. Once you decide on VM software, then uninstall the other and activate windows.

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I haven't tried this, though...so proceed with caution. The main thing I was pointing out is that OEM will most certainly work, just fine, on Parallels. The reason for the price difference is simple
1) Cannot transfer license to a new computer
2) No technical support from MS on OEM version...this saves them the money, and they pass on a little of that savings to you.

 

[bernuli]

Can the same OEM version of Windows work at the same time in both VMs? That's so I could install both VMs and then install Windows on each. Then decide to delete the VM I don't want.

Can this be done with a single OEM Win 7?
Thanks
Steve

I think it is a waste of time trying out both. Plus there is a chance of some conflict between the 2 programs and associated drivers (just guessing here). I suppose if each has a decent uninstall program, you could try one then the other.


B

 

[glenthompson]

I would not go to the trouble of trying both. It's not worth the time and effort. Unless you have demanding needs, either should do fine for you. I started with Parallels and have been satisfied with it. I have both XP and Win 7 VMs running. Their upgrade price is high but less than most Windows upgrades.

You can't go wrong with either.

 

[LV426]

Parallels stopped working for a lot of uses after upgrading to Mavericks, the recommended solution being to upgrade to the latest version. That wasn't good. What will happen when the next version of OS X is released?

VMware had no such issue for me,

 

[LadyX]

Parallels stopped working for a lot of uses after upgrading to Mavericks, the recommended solution being to upgrade to the latest version. That wasn't good. What will happen when the next version of OS X is released?

VMware had no such issue for me,

I use Parallels on Mavericks and it's working fine.

 

[Stella]

Parallels stopped working for a lot of uses after upgrading to Mavericks, the recommended solution being to upgrade to the latest version. That wasn't good. What will happen when the next version of OS X is released?

VMware had no such issue for me,

Not entirely true. Parallels 7 stopped working which is two years old, while v8 runs just fine.

I expect P8 will stop working with OSX10.10

 

[LV426]

Not entirely true. Parallels 7 stopped working which is two years old, while v8 runs just fine.

I expect P8 will stop working with OSX10.10

Entirely true. A lot of people were using that version of Parallels. Which stopped working with Mavericks.

Since the next update of OS X is going to be free, it will see a lot of adoption. Unless, of course, you're running software that will stop working. It would be a shame if P8 users had to shell out more cash in order to keep their computers working.

 

[calaverasgrande]

I've used Virtualbox for the last year or so.
It gets the job done.
It is free.
It doesn't let you open a windows document from finder right into a windows app like some VM hosts do.
However it doesn't invade the rest of my OS with context menus and keepalives.
It also has pretty geeky adjustments for nerds like me, but works fine on our sales and marketing Macs for people that aren't total nerds.
Honestly Parallels crushed my old Mac mini so badly it wasn't worth it to me to use. I wouldn't use it at all if I didn't get free copies everytime I buy a Mac from B&H.

 

[Stella]

Entirely true. A lot of people were using that version of Parallels. Which stopped working with Mavericks.

Since the next update of OS X is going to be free, it will see a lot of adoption. Unless, of course, you're running software that will stop working. It would be a shame if P8 users had to shell out more cash in order to keep their computers working.

The OP, just said "Parallels stop working", which isn't quite accurate now is it? P8 didn't stop working, what stopped working was version 7.

Also, it was well known that P7 would stop working, it was posted on their website.

The performance benefits you'll get from Parallels 10 next year is probably worth upgrading from P8 anyway...

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Why? It would only be one copy running on one system.

You're right.

The main difference (as you will be concerned) is that the OEM license cannot be transferred to another machine down the road.....so if you buy another mac at some point, and want to re-install your VM, then you will have to buy another copy of windows. This is where the price difference more than catches up to you.

This is the correct answer.

Apologies for the error OP.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Parallels 9 has one other nasty that hasn't been mentioned. Parallels 9 force installs Parallels Access even if you deselect the option to install this on installing/upgrading to 9. Parallels also sees fit not to provide an uninstaller for it.

Not cool.

http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?290358-Uninstalling-Parallels-Access

Yep, this is what made me immediately uninstall Parallels.

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I am using Parallels since 7 years, presently Parallels 9 on a MBP and I have never seen any ads. The only thing they show is a when there is a major new version, which happens about once every 18 months or so. Is that what you mean with the ads?

No, they are referring to the "suggestions" that you install all sorts of junk from their software partners.

I'm amazed that more people dont notice this.

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These links revert to 2011 and 2012, I have used version 8 and 9 since begin of August this year and have nevers seen an ad.

They are there in the latest version of PD9.

Between that and their forced installation of that Access garbage (without uninstaller), I will never use PD again.

VMWare is a much more professional company and isnt run by people who have absolutely no respect for their customers. Hell, i'd use Virtualbox over PD and I despise Oracle.

Parallels also has the worst support of any company I have ever encountered in the enterprise which really puts me off their consumer products like PD.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Between that and their forced installation of that Access garbage (without uninstaller), I will never use PD again.

Parallels Access Uninstaller Script

I have been with Parallels since V5, buying the upgrades every year. I'm not sure what these ads are that you're referring to.

Parallels is an excellent product. I use it 24/7 to run two Linux VMs at the moment and occasionally a Windows 8 VM. It has improved in stability, performance and features with every release.
If I have one complaint it is that I wish they'd offer slightly better upgrade pricing than they do.

Hell, i'd use Virtualbox over PD and I despise Oracle.

I installed Virtualbox when the Superdrive on my previous iMac died and I needed it for a kludge to reinstall Bootcamp, and I can't see anyone ever making this choice. The only good thing I can say about Virtualbox is that it is free. You get what you pay for.

 

[LV426]

The OP, just said "Parallels stop working", which isn't quite accurate now is it? P8 didn't stop working, what stopped working was version 7.

The original comment, made by myself was "Parallels stopped working for a lot of uses after upgrading to Mavericks". That is completely true and accurate.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Parallels Access Uninstaller Script

Oh right, I should have searched the internet and their site, to remove software which I did not want installed in the first place, or auto-run on login and provided features for their ridiculous iPad tie-in which is poor implemented, buggy, overpriced and I have no interest in?

Parallels "uninstallers" typical leave files all over the place anyways.

They are an absolutely rubbish company

I installed Virtualbox when the Superdrive on my previous iMac died and I needed it for a kludge to reinstall Bootcamp, and I can't see anyone ever making this choice. The only good thing I can say about Virtualbox is that it is free. You get what you pay for.

You're clearly quite enamoured with Parallels so this is to be expected. Every single other product they make is a rotting cesspool of code and is completely devoid of support. Plesk? Virtuozzo? PA? Ugghhh. They make products like Windows ME seem like shining beacons of software engineering.

I was given a free copy of Parallels Desktop 9 by our Parallels account manager and I would still use Virtualbox over it any day of the week, free or not.

oh and the very tired old adage of "You get what you pay for" really doesn't hold much water given the current state of opensource software.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Oh right, I should have searched the internet and their site, to remove software which I did not want installed in the first place, or auto-run on login and provided features for their ridiculous iPad tie-in which is poor implemented, buggy, overpriced and I have no interest in?

Or you could try a Google search for "Parallels Access Uninstaller" and make note of the top two hits. No need to search at the Parallels website.

I installed the Parallels Access Agent of my own volition, to try it in the 6-months of free subscription I got with the purchase of PD9. There is an install button for it in the Preferences.

I agree with you that the uninstaller should be just as intuitive, e.g. in the same place. However, the uninstaller script worked just fine for me. It's easy enough to see exactly what it does.

As for the Access app itself, I found it worked really well. It's not worth the price of that subscription for me though and I wasn't really using it so I took this opportunity to use the uninstaller.

You're clearly quite enamoured with Parallels so this is to be expected. Every single other product they make is a rotting cesspool of code and is completely devoid of support. Plesk? Virtuozzo? PA? Ugghhh.

I wouldn't say I'm "enamored", thanks. Let's just say I do not regret the purchase and it has been working well for me these past few years. On the occasions I have needed support, I filed reports and was assisted. I also find their forums useful, although there could be more of a corporate presence there. I don't use any of the other products that you mentioned, so I can't comment.

They make products like Windows ME seem like shining beacons of software engineering.

Parallels consistently rivals or wins in head to head performance comparisons versus Fusion, particularly in Windows gaming. I'd say software engineering is the least of their problems.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Furthermore, I just jumped in here to address your claims of a lack of an Access uninstaller. I'm not promoting PD9 over Fusion. I am just saying I've had a good experience with PD9 myself.

Aside from the DirectX gaming performance advantages of PD9 and some other assorted features, they're really similar in price and performance.

Those who are in the market to buy should check out the excellent head to head articles by Macworld and Ars Technica, evaluate what their own needs are (will you be gaming, are any of the particular special features of one or the other particularly attractive?) and make their own decisions.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Or you could try a Google search for "Parallels Access Uninstaller" and make note of the top two hits. No need to search at the Parallels website.

I got the download link and key a number of days before the general public release. Not only was there no Google listing for that page but i'm pretty sure it did not exist at all at the time. It was enough for me.

Parallels consistently rivals or wins in head to head performance comparisons versus Fusion, particularly in Windows gaming. I'd say software engineering is the least of their problems.

I am almost certainly severely biased against Parallels because of the appalling standards and support of their other software (Enterprise). Parallels Desktop is a completely separate development team and is of a much higher quality but in the past few releases I have noticed things that I dont like about Parallels as a company start to permeate through. I believe this to be due to the influence of Birger Steen - a person I have met on a number of occasions who I think is steering Parallels in a bad direction.

 

[dyn]

Not true. Nowhere in the agreement does it discern between physical or virtual machine.

It highly depends on the version of Windows you want to run. There are differences in this between XP, 7 and 8 for example. The same can be said for OS X (10.5, 10.8 and 10.9 all differ when it comes to use in virtual machines).

The main difference (as you will be concerned) is that the OEM license cannot be transferred to another machine down the road.....so if you buy another mac at some point, and want to re-install your VM, then you will have to buy another copy of windows. This is where the price difference more than catches up to you.

Not quite true. The main difference is indeed that an OEM license is tied to a specific machine and cannot be transferred to another, an ordinary license can be. This is one part where XP, 7 and 8 differ (which is why your explanation is not quite true). There have been Windows OEM versions that were only allowed to be sold with real hardware and thus you can not and are not allowed to run it in a vm (a vm is not real hardware). Windows 8 has seen a big change in this area. The OEM license has become the system builders/full retail license (the naming is a bit vague but it is usually referred to as PUL). Running it on real hardware isn't mandatory any more. You can use this version for running on bare metal as well as a guest OS (Microsoft even recommends this version for use in a vm).

To make a long story short: read the license agreement of the Windows version you want to run. It'll tell you if running in a vm is allowed or not. The same applies to OS X (running 10.8 in a vm has its limitations!). There is also the possibility that you are not allowed to upgrade the virtualisation software as this changes the hardware too much and thus is seen as a new/different machine (VMware Fusion 6 is known to do this).

Technically you can run an OEM version in a vm without any problems indeed.

To give you an example, take a look at the Windows XP OEM license for the system builder. Check out points 2, 5a and 5c. The version for Windows 7 is even more strict, it simply tells you it may only be used with real hardware (so no vm use is allowed at all): System Builder License Requirements. The following clearly explains that in order to use OEM software yourself you have to be a system builder: Licensing for Hobbyists.

Anyway, for more information about this you can check out Microsoft OEMs licensing website.

 

[GIZBUG]

I am now in the need of running Windows 7 or Windows 8 on my mac for some of my Work Apps. Running Mavericks on my MacBook Air. After reading this thread, it's evident that Parallels is expensive, and their upgrade model is pretty poor (Dropping $50+ a year for a new version).

Appreciate the insight, will keep searching for a solution to my needs

 

[dyn]

That would be Oracle Virtualbox since VMware has a similar policy as Parallels (it's only a wee bit more relaxed).

 

[glenthompson]

I am now in the need of running Windows 7 or Windows 8 on my mac for some of my Work Apps. Running Mavericks on my MacBook Air. After reading this thread, it's evident that Parallels is expensive, and their upgrade model is pretty poor (Dropping $50+ a year for a new version).

Appreciate the insight, will keep searching for a solution to my needs

You don't always need a new version when it comes out. I went from ver 7 to ver 9 when needed for Mavericks. You might need an upgrade every two to three years. Price isn't so bad when amortized over that period.