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Vm Fusion vs Parallels vs Bootcamp

Which would you choose

  • VM Fusion

    Votes: 37 31.1%

  • Parallels

    Votes: 58 48.7%

  • bootcamp

    Votes: 24 20.2%
  • Total voters
    119
phpmaven said:
4GB is overkill for a VM. When I first started using Fusion, I thought you needed to allocate RAM like it was a physical PC. but it can run fine with much less ram. XP for example (which is the only version of Windows I would use) runs fine with 512MB.
Click to expand...

That's more then what physical XP needs ...
I use bootcamp for gaming, however I use parallels on all other occasions. 4GB RAM isn't overkill, it is easy to use over 4GB when running many programs on both OSes. 8GB I nice but not necessary for
Most people. OP for your uses 4GB is fine.
 
I believe Citrix is coming out with a thin client kind of hypervisor that will allow you to run OSX and Windows next to each other like bootcamp, but switch between them like with parallels. Not sure how well it works, but if they can do that and keep it stable that would be the cinch.
 
Parallels is a pretty good product. Have not tried VM so I will not go there. Bootcamp is decent but having to boot in either Windows or Mac sucks.
 
Fusion for me

I recently downloaded VMware Fusion and imported my bootcamp partition. I was on the fence for a LONG time as to which virtualization software to go with.

ultimately I chose Fusion because from the COUNTLESS threads and hours of research, I gathered Fusion was more stable. Secondly, VMWare just seems like a company that really supports the products they put out. I got the impression from many others that parallels support wasn't the greatest.

bottom line is I only use windows for quickbooks and a donor relations software. Both of which do not require a whole lot of power. So sacrificing parallels supposed speed advantage for Fusion's supposed stability was one I was willing to make.

so far so good.
 
maflynn said:
Oracle's open source stance is concerning to the point where I'd not expect much from them.

Just look at the forking of open office because of their stance.
Click to expand...
Please elaborate about your take on the forking of OpenOffice.

Is their a free office suite that runs on OS X & Windows that you find suitable?

I value your opinion.

Thanks.
 
Mr M5 said:
How do you know if window's is OEM or not OEM?
Click to expand...

You can order an OEM system builder licensed copy from Newegg and it works fine. I think this poster must mean you can't use a version you would get with say a Dell computer, and install it on your MBP. That won't work, as those licenses don't transfer.

By the way, I use Parallels and it's great! Have Fusion too, and it is OK, but I prefer Parallels.
 
mikepro said:
You can order an OEM system builder licensed copy from Newegg and it works fine. I think this poster must mean you can't use a version you would get with say a Dell computer, and install it on your MBP. That won't work, as those licenses don't transfer.

By the way, I use Parallels and it's great! Have Fusion too, and it is OK, but I prefer Parallels.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm getting a copy from a friend so I'm assuming it's oem as he bought it and it didn't come with a computer. I'm planning to get parallels too.

Thanks for everyone's help.
 
Ok so I'm trying to get this installed and setup tonight.

the vm say's the product key to windows is incorrect and I need to change it, where do I go to change it?

Also, does the window's disk need to remain in when using the VM? I dont' think it does but just want to make sure it doesn't once set up.

Thanks,
 
Mr M5 said:
Ok so I'm trying to get this installed and setup tonight.

the vm say's the product key to windows is incorrect and I need to change it, where do I go to change it?

Also, does the window's disk need to remain in when using the VM? I dont' think it does but just want to make sure it doesn't once set up.

Thanks,
Click to expand...


1. That means you've used up all your licenses and you have to buy another one. You can always try with the people on the phone line though. Works sometimes for me at least.

2. No, it doesn't.
 
I am running Parallels 6 on my iMac. I thought it was a bit flaky at first, but after a few updates it runs great on my system.
 
PowerGamerX said:
1. That means you've used up all your licenses and you have to buy another one. You can always try with the people on the phone line though. Works sometimes for me at least.

2. No, it doesn't.
Click to expand...

How do we know i just didnt type it wrong?
 
Mr M5 said:
How do we know i just didnt type it wrong?
Click to expand...
We assume you have tried more than once.

Also, if you call for a phone activation the answer to the question 'is this the only computer you have installed this version of Windows on?' is 'Yes, this is the only computer. I've just reinstalled it a bunch of times for testing purposes.'
 
DustinT said:
We assume you have tried more than once.

Also, if you call for a phone activation the answer to the question 'is this the only computer you have installed this version of Windows on?' is 'Yes, this is the only computer. I've just reinstalled it a bunch of times for testing purposes.'
Click to expand...

No, that's what I'm asking. The only time I was able to enter the code was on install. Now it say's it can't find it or it's in correct-so where do I re enter it? Or do I have to delete the whole VM and start over?
 
For work purposes I need to virtualise three Windoze machines and I use VirtualBox which is excellent. There's a new release that fixes the issue with 64-bit mode.

I only use Bootcamp for gaming but sometimes virtualise it with VM Fusion, mostly when downloading new games from Steam while working in Mac mode.

Tried Parallels 6 but never again since it doesn't cleanly uninstall itself and caused me many issues.
 
ONce I finally get windows installed to the vm, how do I install window's programs from disks to the vm?
 
DustinT said:
The absolute best way to do this involves the least amount of compromises. Do a Bootcamp installation and when you have completed that you can install Parallels and it can run your Bootcamp install under Mac OS X. Its brilliant because if you really need a pure environment you just Bootcamp it. The other 90% of the time Parallels is more than enough. Its a great solution that I highly recommend.
Click to expand...

This is really interesting, especially for gaming. one question, would the windows settings in bootcamp mode be the same as running it through parallels? or is it like having 2 versions of windows?
 
Ok, I finally got this thing all up and running, pretty cool so far so good. Just one question, how do I install a program to the window's part (which I can do), but set the short cut to only show under window's desktop and not mac's?
 
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