VMware Fusion

also, how does it compare with the latest Parallels (4.0)?

 

I like it a lot to run various Windows Programs that I need on a regular basis. It allows me to live my work life in OS X but still have quick access to Outlook and the workplace's enterprise systems. Really it all depends on what you need from Windows.

I run VM as a virtualization layer that runs off my bootcamp partition. Its overall pretty speedy on a 2.0 Alum MacBook., when I need the fastest Windows experience I boot off the bootcamp, otherwise I stay within the VM window.

 

Amazon has it for $39 and change right now...

 

the advantage is that you dont have restart your computer to jump into windows. If you dont mind restarting every time then just use the bootcamp program that comes with your computer already. If you want to be able to jump into windows as easily as launching an application then get VM Ware. I think thats basically what it comes down to.

 

There is a little more to it than that.

When you're running your Windows installation as a virtual machine, you're doing so within OS X, so both OS's are essentially running at the same time. You can also share files between the two - if you're using a VM to run a Windows program (someone in the thread mentioned Outlook; I'll use that as an example), you can then move files back and forth between the two OS's. In this example, you can receive an email with an attachment in Outlook running under Windows, then save and open the attachment in OS X.

 

Fusion let's you emulate over 60 OSes right on top of your Mac. You can run multiple VMs (each emulated OS is called a VM) at the same time. Parallels Desktop 4 also does this, and imho, albeit in a much smoother style.

 

I have both Parallels and VMWare Fusion, and I prefer Fusion. Both work fine, but I have fewer problems with VMWare. Its Unity mode is superior to Parallels' Coherence, and not once has VMWare's networking crapped out on me -- I've had to reinstall Parallels at least once a month because it just stops passing the network connection through to Windows.

 

I've had a direct opposite experience from mrogers, and found parallels significantly more reliable and less resource intensive (especially in new version 4) than vmware. My vmware bit the dust twice, and Parallels has always been strong. I run Parallels nearly constantly for GM's software and some other things.

Depending on what you want to do, you may want to look into Crossover and Crossover Games. I also run these; crossover is a Wine based project, but offers a much easier interface than standard darwine installations and comes with great support. It won't run all windows software, but its great for games that don't rely on directx and most office software... though Office 2008 should be sufficient for most people.