CNet’s Crave has a great writeup on performance of Fusion versus Parallels for Windows virtualization on the Mac. I’ve been excited since Parallels came out about this — especially for my work at Mozilla, it’s fantastic, as it means I can take a look at Windows builds of Firefox, other apps, etc — all with my MacBook Pro. As much as I like Parallels, though, I’ve found its performance erratic — and at times it overwhelmed my system resources. I’ve been trying Fusion lately, and my experience has been a lot better. It seems to perform better, and it’s much better behaved with respect to running other applications. Parallels has a better UI, I think, and its “coherence” mode seems to be better than Fusion’s “unity” mode. But I found using Parallels that I’d often have to restart my machine to get performance back okay — Fusion so far seems a lot better, so I’m going to stick with it for a bit.
More on VMWare Fusion v Parallels
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How much is each? And then you have to purchase a separate Windows Vista license right? I guess I could look this up. Install straightforward for both, correct?
How much is each? And then you have to purchase a separate Windows Vista license right? I guess I could look this up. Install straightforward for both, correct?
They’re each $79, plus the windows license. Installation is super easy on both.
They’re each $79, plus the windows license. Installation is super easy on both.
I have tried both on my Mac Book core 2. I have to agree I like Parallels UI better than Fusions. The tests that I have seen done were on a Quad core Mac Pro. Hardly the normal system for most users. I am not sure speed is a issue for what can be really done with ether Parallels or Fusion. I think stability is more of a issue here. Plus, support for those that need help. If you really need speed for gaming, Boot Camp is still the only real choice. Native OS running will always beat out Virtual software. But at $160 to $200 for Parallels or Fusion and a copy of Windows. Due you want to spend that for access to IE or Outlook express? I find after booting Parallels and starting Windows XP I could have done the same thing starting boot camp? I personally don’t switch back and forth that much.
I have tried both on my Mac Book core 2. I have to agree I like Parallels UI better than Fusions. The tests that I have seen done were on a Quad core Mac Pro. Hardly the normal system for most users. I am not sure speed is a issue for what can be really done with ether Parallels or Fusion. I think stability is more of a issue here. Plus, support for those that need help. If you really need speed for gaming, Boot Camp is still the only real choice. Native OS running will always beat out Virtual software. But at $160 to $200 for Parallels or Fusion and a copy of Windows. Due you want to spend that for access to IE or Outlook express? I find after booting Parallels and starting Windows XP I could have done the same thing starting boot camp? I personally don’t switch back and forth that much.
There’s a review of vmware and Parallels on a Macbook pro here http://www.designtalkboard.com/reviews/parallel…It seems mainly for graphic designers, but vmware seems to come out on top again.I like Parallels better from a features point of view, but vmware is certainly more stable. Parallels used to freeze my Mac constantly.
There’s a review of vmware and Parallels on a Macbook pro here http://www.designtalkboard.com/reviews/parallels_vs_vmware.php
It seems mainly for graphic designers, but vmware seems to come out on top again.
I like Parallels better from a features point of view, but vmware is certainly more stable. Parallels used to freeze my Mac constantly.