Publisher's Description
From Parallels:
Parallels Desktop for Mac is the first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X on any Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook or MacBook Pro. Unlike dual-boot solutions, in which users must completely shut down Mac OS X and endure a full OS start-up cycle to access a important application, Parallels Desktop for Mac empowers users with the ability to run important Windows programs like Outlook, Access, Internet Explorer and all other applications without having to give up the usability and functionality of their Mac OS X machine even for a few minutes.
What's new in this version:
- Major enhancements to the look and feel of Windows programs in Coherence
- Coherence support for Exposé and Transparent Windows
- Support for overlapping several Windows and Mac windows in Coherence
- Ability to silently boot into Coherence mode
- Linux PC and virtual machine migration to your Mac using Transporter
- Ability to change your VM’s disk format using the updated Image Tool
- Ability to change Sound Devices ‘on the fly’
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 226 votes
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Current version:
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"Parallels Desktop for Mac saves using two machines"
Version: Parallels Desktop 7.0.15055
Pros
When needing to run Visual Studio or programs only made for Windows they can run in coherence mode without starting the Windows OS. Excellent program for the cost, even better with the student discount.
Cons
Requires a separate license of Windows. Takes up space on the drive for the whole OS when only one or two programs are needed under Windows. Requires a second IP address to run without any issues when using a browser within the Win OS.
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"Better than Fusion in ways that are the most important."
Version: Parallels Desktop 7.0.14924
Pros
Interface and set-up are very straight forward. If you have Fusion you can migrate the VM from Fusion to Parallels to try it out (as I did) I started with Fusion and after 2 major versions of Fusion I didn't realize how much it slowed down my machine. Parallels is able to shut down my VM and my laptop without specifically closing out of the app. Fusion couldn't do that. Also I upgraded XP 32 but to V7 64 bit on Parallels, again something Fusion couldn't do. Integration between the VM is very smooth. Able to launch Win or Mac programs from within either interface or "lock down" the integration. Gives you a Safe Mode to try a trial install of Win software and be able to toss the changes if the software isn't what you thought it would be. Makes it easy to install a trial software and try it
Cons
Doesn't have as many OS options as Fusion (not that I used them) Also there is a number of ad-ware popups that occasionally launch promoting their own "store". These are rare and once dismissed don't show themselves again.
Summary
Personally, I prefer Parallels over Fusion. Fusion seemed more "clunky" than Parallels. But, I have a roommate who prefers Fusion. Do a trial of one and migrate the VM to the other during that trial. See which one you prefer.
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"VMware fusion has up the ante."
Version: Parallels Desktop 7.0.14924
Pros
Fast, stable, easy to use, good feature set. The same can be said of VMware fusion.
Cons
Cannot run client versions of Leopard, Snow Leopard, or Lion. This you can do in VMware fusion.
Summary
It's already time for parallels to update this software, to put it on par with be VMware fusion.
As of now, with the ability to run client versions of Leopard, Snow Leopard, or Lion in VMware fusion beats parallels. -
"Version 7 is very good Support is lame"
Version: Parallels Desktop 7.0.14924
Pros
Last version worked the first time upgrading from version 6. I have been using the product for a few years now and this version seems faster. My machine is three years old so speed is important. I am still on XP Pro and Office 2007. Upgrade price is good. Buying and downloading worked perfectly.
Cons
Support is lame. They guys supporting the product are located in India or Pakistan and they do not **** about the Mac. I discovered that in the Parallels folder which is located in the Documents folder, I had stuff dating 2008. I wonder what that was. I asked them about that and I received the stupidest answer you can think of, showing they did not knew anything. If I had followed advices like removing version 6 totally using the Terminal I would have messed the product. I finally did some testing on a backup HD to discover that I had like 100 GB of useless stuff from previous installations including some snapshots. I deleted those snapshots which were too old and most of all data from previous versions. All is perfect now.
Summary
A very useful product, well designed, at a competitive price, easy to master. Perhaps there are too much options for a beginner. You must RTFM if you want to appreciate the product. Installing XP was like I was on a real PC. I had a genuine XP pro OEM since I bought it with the Imac.
I will add to my review that after more days working with it, I am still very pleased most of all by the speed and also, by the ease of use. I did not have any crash or bad experience. I installed a program with a weird installation process and it worked. Communication with the Mac from inside Parallels works very well.
Updated on Oct 18, 2011
About the persons supporting the product, they seem to be nice guys, but totally lost. Funny because with Norton Internet Security on my PC, I dealt with persons located in those countries and I was very impressed. They solved my problem by taking control of my machine or telling me exactly what to do. Perhaps, they should change the companies giving the support or think about buying them some Mac, so they learn the basics. -
"crashes, slow not ready for prime time and never will"
Version: Parallels Desktop 6.0.12094
Pros
I guess you can run windows sort of??
Cons
NO customer support
Summary
save your money
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"Parallels will crash beware! Backup your Windows!!"
Version: Parallels Desktop 6.0.12094
Pros
Ease of switching back and forth from MAC to Windows
Cons
Unstable on the MAC system and tends to crash your VM OS easily. Also slows the MAC sys down.
Summary
I used to be a big supporter of Parallels. I was first out of the gate to buy it and started with version 3. While using Version 3 my OS crashed within the VM environment about 3-4 times. of course they have support FAQs to get you back up. I then upgraded my MAC to Snow Leopard and it crippled Parallels. Version 3 will not run on MACS Snow Leopard. So I had to purchase version 6 (80.00) so I could get back online again. I had to reinstall my XP OS again. Now since I have had Version 6 my system has crashed within the VM environment for about the 3rd time now. Guess what... It's still down and will stay that way until I find a better software. I may try out VM Ware.
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"Just convenient and state of the art."
Version: Parallels Desktop 6.0.12092
Pros
I run a 32 bit Windows 7 Ultimate under Parallels 6 on a MacBook Air and it is fast, reliable and very convenient. For my needs better than native on an PC.
Cons
No cons to mention.
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"Un -Usable on my Macbook"
Version: Parallels Desktop 6.0.12092
Pros
over promises
Cons
under performs
Summary
It hangs, doesn't support the USB driver that I need for two of my programs and even caused one kernel panic. I am very disappointed.
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"Works for me"
Version: Parallels Desktop 6.0.12090
Pros
Reasonably good support (frequent updates); good suite of tools and appliances to make it easy to work with multiple VMs
Cons
Performance is improving, but still not as good as native
Summary
When you only need to use an OS occasionally, or you want to be able to easily cut/paste between windows of different OSes, this is a great solution.
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"Does the Job - Dirty Uninstall - Switch to VMWare"
Version: Parallels Desktop 6.0.11994
Pros
Better integration of mounted drives
Works without fuss.
Seamless integration.Cons
Takes up more memory compared to VMWare Fusion.
Uninstall leaves the Icons and "Open with" options.Summary
I needed my Windows programs because that's what I use on my job (Microsoft-based Systems Development) so I tried Parallels and VMWare Fusion, out of the box, with same apps installed on the VM (Software development tools and MS Office on WIn7 64-bit with 2CPU/2GBRAM). I am using a Macbook Pro (early 2011) with Intel i5 and 8GB of RAM.
Contrary to what I have been reading on reviews, the UI is "smoother" and better in VMWare than in Parallels. When I use Parallels, most of the time, my "Inactive Memory" grows so big that my Free Memory gets down to zero -- then may machine really slows down.
Although, I like the way that Parallels manage the sharing of mounted devices between host and VM. With WMWare, I had to do some tweaks to get "direct" access to a mounted drive.
I am not a gamer, so I cannot give any comment on this area, which is the main advantage of Parallels, as they say.
So I decided to buy VMWare Fusion, and uninstalled the trial version of Parallels. The uninstall was a bliss. However, the "Open With" options still have references to the Parallels VM... the icons for Windows-based files still have that Parallels icon (with the two vertical red bars). I tried some solutions that I found in the web but my system is still "dirty". So I had to restore my Macbook.
I have not tried the uninstall of VMWare, though.
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