Fusion or Parallels?

chex

chex

chex

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8 Dec 2005
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My beta for Fusion runs out in 4 days, and it's time to buy one of the two, but I have no idea which is better than the other at what, and I can't find any real comparisons between the final versions of the software.


Some advice would be much appreciated.
 
I've been using Parallels since it was in Beta, and purchased it when it was released. I'm currently running a trial version of the latest version with 3D support and improved file sharing. I've not decided if the extra outlay provides enough improved features to be worth it. I don't game in Parallels as Boot Camp is much better.

I've had a quick play with VMWare which has some nice features - the Application integration into OS X beats Parallels, and the availability of pre-created appliances is a bonus too.

There's mumblings on some of the other Mac forums about shoddy support from Parallels and features that were released before they were properly tested. Parallels managed to fill a niche very quickly when the MacIntel machines were launched with a good solid product but they are still quite a small software company. VMWare are huge and have a lot of experience in virtualisation on a number of platforms, with from desktop PCs to corporate server farms.

They both work well with Windows 2000/XP. For other OS support VMWare wins due to experience. Much as it pains me to say it, I suspect the corporate might of VMWare will win out.
 
Fusion can use the bootcamp volume to run as a VM, which for me is really useful. I have a Macbook with bootcamp (vista installed).
I do much of my work in Vista, but sometimes have to run OSX instead.
If I need to access something from Windows (like calendar, or run a windows app) I can just boot my bootcamp install from fusion. really neat trick if you ask me, and something that parallels can't do.

Plus, I like VMware products having used Workstation and ESX server.
 
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