Ask questions via twitter! Message any question to @answers on twitter. We'll publish the question and send you a reply each time there's a new answer.
Next Question

Answered Question

williamwa... williamwa...
 
M$1 June 06, 2009 01:51 AM

VMware vs Parallels ?

I am a new MAC user ( one year )
I am using VMware to run my Windows software. I am evaluating the trial version of Parallels. I like the user interface much better and it is noticeably faster but I absolutely cannot get it to print.

VMware automatically connects the Windows machine to the MAC default printer. No configuration necessary.

Parallels indicates that it does the same thing but I cannot get it to print.

Any ideas about which is better, faster, best usser interface, etc.
Interesting Question?  Yes (0)   No (0)   
RSS
 
 

Best Answer  Decided by Votes

bdegrande bdegrande
 
 June 06, 2009 02:07 AM
They leapfrog each other in terms of speed, features, etc with every new release. They are both very good, and so is the free VirtualBox

http://www.virtualbox.org

I have always preferred VMWare Fusion because I install a lot of OSs, and the ability to download precanned "appliances" speeds up installation. VMWare virtual appliances can also be moved between platforms, it is not Mac only.

There are deals on both Parallels and Fusion at the moment. Parallels is part of the MacUpdate bundle - $49 with a lot of other good software.

http://www.mupromo.com

Fusion can be had from MacMall for $19.99 after a $10 rebate - version 1.1 with a free upgrade to version 2.

http://www.macmall.com/ttsvr/p/Software/product~dpno~7721087~pdp.fcddjfd


Helpful Answer?  (4)   (0)   

Helpful: williamwaco, excellence24, rickg, soragon

Tip bdegrande for this answer
Permalink | Report
Voted as best: williamwaco, lauriem
   Reply  
 
 

Other Answers (4)

Sort By
juliusfink... juliusfink...
 
June 06, 2009 03:41 PM
I've used both VMWare Fusion and Parallels over the years and I'd agree with bdegrande about them leapfrogging each other in terms of features.

I switched to VMWare on my first dual-core laptop because parallels didn't support multicore vm's. Now, it looks like the latest Parallels version has better multicore support than VMWare Fusion. I also encountered a bug in VMWare Fusion with java applications in multicore vm's, which was fixed in a later release.

So, the technology evolves very rapidly and it's a moving target. If VMWare Fusion does everything you're looking for just stick with it. I wouldn't chase every little last bit of performance from release to release between the two.

Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: williamwaco

Tip juliusfinkbine for this answer
Permalink | Report
Voted as best: bbrookin
   Reply  
 
 
cp24 cp24
 
June 08, 2009 06:49 AM
Check out this comparison test between Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion.
http://www.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.25/25.04/VMBenchmarks/index.html
The Parallels Desktop in general is faster. Please note, they both are competing neck to neck. It means, that at the next release, the slower product might up the game.

It also depends on what type of operating system is being virtualised.

The test was performed on the "White" MacBook (Late 2008), MacBook Pro (Unibody), iMac, and Mac Pro. The products used are VMware Fusion 2.0.1 and Parallels Desktop for Mac 4.0 (build 3540), running Mac OS X 10.5.5.

The test concluded:
-- quote --
In the majority of overall averages of our tests, Parallels Desktop is the clear winner running 14-20% faster than VMware Fusion. The one exception is for those that need to run Windows XP, 32-bit on 2 virtual processors, VMware Fusion runs about 10% faster than Parallels Desktop.
-- end quote--


Helpful Answer?  (1)   (0)   

Helpful: williamwaco

Tip cp24 for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
cacarr cacarr
 
June 10, 2009 05:34 AM
Are Parallels tools installed in the Windows VM?

This may address your issue:

http://kb.parallels.com/en/5036

I would also strongly recommend trying Sun's VirtualBox:

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip cacarr for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
amazingdea... amazingdea...
 
October 05, 2009 07:25 PM
Save Up to 79% on VMware Fusion 2 from #Amazon: List Price: $79.99Deal Price: $26.9 http://url4.eu/aeLs

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip amazingdeal for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 

Answer this Question

How tips and payments work

This question has already been resolved. You may add an answer to it but you will not be eligible to win best answer or any associated tips.

Related Questions

View All Mac Questions

Ask a Question


140 characters left
Top of Page
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal

Top Members

This Week All Time
  • cfinke
    cfinke
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    26761 Points
    M$29.75 Earned
  • bunnyphuph...
    bunnyphuph...
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    20771 Points
    M$756.54 Earned
  • thisjustme
    thisjustme
    Green Belt
    1145 Points
    M$76.05 Earned
   See All
 

Most Popular Tags

mahalo(1765)
twitter(971)
music(493)
iphone(482)
google(384)
online(347)
food(337)
internet(309)
beer(284)
money(281)
movies(277)
facebook(260)
apple(257)
answers(241)
aotd(235)
health(228)
free(226)
video(222)
dog(211)
windows(205)
   See All
 

Categories

Welcome New Members


 
 
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.

Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.

Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More

 
 

Please log in to use this function.

Answers Home | Ask a Question | Earn Points | How Tips Work | Widget