VMware Fusion 3.1 vs Parallels 5

I will get my new MBpro in about a week and I'm torn between Parallels 5 and Fusion 3.1 for running Windows 7 64bit in a VM apart from installing it via Bootcamp. I'm not interested in gaming, though. I have yet to buy another PS CS5 licence for the Macbook since my CS 4 win version isn’t transferable anymore. However, I want to stick with my present win CS 5 licence for the use on my Desktop PC for now. So I’m thinking of running PS together with other Windows based programs on the MBpro in a virtual machine, at least for a limited period. I know that this isn’t a long – term solution by preference, but anyway I need a virtualization program for other win-only applications.

I did a search - also in the "Windows" thread here - but couldn't find any reports how the recent version 3.1 of Fusion compares to Parallels 5. From what I read in older threads and tests I found, VmFusion has been said to be more stable in the past while Parallels has had the reputation of being faster, having better graphics support and being less resource – consuming. There are also reports of repeated win 7 reactivation issues of users who set up a VM using the existing Boot Camp partition in Parallels. As said, I’m not interested in 3D-performance for games but in general stability, speed and resource- consumption when running PS or other win 7 (64) -based applications.

Thank you in advance for your comments

Wolfgang

 

I'd go with Parallels. It really is a snap to use and I haven't had issues using it.

What I actually did was install my Boot Camp Windows 7 64bit first and then used that partition during my virtual machine installation. So it used the Boot Camp partition which makes it easy for me.

No problems as of yet. I would also enable spaces so you can put the Windows VM on space #2 to give it full screen real estate.

 

parallels here. vmware tested>>>slow

 

I prefer Parallels 5 over VMWare, too. It's much quicker and easier - I love being able to just open programs.

 

Another point to consider, however, is that editing within a virtual machine is going to be much slower than under native Windows. You might be better off just running it under BootCamp, depending on your tolerance for speed and performance.

In my experience, most people running Adobe's pro version software like CS fall into the speed sensitive type.

 

I have had better performance with Parallels then Vmware.

 

I prefer Vmware Fusion.

 

I've had better performance with VMware, but then again I never shutdown the virtual windows. It runs all the time in one of my Spaces. Battery killer, but no issues with speed.

 

Wouldn't a Windows license need to be purchased regardless of whether it was used for Boot Camp or a virtual machine?

 

Correct. My error.

 

I prefer VMware Fusion. It's better tested and if you need it, better support.

 

Comparison_of_VMware_Fusion_and_Parallels_Desktop

From personal experience, I prefer Parallels, because I felt that VMWare was slower in terms of performance - a couple of tech sites have run benchmarks on both, and I believe Parallels comes out on top for most 64 bit configs.
I've done the same things on the mac for both Parallels and VMWare, and I just feel that Parallels is faster...maybe it's just perception.

Both of them are fine, and I think the prices are around the same, as well.

 

i can't go back to Parallels because version 3 and 4 were big piles of junk and VMware was so much better it wasn't funny. Parallels 5 has great reviews and is supposed to be really good, but i cannot bring myself to even try it because VMware 3.1 runs so great.

 

I just installed Parallels 5 on my MBP. I'm very impressed with it. I was fully expecting the MBP to run hot and kill my battery with a guest OS just idling. It's totally not the case. I will not bother with Boot Camp again as I absolutely hate the touchpad in Boot Camp. Fusion may or may not work better I don't know, but so far the Parallels trial is not giving me a reason to try Fusion.

I'm slowly getting used to this OS X/Parallels setup for my home laptop. I might do away with the dedicated PC laptop at home soon..

 

try the free virtualbox...seems decent, just installed 64bit win7 ultimate. it suites my needs because i don't do extensive stuff on it