Running VMWare instead of Parallels...

[Super Dave Osbourne]

I work with virtual machine software all the time for work and play. I have used and run Parallels, VMWare Fusion (1, 2 and 3) and also VirtualBox from Sun (free). These systems allow you to emulate a x86 PC hardware system in software, and do it with advantages and disadvantages over others. The most stable and well supported system hands down right now (and has been for the past 2+ years) is VMWare Fusion 3.x for Mac OS X. The second best is Virtual Box by Sun Microsystems, and its free. The worst, and I do mean it in stability and quality of customer service is Parallels. I hope folks stop recommending Parallels, and move on to a much higher quality of product, Fusion for OS X. I don't work for any of the forementioned companies, I just do a lot of emulation with quality tools.

[Steelhead]

I work with virtual machine software all the time for work and play. I have used and run Parallels, VMWare Fusion (1, 2 and 3) and also VirtualBox from Sun (free). These systems allow you to emulate a x86 PC hardware system in software, and do it with advantages and disadvantages over others. The most stable and well supported system hands down right now (and has been for the past 2+ years) is VMWare Fusion 3.x for Mac OS X. The second best is Virtual Box by Sun Microsystems, and its free. The worst, and I do mean it in stability and quality of customer service is Parallels. I hope folks stop recommending Parallels, and move on to a much higher quality of product, Fusion for OS X. I don't work for any of the forementioned companies, I just do a lot of emulation with quality tools.

I just switched back from VMWARE Fusion 3.0 to Parallels 5.0. I don't think hyping any particular virtual software makes sense, but presently I think Parallels 5.0 is superior to VMWare 3.0 -- maybe when VMWare comes out with 4.0, I may switch back, but until then I am much happier running Snow Leopard with Parallels 5.0. I say use whichever program that works best for you.