VMware Fusion Beta 4 now available

To #24, Kai Cherry,

Just to be clear, you are aware that, by default, Parallels Desktop gives priority to the VM over the host OS (OS X), correct? If not, please note this is the case, though it is easily rectified.

Go to a VM's configuration (Edit | Virtual Machine... if you're the menu type), then with the resource 'Options' selected in the left column, click the 'Advanced' tab in the right pane, and under Virtual Machine Performance change the radio button to (*) Mac OS X.

I can't speak to the VMware beta as I haven't used it yet, but wanted to make sure we're at least on a level playing field here. There is quite a bit of hyperbole being thrown around.


To #21, Thayne Miller,

Not exactly sure why you had such difficulty installing Parallels, as it was quite a smooth experience for me and took just a few minutes (I don't count the time it takes to download an installer; that varies depending on each person's connectivity). But it could also just be that each person comes to this with different experiences and allows that to affect their perception of usability.

For example, if you have already used VMware's products on Windows and/or Linux (not saying you have, just giving a hypothetical here), it may simply be the experience with those products which makes it appear that "Vmware is VASTLY superior to parallels." I've installed the VMware player on Windows XP, and found the install abt the same as most other apps; that is, relatively painless. But that's abt it. So I am no expert on VMware.

But I find it hard to believe the install of VMware on Mac is either amazingly easier or any more difficult than on Windows. But I would rate the install of Parallels on Mac and VMware on Windows, based on that rather skewed experience, about the same.

Now as for performance, once each app is properly configured for your environment, again lots of variables there. I haven't seen anyone posting their configs much (CPU, RAM, HD space/RPM rate, etc.), so tough to gauge things.

I currently have Parallels Desktop running on a 1st gen MacBook Pro w/ 2.0GHz Core Duo, 1GB RAM, 100GB 7200RPM HD. Ran it for the past year off/on and just yesterday put 3.0 on. So far it runs just fine, though can't claim it's much slower nor way faster, and haven't tried the 3D support yet.

Yes, the updating of the Parallels Tools in WinXP was different than in the past; namely, Parallels automatically detected my VMs had old versions of the Parallels Tools installed and offered to upgrade to the latest version. But it works just fine.

I typically prefer uninstalling the old version of Parallel Tools and then installing the new version clean, but I do not recommend that this time unless you do the uninstall BEFORE upgrading to Parallels 3.0. It seems the Parallel Tools from Parallels 2.0 aren't thrilled abt uninstalling AFTER you've upgraded. I suspect, though it's just a hunch, that it has to do with the change in the VMs, as Parallels 3.0 requires upgrading your VM images to some new format.

Anyway, can't speak for anyone else, but thus far I have no complaints regarding Parallels 3.0. When time permits, will give VMware a try just because I'm curious that way. But I suspect both apps are just fine and the issue is more of a taste/specific feature needs thing than "this is GREAT! That SUCKS!" sorta thing.

A very solid product. A sure buy for me.

Being able to use the same images at work on top of its great stability and performance make this the outperformer for me.

This software is what I dreamed about as soon as I read Apple goes Intel. And now it runs on my MBP :-)

I had started with Parallels, but now I switched. I thank them for giving me the first available vm solution, though.

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=88195&tstart=0

This post describes the process for Converting Parallels VMs (or even physical installs) to VMWare/Fusion VMs, for the person that asked.

And I'm not a shill :)

I just don't think I should have to sacrifice OSX performance to virtualize XP, that's all :)

Funny though. The Unity feature only seems to work with XP vms. I tried it with my WIN2K vm and it isn't even enabled. At least Parallels Coherence works with all flavors of Windows... Also it may be the debug stuff but VMWare seems very ssssllllloooowww.

I wonder if VMware has a lot of shills going about websites and forums...

I downloaded and installed beta 4 last night, and frankly I wasn't impressed at all.
Unity - not really that much better than Coherence. I have my taskbar to autohide to the left of the screen, and under Unity my Start menu was flickering. Pretty darn annoying. I will give props to getting Unity to work nicely under Expose, however.

The biggest deal was that 3D did not work for me. Lo and behold, looking at the release notes, 3D *DOES NOT WORK* with the Intel GMA950. So no 3D for anyone with a MacBook. I haven't tried Parallels 3 yet, so I don't know if it'll work with my MacBook or not. But anyone doing virtualization and 3D acceleration had better get it working under GMA950s - that's a very large number of Mac laptops out there...

Regarding Parallels, I've been using it for months with no problems whatsoever.

Vmware is VASTLY superior to parallels. I just tried both parallels 3.0 and vmware fusion 4.0 and it took me almost an hour just to get parallels set up right. Finally once I got rid of all the old tools and got the new ones installed, it crashed. No error message. I boot up again, crash again. Finally I got it to boot up and I try to open quake 3--a game they list as SUPPORTED--and it crashed again. Parallels -> deleted. As for vmware fusion, I can't be more happy. Works perfectly, ZERO setup for boot camp partitions, and the new unity is just sweet.

As soon as vmware is released, I'll be buying it. Parallels, you shouldn't try to add new features to your product until you get old bugs worked out. Parallels 3.0 is far and away the most unstable piece of software I have ever used.

Kai (#17): Could you give a link to the page on the vmware page with the tutorial for migrating Parallels images into Fusion? I can't find it.

I've tried the most recent versions of both on my parents' new Mac mini, and *neither* is able to do a thing with Boot Camp. I wonder if I'm missing something? Neither even gives a decent error message in response, sadly. From my limited experience, I'd say neither VMware nor Parallels are even remotely ready for prime time.

Yeah.... vmware is getting my business.

Last Christmas, I ordered Parallels under a promotion for 79.99 and free upgrades for a year.

Guess what? My key doesn't work, and they are making me pay.

VMware might make you pay for major upgrades, but at least they don't lie about it like Parallels.

I'm glad this beta came out; it is far and away a better product for the simple reason that it doesn't thrash constantly. It seems to have a *much better* virtualization core that Parallels. I can actually use both windows and mac os x at thee same time with vmware; with parallels, the mac os x responsiveness goes straight to the toilet.

There is even a tutorial on the vmware site about how to convert your parallels vm to a vmware one.

If you are a payed parallels customer like I am, I *strongly suggest* you check out the latest vmware before you fork over another "fiddy" for the v3 upgrade.

Vmware actually cause me to "cut my losses" with parallels...it just plays so much better with mac os x.