Considering a Mac but need Windows?

[Kaido]

I've been using Parallels for Mac since the beta days (an app that lets you run operating systems virtually within an Intel Mac) and have been pretty happy with it overall. The latest build (3188, from March 7, 2007) has really increased my love for it. I am a big fan of Macs, Intel-based models in particular, but I haven't been able to leave Windows just yet. Boot Camp is nice, but I hate rebooting to get into Windows and besides, it's still in beta. Parallels has been a step up but hasn't completely fulfilled my needs until recently.

There are certain Windows programs that I like using. I've been able to find replacements for every app I use, but that doesn't mean I like all of the replacements. For example, I prefer DVD ripping (my own discs, of course) on a PC. The latest version of Parallels runs Shrink, Decrypter, and RipIt4Me flawlessly. Also Parallels used to lag a tiny bit, enough to make it annoying for graphics apps. No longer - Photoshop CS is as nice under Parallels as it is on a dedicated machine! There are other features that have been improved as well, such as dragging and dropping files and folders between the Mac and Windows (no size limits either!). See my post over at Mac Forums for a slightly longer review:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63278

Bottom line, if you don't need Gaming or heavy 3D Graphics capabilities then Parallels should work wonderfully for you. I haven't been able to give up my PC because of a few hangups I had with Parallels, but these are gone now. Please feel free to ask any questions!

 

[DnetMHZ]

I agree parallels works very well. I am currently running Windows XP which i use to do some work stuff via VPN. I also have VMs running Ubuntu 7.04 and OpenBSD 4.1.
In full screen mode on my Macbook I really can't tell performance wise that windows isn't running natively, and I'm not a gamer so the 3D graphics aspect doesn't really bother me.

You should also mention in your review that Parallels Desktop includes Kapersky Internet Security suite as well which is a nice feature for your windows VMs.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: DnetMHZ
I agree parallels works very well. I am currently running Windows XP which i use to do some work stuff via VPN. I also have VMs running Ubuntu 7.04 and OpenBSD 4.1.
In full screen mode on my Macbook I really can't tell performance wise that windows isn't running natively, and I'm not a gamer so the 3D graphics aspect doesn't really bother me.

You should also mention in your review that Parallels Desktop includes Kapersky Internet Security suite as well which is a nice feature for your windows installs.

Yeah I noticed Kapersky on there, so it's the full version? VMWare is also worth a note, as they are supporting DirectX 8.1 out the door.

 

[DnetMHZ]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: DnetMHZ
I agree parallels works very well. I am currently running Windows XP which i use to do some work stuff via VPN. I also have VMs running Ubuntu 7.04 and OpenBSD 4.1.
In full screen mode on my Macbook I really can't tell performance wise that windows isn't running natively, and I'm not a gamer so the 3D graphics aspect doesn't really bother me.

You should also mention in your review that Parallels Desktop includes Kapersky Internet Security suite as well which is a nice feature for your windows installs.

Yeah I noticed Kapersky on there, so it's the full version? VMWare is also worth a note, as they are supporting DirectX 8.1 out the door.

I believe, but I could be wrong that it is a 6 month key for Kapersky.

 

[halfadder]

I have been using my MacBookPro for well over 14 months now. Parallels works great and I rarely dual-boot into XP (only to play games about once a month). I find myself using Windows (via parallels) less and less all the time as I find more Mac programs to replace my Windows programs. But still, Parallels is great, especially with the "coherence" mode. I also like how Parallels will instantly resize my Windows desktop if I'm running Windows in the "OS in a Window" mode and decide to resize the window. I highly recommended Intel Macs, Mac OS X on intel, and Parallels. There's nothing wrong with dual boot via Bootcamp, but if you don't need games and have at least 1 gig ram, Parallels will probably be a lot better for you

 

[Smilin]

If I were to get a Mac, I'd get this one:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js...3442.2255964.2440527&parentPage=family

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Smilin
If I were to get a Mac, I'd get this one:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js...3442.2255964.2440527&parentPage=family

That's no Mac. It's not expensive enough! :|

 

[halfadder]

ignorance is bliss

 

[Noema]

Originally posted by: Smilin
If I were to get a Mac, I'd get this one:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js...3442.2255964.2440527&parentPage=family

:laugh:

Needs moar shiny.

 

[lxskllr]

I like the Mac OS10

 

[oldsystem]

How much room does everything take on your HDD?

 

[Cogman]

How about darwine for those windows Apps you can't do without?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: oldsystem
How much room does everything take on your HDD?

iirc, OS X takes up roughly 5 gigs if you install everything (they include a number of full packages of software in the full install). Parallels gives you two options:

1. Set hard drive size
2. Growing hard drive size

If it's set, then Parallels makes a file that number of gigabytes. So if you want a 40gb virtual hard drive, it makes a blank 40gb file and then loads it every time you boot that virtual machine up. The second option, growing, lets you simply "grow" a hard drive to whatever size you initially specify. So if you decide you want a 40gb hard drive, but you're using a MacBook with a 60gb hard drive, the file created will only take up as much space as what is actually in there. So if XP is 2 gigs and yours apps are 3 gigs, your 40gb virtual drive will only be a 5gb file. It says there is a performance hit, but I use a 7200rpm hard drive and haven't noticed anything. It boots faster than my PC desktop if that tells you anything.