“Overall, Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac is the top virtualizer for Mac OS X. VMware Fusion 3 is a close second, with Sun’s VirtualBox 3.1 running a distant third. VirtualBox has a few unique features and is free, but doesn’t support many Mac OS X features. Parallels Desktop 5 and VMware Fusion 3 also automate the installation of guest operating systems and support multiple monitors,” Rizzo reports. “Furthermore, these new versions add support for Windows 7 Aero features, such as Aero Peek and Aero Glass. VirtualBox doesn’t do any of these.”
Rizzo reports, “Parallels Desktop 5 provides the best overall performance. Not that VMware Fusion 3 is slow, but it can stumble with graphics-heavy tasks and uses more of the Mac’s processor, leaving less CPU bandwidth for Mac applications… Parallels is also more Mac-like in enabling you to launch Windows applications from Mac OS X, even when Parallels isn’t running. It puts a Windows application folder in the Dock, just as Snow Leopard has a folder for Mac apps. Add a second Windows virtual machine, and a second folder is tacked on. Fusion appends a Start menu to the right side of the Mac’s top-screen menu bar. It works, but I prefer the more standard Dock approach.”
There’s much more in the full review here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Edward W.” for the heads up.]
I’m quite satisfied with Parallels 5. It’s fast, even when running Windows 7. It uses my Bootcamp partition so no need to have a Parallels VM and Bootcamp, I can switch back and forth.
With 8gb of ram and a 750gb hd on the old MacBook Pro I can switch between Mac and Windows whenever I have to perform some distasteful Windows only task.
avoid virtualbox… sure its free, but my time is not
I have not experienced any problems whatsoever in running VirtualBox – it gets my recommendation!
If I had to run Windows applications I wish I had something that did away with the Windows OS and ran the apps straight on.
Windows is junk and I don’t see how people put up up with it, let alone sing its praises.
If you’re stuck having to run WinDOS, VirtualBox is great.
PLUS, you can install everything on an external drive!
(scratches head and wonders why there was no mention of Bootcamp)
Sun’s option is very complicated to share files between the host and the vm.. but it is free
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I prefer VirtualBox, once it’s setup it’s a breeze…
Oh, and the cost isn’t too bad either!
I hate the fact that I have to run Windows because of “Active-x, Sharpoint, .net and aspx POS”!!! That monopoly is forcing me to use Windows for web browser based workflow. Thats how MS can keep their monopoly thrive and grow. Lock in those web based apps and content. Anyway, Parallels works great when FORCED to use Windows POS!
Bootcamp is an either or solution. Most of my clients don’t want to restart to run a Windows application for a few minutes to an hour.
Bootcamp is fine for an extended use of Windows in a work session.
Ah… what you are looking for is Crossover.
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/
This was a comparison of virtual machines for running Windows in a window, not dual-booting options like Boot Camp. Please don’t make me explain what any of that means also.
Great article, thanks for posting. Very handy.
@Troy
It only takes a minute to setup shared folders in VBox. I had Parallels, but I don’t like being forced to upgrade to go to Snow Leopard.
I want my iPad.
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While Crossover is intriguing, for whatever reason (and I’m no Windows expert, so don’t ask why), it doesn’t run the web based content through IE that’s currently requiring me to run Windows.
I access 3 IE only websites in order to perform my job, and they do not work under IE/Crossover.
Virtualbox? I don’t know about the Mac version, but the Windows version does not work for me. I can’t get it to run Ubuntu 9.10 in a virtual machine successfully.
Virtualbox may be free, but it always seems to have problems that prevent it from working well. For the moment I would stay with VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion.
I find this subject simply fascinating!
Stop-gap measures to maintain appearances and productivity using silly solutions as a substitute for the Real Thing™ for closet Mac users who know their very lives depends on Windows!
I ♥ Windows!
Discover Windows all over again, and again, and again.
MDN please expand your AstroTurf ban to include pathetically unfunny wannabe comedians. I’m getting really sick of having to apply an irony filter everytime some douche wants to rehash the same lame joke.
I have both but I am now running VMware only. Not as a choice though. Parallels works fine on first install of W7 but then stops working on second launch of W7 after a restart. Tried re-installing the OS 3 times. Customer support has been pretty much non-existent as well. Bummer.
Let’s all hope that Oracle keeps Virtualbox. It seems that they are since they quickly rebranded the product after the merger was completed last week. Competition is good. Even if Parallels and Fusion are better Mac OS X apps, neither are free.
Parallels Desktop 5 runs XP just fine. When Windows 7 is installed can no longer connect to the internet. Bummer. Otherwise seems to run Windows 7 just fine. Big problem is that support from Parallels is just about the worst experience you will ever have. Makes going to the dentist seem like a walk in the park. It is non-existent. Awlful. I have no idea how I am going to solve this problem, which renders Windows 7 pretty much unusable.
I have all three. VirtualBox is plenty fast enough for me (I don’t’ use graphics intensive Windoze applications), but I’ve found that it struggles to recognise some USB sticks. Fusion is better in that respect. I haven’t tried Parallels yet (it was purchased as part of a bundle).
My recommendation: If you need to run a Windoze specific application, try VirtualBox first.
@ Stuart G.
“I have no idea how I am going to solve this problem, which renders Windows 7 pretty much unusable.”
The unsability is not a bug, it’s a feature.
The engineers craftily included this safety net to protect you from Windows.
I think this is a lame review. Having used all 3, I would say:
1. Windows is worth close to $0, so why pay money to use it virtually? Winner = VirtualBox because it is free
2. Interweaving a seamless Windows experience with the Mac is a terrible idea and kills Mac application performance. Winner = VirtualBox because it has a less seamless Windows/Mac setup
3. Closed source software, like Windows, sucks. Winner = VirtualBox because it is open source
Don’t let the performance numbers fool you. Enhanced performance for a Windows app kills Mac performance. And by the way, the differences in speed may be noticeable on a graph but not that much in real life
Bottom line: Use Windows on a Mac sparingly and only as a last resort. Use open source VirtualBox for free.
@ everyone
we have had multiple Macs running VirtualBox for several months and it has been great
it is not a big deal to setup
if you can’t figure it out, then you shouldn’t be using Windows on a Mac.