“One of the great things about using a Mac is its versatility in running all manner of software. As well as the best user OS in the business in OS X, a Mac can also run UNIX, Windows and Linux programs, the latter two quite effectively through virtualising an entire OS in a virtual machine,” Andrew Harrison writes for Macworld UK.
“Three programs exist to do the job – Oracle’s Virtual Box, VMware’s Fusion and Parallels Desktop for Mac,” Harrison writes. “The first option is powerful, and free to use, but not always the easiest to work with since it’s designed for experienced users prepared to learn its hidden foibles. By paying for one of the two commercial applications you may find it simpler to get up and running.”
“Besides offering official support of Windows 8 and 8.1, Parallels goes further by making Microsoft’s unloved operating system marginally more usable,” Harrison writes. “Even before the sticking plaster of v8.1, Parallels had included an option to let Windows boot directly into the regular desktop, rather than the original default of huge Metro tiles. And with the help of Stardock’s Start8 utility included with Parallels 9, the much-missed Windows Start menu returns too. If you do find Metro apps useful, you can also use them windowed within the classic desktop, to save you having to move to and fro inside the schizophrenic operating system”
Much more in the full review here.
Related articles:
Parallels releases Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac with up to 40% performance improvement – August 29, 2013
New Parallels Access for iPad ‘applifies’ Mac apps and Windows programs, making them iPad-friendly – August 28, 2013