Parallels 5

[michl]

"In a comprehensive set of benchmark tests, virtualization competitors Parallels Desktop 5.0 and VMware Fusion 3.0 were examined head-to-head, finding Parallels to be an average of 30% faster than VMware."

Summary article @ AppleInsider. 8-page detailed original @ MachTech.

[hakka]

Michl, according to this review you posted, VMWare Fusion3 is FASTER in application performance, parallels faster in graphics performance. So i think virtualization crown still belongs to VMWare despite some graphic weakness. Look this entire virtualization thing is all about APPLICATION virtualization. Its crazy to expect than virtualized games will work same as real app. For games i using ANOTHER PC or PS3 - and nothing can beat raw hardware power. But when it comes to work i prefer to use VMWare for ThinApp, VMotion and other very handy tools that just not exists in Parallels offer.

[fangpyre]

I agree with Hakka.
The only good option to run games on the Mac is Boot Camp.

And for a better experience, a gaming rig or PS3 or XBOX.

[michl]

I agree with Hakka. The only good option to run games on the Mac is Boot Camp.

Never said I disagree. I merely posted a link to the article... (so don't shoot the messenger! ;-)

And for a better experience, a gaming rig or PS3 or XBOX.

That's the thing. I believe the same: if someone if so much into games, then better go all the way and use a dedicated game station, and not a general purpose computer...

[fangpyre]

No messenger shooting here.
But its important that people understand the extent of a program's capabilities.

[sureshvarma]

I should add that with both Parallels and Fusion you can run Windows from a Bootcamp partition thereby giving you the best of both worlds, so to speak.

I have noticed a strange thing about running Bootcamp on Fusion 3. Although, it runs the Bootcamp partition smoothly, It keeps asking for re-registration due to hardware change. The native Bootcamp already has Windows 7 Ultimate, licensed copy. I am afraid re-registration may start a chain reaction with the Bootcamp license. Any suggestions/solutions?

[michl]

I have noticed a strange thing about running Bootcamp on Fusion 3. Although, it runs the Bootcamp partition smoothly, It keeps asking for re-registration due to hardware change. The native Bootcamp already has Windows 7 Ultimate, licensed copy. I am afraid re-registration may start a chain reaction with the Bootcamp license. Any suggestions/solutions?

I don't have a solution but, just to mention that this used to be a very common issue with previous versions of Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion and Bootcamp using Windows XP, etc. Over time these have been fixed - then now Windows 7 is out... Will take time but they'll fix that too.

Just now MacWindows is reporting similar problems (and a workaround) with AutoCAD for instance. (That's a good site to checkout for this kind or problems...)