Parallels Desktop 3.0 (build 5584) VS VMware Fusion 1.1.1

Written by David Kudrev
Tuesday, 1 April 2008


So over 6 months has passed since my last article regarding this topic. What can I say? A lot has changed, with technology, Mac OS 10.5’s imminent release, Windows Vista finally in Service Pack 1, and even between the two programs: Parallels Desktop 3.0 and VMware Fusion 1.1.1.

Previously stated in the first article I wrote six months ago, I work as a desktop support officer at a university, where we equally work with Macs & PC’s. Our workstations are now 15” MacBook Pro’s with 2.2GHz and 4GB ram to boot. Currently we do use Parallels (build 5584), I for one am probably the 2nd most active user of the application. Ever since putting Vista SP1 on, of course the OS is quite bloated (even after pumping 1-2GB ram into the VM), I thought I’d give another VM solution a try, for curiosity’s sake.

Enter VMware Fusion! That’s right, I gave it a try again since my last confrontation with it (considering that it was a beta, and yes it was quite an unfair comparison to compare a beta to a final product). This time it’s no excuse! So on with the comparisons once again..



Parallels Desktop (Parallels Desktop for Mac ) is at version 3.0 (build 5584) with numerous features/enhancements including;
- 3D Acceleration support (DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL)
- Improved USB 2.0 support
- Improved Coherence (a technique which “embeds” the guest OS into the host OS so that it isn’t restricted to full screen, or a window. Also makes file transfer to/from guest/host OSes easier.
- Snapshot, a method which lets you go back to a previous session in case of any mistake with the build, or a virus attack.
- Smart Select, a technique that lets you open apps no matter whether it’s a host or guest in the operating system, i.e. there’s a jpeg in the XP session you want to open in say Photoshop CS3 on the mac, simply right click on the jpeg, select Open With, and it will give you list of applications (Mac and PC).


VMware Fusion (VMware Fusion Overview, Run Windows on Mac, Virtual PC on Mac - VMware) is a new product from the company VMware. Any person who works in I.T. would know that VMware has been around for years, and know their stuff when it comes to virtualisation solutions. Fusion’s features which stand out, include:

- A name that is recognised in the industry for many years
- Extensive support for Linux distributions
- Multi Processor/core support
- 64-bit processor support (as long as the host machine is 64-bit)
- Unity, which is VMware’s own Coherence, which this time “embeds” itself more into the OS and keeps all folders/applications separate within Expose.
- Compatible with other VMware solutions (for Windows and Linux) so basically, you can use your XP session on Windows or Linux.

Slight change of hardware this time round (mishap with my old MacBook Pro, now replaced). Both machines are using Mac OS 10.5.2

Core 2 Duo iMac 2.16GHz with
- 3GB RAM
- 256MB GeForce 7600GT video card

And a Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro 2.4GHz with
- 3GB RAM
- 256MB GeForce 8800M GT video card

With the following guest OSes tested:

- Windows Vista Enterprise Edition SP1
- Windows XP Professional SP2
- Ubuntu Linux 7.04

I think this time I’ll state the advantages of using VMware Fusion 1.1.1 over Parallels first;

- Unity has improved heaps since
• You now can access your start menu from the dock icon
• The movement of the folders/windows and expose is much smoother

- Extremely stable program
• Booting up, or restoring from suspend mode is much more responsive.
• Transitions between Full Screen/Unity/Single Mode is smooth and very fast
• Has not crashed on me AT ALL since using it (since 1.1.1’s release, and same with when using 1.1

- Support for Linux is still extensive
- Vista SP1's performance is better (Tools?), I did make clean installs for both VM's too..
- Easier to distribute the images or converting (one file as opposed to one folder with a few files)
- Said image files can be re-used with other VMware products/network solutions.


And the negatives regarding Fusion;

- Support for OpenGL is lacking
- Unable to keep the mouse within the one screen when in a game
o Picture that you dual screen, and you have a game on one full screen, and you start playing a game on it.. the mouse goes off the side and into OSX.



The positives for Parallels 3.0 (build 5584);

- Coherence still works well
• Blends in nicely with the dock, and the OS
• File transfer between the OSes isn’t perfect, but it is very usable.
• Works with Vista.

- Improved support for DirectX 8 and 9, AND OpenGL
- Smart Select, as much as I still don’t use it, it is still a good feature.
- Improved Linux support this time round (Including Ubuntu!)
- Ability to access your C:\ from the desktop as an icon (next to your Macintosh HD)


And the negatives of Parallels;

- Known, but minor issue (which at least Parallels are aware of) where if you allocate a Parallels session into one of the Spaces, and you move to another Space, Parallels will keep flicking back to the VM Space when booting up the VM.

- The application feels more sluggish, when opening/closing it
• Sadly it has crashed on my a few times as well (both on the work’s machines and at home
• Longer to boot up/shutdown/suspend/resume the workstation as well.

So in summary, this is the hard part for me. I admit, both apps have come a long way, although both aren’t extremely perfect, I found Fusion for what I do at work and at home to be the better solution. Sure I can’t play games on it but thankfully there are other alternatives to doing that (Bootcamp, or even Crossover Games 7.0).

Would I be interested in donating my Parallels license to somebody? I’d consider it more than I did wanting to part with Fusion. On the other hand, it has been a bit of a while since there’s been a new version released from either company. I’d have to say that another assessment in about 6 or so months time from the date of this article would be a wise idea. You want stability, as well as performance with a guest OS? Grab Fusion. Or do you want better integration with OSX and a smidge of gaming on the side? Then grab Parallels. In fact go out and grab the trials for both Fusion and Parallels and make your judgement. Me? I’ll stick with Fusion thanks!

VMware Fusion VMware Fusion Overview, Run Windows on Mac, Virtual PC on Mac - VMware
Cost (direct from the website): AU$98 (download purchase)

Parallels Desktop Parallels Desktop for Mac
Cost (direct from the website): AU$105 (download purchase)

I am a new Mac user, its been around 4 weeks now since it was delivered and as a long time VMWare user in the Windows world Fusion was the first thing I installed. I did briefly look at Parallels but as I know and am familiar with VMWare products I went that route so it was good to read your comparisons.

I run a Vista VM and a Fedora Core 7 install. I am a huge fan of Unity which is an excellent feature.

The only negative I have for Fusion is the lack of easy network configuration. On my Windows laptop running VMWare Workstation I can easily setup a Linux webserver and then port forward any requests in to the laptop on to the virtual linux webserver. That is the only negative for me and its only a small negative. Some frantic Googling has revealed that there are files that can be tweaked to do something similar in Fusion but as yet I have not tried.

By the way, my eval Fusion just expired today. The licence from VMWare was just under A$100. But, I managed to get a licence from Smith Micro in the US - Digital River... for US$47.99 - I Googled for a promo code and found one which reduced the Smith Micro price down from about US$59 so a bit of a bargain.

Dave

One thing I noticed is that VMWare fusion doesn't tax my MBP as much as Parallels did. This was especially noticable when either restoring a session or booting the operating (same image converted to VMWare). When Parallels was starting the machine would crawl, whereas Fusion the machine stays quite responsive.

I should have mentioned that too tupps, thanks

Yeah, at least you can also know when the vm comes out of suspend/resume in Fusion,.

Having used Parallels extensively at work and VMware on my own computer I can say that I easily prefer VMware.

Performance wise it just works faster then Parallels. I also don't game, so the lack of DX support doesn't matter so much.

Better still, I got the academic lisence, so it only cost me about $60

Parallels seems to have worse performance than it did a year or so ago.... I have a PD3 licence, but am seriously considering switching to Fusion just because of the speed and reliability.

Yes I've used them both and I will be using VMWare for the foreseeable future.

But of course things can change.

I do think however, VMWare have the experience, it will take a lot of work for anyone to gain the upper hand.

Anyone feel like donating a Parallels license then, since you're all ditching it in droves? :-)

8RJSA-O88MH-TT6E1-12LAG-LBPPM-MACTALK

but I'm just guessing never used parallels my self

Note the above is a made up number.

I made the shift to VMware about 4 months ago. I've found it to be much more responsive than Parallels and extremely stable. I don't do any gaming on my machine though.

I just realised what your talking about regarding this. Soon as you install VMware tools onto the guest, you will then be able to move mouse from guest to host in a seamless transition, without the need to use the key sequence to release mouse/keyboard focus from the guest (VM machine).

I think that is causing the isssue you describe, so maybe they should allow a configuration option to disable/enable it. That way you can install tools onto the guest and then disable the function that is causing you issues.

Personally I like the seamless transition from guest - host and back again.

Well there's documentation on how to disable the mouse transitioning between vm and osx, but it's done automatically in parallels. I've left it as a wishlist fix on the vmware forums. IT SHOULD be done automatically.

I personally have tried Fusion, and have had to go back to Parallels due to one thing. I rip my DVD's to WMV* format using TMPGEnc Xpress so my kids don't destroy them... and the problem is:

AnyDVD doesn't work properly in Fusion.

It crashes with an error, and due to it's questionable legality, VMWare aren't interested in fixing it, where Parallels jumped on it and fixed it after I reported the issue.

* I rip to WMV format with 5.1 audio support so they play back seamlessly on my Windows Media Center & Xbox 360's.

So my concern is, if an app doesn't work, Parallels have a history of fixing it... VMWare not so much.

Regards,
Shane.

Is that so? That's good to know actually! Going a bit off-topic, have you updated the software on the 360? it does divx/xvid playback now I'm told.

What questionable legality are you referring to?

Yeah my 360 has been updated and DivX and XviD both work (really well actually) from the 360 dashboard, but they currently aren't supported in the Media Center extender mode (which is a familiar interface my family use to watch and record TV) - way to go MS... love your consistency.

As for questionable legality, I refer to the fact that VMWare is a US company, and ripping DVD's (ie removing copy protection/encryption) in the USA is illegal (or very very "questionable" at best), so VMWare aren't putting any effort into fixing the issue.

Regards,
Shane.