htdefiant Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Parallels Desktop Review: Beta Build 3036 After using Parallels for a while now, I can sum it up in one sentence: Parallels Beta is the best Windows virtualization software to date. From Coherence Mode to Drag-n-Drop this beta version has it all. In my review, I'll try and sum up it's functionality and features. First, a brief introduction. For those of you unaware, Parallels is a program that allows Intel-based Macs to run Windows right along side your OS X system. Why do you care? Because this enables you to run "that one Windows program" or "that one thing I need for work" and still have a Mac. All without rebooting. So, what's new in the Beta? They have this new feature called Coherence mode. This makes Windows running even more seamless then before. When you press the Coherence Mode button, your Windows desktop disappears. You're left with a start menu on the bottom of your screen, and any open windows in Windows you had. Now, you can switch from OS X to Windows without noticing. I was web-editing in Dreamweaver (OS X), and I moved to Internet Explorer 7 on Windows to see how it looks in that browser. But, I didn't really notice the switch of the OS. It just happened. It takes a little bit of getting used to, if you are accustomed to the normal Parallels window, but once you become acclimated with the new feature, you'll be amazed. The next feature is drag and drop support. Maybe it's because of the quality of the hard drive I'm on, but the transfers are blazing fast! For example, yesterday I downloaded an outline design program. Reading too quickly and not seeing it's Windows-only compatibility, I just downloaded the .zip file. When unzipped, to my dismay, I found a .exe! I opened up Parallels, and in a few seconds the .exe was transfered. Soon, I was designing entire networks with my new EDraw Network Design program. Another new feature is the ability to run your Boot Camp partition in Parallels. I admit, I haven't tried it yet. The process involves backing up your Windows partition, then converting it into a .hdd file. Then you can run it straight from Parallels. Lastly, I gave Windows Vista a go on Parallels. While it's slow (I only gave Vista 512 MB, so it's understandable), it works! My advice to you readers: If you are not already, give Parallels Beta a try. It's free! Harrison Windows on the Mac http://www.windowsonthemac.com Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/39251-my-review-of-parallels-beta-3036/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
milesce Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Actually, you don't have to back up your boot camp partition. I'm running one install of windows on my machine. Normally I run it in parallels, which gives me access to the windows programs I use (Outlook, SQL Server, some others) while booted on OSX. Your right -- it's absolutely transparent, especially since you can drop your most used windows apps into the dock. When I want to game, shut down parallels, reboot into bootcamp, and go. Funny -- when I boot up into boot camp now, it's a little disorienting, because its the same windows installation, and everything operates the same, but I'm missing the host os. I switched to mac when they made the intel transition, but because I manage a windows network for work, I have to have windows. Increasingly, I'm finding that the ability to run everything I need -- cross platform -- unix, mac, windows -- all at the same time, on the same machine, no reboots -- wow. Just wow. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/39251-my-review-of-parallels-beta-3036/#findComment-280161 Share on other sites More sharing options...
htdefiant Posted January 20, 2007 Author Share Posted January 20, 2007 Just wow pretty much sums it up. I just back up for precautionary reasons Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/39251-my-review-of-parallels-beta-3036/#findComment-280334 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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