Review: Parallels Desktop 6

[Simon]

For regular switchers it's a slick way to run Windows on the Mac, with a few distinctive tricks...

If you need to run Windows software on a Mac, the simplest option is to dual-boot with Apple's Boot Camp utility. But for everyday use, it's more practical to install an OS X virtualisation host such as Parallels Desktop (or its rival, VMware Fusion) to run multiple operating systems concurrently. Both let you hide the Windows desktop and run Mac and Windows applications side by side.

Parallels Desktop 6 brings a few new features that VMware can't match. The big one is a mobile application for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, allowing you to connect to virtual machines over the internet. We tested it on an iPad, and had no problem accessing our Windows installation through a firewall. Once we got the hang of touch controls the OS was responsive and usable, and you can even remotely power-on virtual machines via the mobile app - so long as the host Mac is turned on, of course. It's just a shame you can't access OS X the same way.

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/software/361855/parallels-desktop-6

Might be of use to some... 

[Steve]

I think I will stick to the free version-Virtualbox for the few times I use Windows, the article mention coherence or unity which he wrongly states does not exist in Virtualbox. If I had to pay I think I'd go for VMware as I've also read about support issues with Parallels.

[esh]

You can't go wrong with VMWare, even if it does actually cost something. If it's "virtually" possible, then VMWare tends to do it best in my experience of Xen, Virtualbox and VMWare. I did harp on about moving the servers here to an open source solution but there were Windows issues with Virtualbox and Xen was just a nightmare.

Naturally Parallels includes features encouraging you to buy more Mac products! Sometimes it feels like you won't be able to boot up a Mac without some other piece of Apple technology to plug in