From TidBITS#834/19-Jun-06
Begin forwarded message:
> Parallels Desktop: The Switch Is Complete
> -----------------------------------------
> by Robert Movin <email@hidden>
>
> Back when I first contacted TidBITS to write my article "From iPod
> to MacBook Pro: A Switcher's Tale," I never expected it would
> result in a trilogy dedicated to the state of virtualization
> on a Mac. But with this final chapter I'm proud to say my switch
> to a full-time Mac user is complete, ahead of schedule, and
> virtualization is far more powerful than I ever expected merely
> six months after the release of the first Intel Macs. And this
> isn't due to the powers of giants like Microsoft (Virtual PC),
> EMC (VMWare), or even open source (QEMU), but rather a diminutive
> yet nimble startup called Parallels. (See my last article,
> "WinOnMac Smackdown: Dual-Boot versus Virtualization" for a more
> thorough explanation of virtualization and how it differs from
> Apple's Boot Camp beta implementation.)
>
> <http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=08455>
> <http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=08495>
>
> I'm normally quite cynical and critical of new technology
> products, but Parallels Desktop so far surpasses initial
> expectations that's it's hard to avoid waxing poetic. Although
> there's still plenty of room for improvement, it's one of
> the few pieces of software I can strongly recommend without
> reservations, and one that might just change the world's
> perceptions of Macs. For anything short of gaming, Parallels
> Desktop is the best option for running Windows (and more)
> on a Mac.
>
> <http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/>
>
>
> **From Beta Program to Release** -- Parallels released their first
> beta of Parallels Desktop for Mac (called Parallels Workstation at
> the time) just as I was completing my previous article for TidBITS
> the first week of April. Unlike any of the other tools I tested or
> reviewed, including Apple's Boot Camp, I was able to install any
> version of Windows, all updates, and all major software packages.
> Performance was decent, but the first beta was plagued with poor
> memory management, limited features (such as a lack of file
> exchange with the host system), and bugs that crashed my Mac
> during such uncommon tasks as putting it to sleep. That said,
> it ran Windows, it ran all the software I needed (including
> our corporate VPN), and ran it all faster than my PC at work.
> I'm pretty sure the Parallels development team hasn't slept since
> the first beta, as the following two and a half months included
> nearly weekly releases full of significant performance and feature
> improvements. The final release is a polished, stable product with
> more features than the initial beta suggested, although still
> lacking a few pieces that advanced users familiar with VMWare
> might miss. Despite the "beta" label, I've run all the releases
> in my personal production environment and feel confident that
> I've stress-tested fairly thoroughly.
>
> <http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/>
>
> The final release version of Parallels Desktop for Mac appeared
> on 15-Jun-06 for $80, but it costs only $50 for those who order
> before 15-Jul-06; sorry folks, the $40 price for those of us
> who pre-ordered is no longer available. [Though if you purchase
> "Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac", there's a coupon at
> the end of the ebook with which you can save $10 off Parallels
> Desktop. -Adam]. The final release includes a bonus: the normally
> $180 Parallels Compressor for shrinking virtual images from
> multiple products, including VMWare.
>
> <http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/windows-on-mac.html?14@@!pt=TB834>
> <http://www.parallels.com/en/products/compressor/>
>
>
> **The Review** -- What's good about the release version? It boots
> Windows XP SP2 quickly. It runs Windows, Linux, OS/2, and pretty
> much any other x86 operating system. It supports most USB
> devices. It runs different operating systems full screen on
> multiple monitors. You can cut and paste between operating
> systems. It shares files with Mac OS X. It's probably faster
> than your PC.
>
> What's bad? Not much, to be honest. There's no support for
> FireWire or gaming-level graphics, USB 2.0 devices run at
> 1.1 speed, and some CD/DVD control issues exist.
>
> As with most Mac software, installing Parallels is a breeze.
> Just download and mount the disk image and double click the
> installer package. But installing the software doesn't instantly
> grant you access to the world of Windows. You'll still need
> a Windows install disc and a valid license, and you'll have
> to go through a few basic steps. Although Parallels does a good
> job of simplifying the process, it might be intimidating to
> a non-technical user who hadn't read the instructions in
> "Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac."
>
> I started by creating a new virtual machine using the included
> wizard, which does a good job of walking you through the process.
> I decided on my operating system (Windows XP) and named the
> virtual machine before being dropped into the console view where
> I chose various configuration options. The defaults should work
> for most users, but I did give my virtual machine extra memory
> (256 MB is the default) and enabled file sharing with Mac OS X
> (disabled by default to keep those pesky Windows viruses out of
> your Mac files). I inserted my Windows installation disc, clicked
> the Play button in Parallels Desktop, and started walking through
> the Windows installer. From here on the entire process is no
> different than installing Windows on a new PC. Windows was running
> in less than 30 minutes, after which I installed the Parallels
> Tools for better networking, screen, and mouse support before
> going through the more laborious process of installing all my
> needed Windows software. In all it took about 90 minutes to
> install Parallels Desktop, Windows XP, Parallels Tools, and my
> basic package of Windows software. One caution: you really need
> a valid Windows license, and you will have to go through the
> activation process.
>
> The Parallels Desktop interface is clean and intuitive and
> should feel familiar if you've used other virtualization tools
> like VMWare. Small icons in the lower right corner display your
> networking, USB, hard disk, and other peripheral status while
> a moveable toolbar allows you to start, stop, pause, reset,
> or switch your virtual machine to full screen mode. With Parallels
> Tools installed, your mouse cursor scrolls cleanly across the
> guest operating system as if it were part of Mac OS X. For guest
> operating systems without Parallels Tools you must remember to
> press Ctrl-Alt to regain your mouse control. Keyboard control can
> be a bit tricky when moving in and out of virtual machines, since
> although it looks like just another part of Mac OS X, it's still
> a separate operating system with keystroke combinations that might
> conflict with those in Mac OS X. Parallels Desktop provides a menu
> to send special commands (like the ever-present Ctrl-Alt-Del)
> to the guest operating system, but I frequently find myself
> forgetting that Ctrl-C in the Windows window is very different
> than Ctrl-C in Mac OS X.
>
> Performance is where Parallels Desktop really shines. It's
> the first virtualization software to take advantage of the VT
> technology in Intel's newer chips, hardware extensions provided
> specifically to enhance virtual machine performance. On my MacBook
> Pro, Windows XP takes about 10 seconds to boot and is incredibly
> responsive. I've seen some outside reports state that performance
> is only around 2 percent slower than running Windows XP under Boot
> Camp and is faster than running on some Core-Duo PC systems from
> other hardware manufacturers. Performance after booting is still
> strong and easily comparable to my Pentium 4, and is definitely
> faster than my Pentium M laptop. I can't express the shock value
> of seeing Windows boot so fast the progress bar never makes it
> past the first little dot. Everywhere I go, I end up with a crowd
> of IT professionals behind me just watching me boot in and out
> of Windows. If only Apple offered rewards for referrals, I could
> probably retire in a few more months.
>
> I can usually sway those skeptics that still balk at the
> performance by giving them a quick full screen demo. You
> know that great looking cube effect when you switch users
> in Mac OS X? That's one of around a half dozen transition
> options when moving to full screen mode. The cube rotates
> and pauses for a second as the video resizes to the MacBook
> Pro's widescreen resolution. There it is, looking just like
> a native Windows machine (without the ugly stickers slapped
> onto the case). If you have two monitors, you can keep Mac OS X
> on one and run your guest operating system on the other,
> full screen, with smooth mouse scrolling across each. Just don't
> forget the command to switch out of full screen (Alt-Enter) or
> you'll get stuck like I did the first time. For some reason I've
> noticed a slight delay when trying to switch back, and sometimes
> have to send the command more than once.
>
> Networking support is decent, but definitely weaker than some
> of the competition (not that anyone else runs on Intel Macs yet).
> By default, Parallels Desktop creates its own bridged network
> connection using the host computer's active network adapter,
> making your virtual machine look like another computer on the
> network. You can also specify that it use any network adapter
> on your Mac. Parallels also supports host-only networking,
> if you want to isolate the virtual machine or even share your
> Mac's existing network connection. I've used this to share
> my wireless EVDO connection over Bluetooth when traveling
> (you can set this in your Sharing preference pane). Unlike
> VMWare, you can't create a complete virtual network on your
> Mac, a handy feature for IT pros wanting to test virtual systems
> in a safe, "fake" network.
>
> One of the features I particularly appreciate is being able to
> run nearly any Linux distribution, including live distributions
> (like Knoppix) directly from their disk images without local
> installation. Tools support isn't available, so you have to
> remember to switch mouse and keyboard control manually. Hardware
> support is also more limited, but I've tested both Slax and
> Knoppix-based distributions without any problems. Networking
> and displays work well enough for most of my needs. Like other
> virtualization tools, you can point Parallels Desktop at any
> bootable disk image without having to decompress and install
> it on a partition.
>
> <http://www.knoppix.org/>
> <http://www.slax.org/>
>
> USB support appeared in the last few release candidates, and works
> with the USB devices I've tested, including one (my SCUBA dive
> watch) that didn't work in earlier betas. Reports from the
> Parallels support forums indicate not every device works yet,
> but the development team seems to be making good progress.
> One big limitation is USB 2.0 devices only connect at the slower
> USB 1.1 standard. I also don't recommend having devices connect
> automatically, or every USB device you connect will be hijacked
> by your virtual machine. It's kind of annoying when I plug in
> my iPod shuffle and it pops up in the virtual machine as a mass
> storage device instead of opening iTunes.
>
> As with other virtualization products, Parallels Desktop supports
> multiple operating systems running concurrently - but you had
> better have enough memory. I upped my MacBook Pro to 2 GB and
> can run two or three virtual machines comfortably with my usual
> Mac OS X applications.
>
> Individual virtual machines consist of two files: one hard disk
> image and a configuration file. Cloning virtual machines is easy,
> and you can back up your entire Windows installation by simply
> copying the hard disk file. If only all computers were virtual.
> Parallels also includes tools for changing virtual disk sizes,
> but this process is a bit complicated; it's better to make sure
> you create a large enough image from the start.
>
>
> **In the Real World** -- Aside from showing off, I've been
> migrating completely onto Parallels as the beta versions have
> improved. I've moved all but one of my work applications into
> the virtual machine, and it has increased my productivity.
> My Windows installation is much cleaner than my "official"
> work system, since all my personal applications are in Mac OS X
> and I need only a minimal set of Windows tools. Windows now
> runs faster, is easier to maintain, and easier to keep locked
> down. I'm in negotiations with our IT department to create a
> complete, sanctioned virtual image that's locked down without
> administrative rights. Since Parallels also sells Parallels
> Workstation, a version that runs on Windows, if this experiment
> works, we'll have a locked-down, sanctioned image that's easy
> to migrate, backup, secure, and distribute. Users can run all
> the spyware and viruses they want on their host PC (except for
> us Mac users, of course) while the corporate image remains safe
> and isolated. I also find myself frequently running multiple
> versions of Windows and Linux concurrently, giving me a great
> excuse to bump my system memory up to 2 GB.
>
> And I just can't fully express the "Wow!" factor. When people,
> especially IT professionals, see Windows running comfortably
> on a Mac with full functionality, you can see prejudices melt
> from their eyes. When they realize my Windows virtual machine is
> running faster than their new dedicated PC, you can feel the envy
> ooze out of their pores. The effect of seeing the cube transition
> to full screen can only be described as the geek equivalent of
> those swooning teenage girls in those old Elvis movies. This is
> the future of computing on any platform.
>
>
> **Looking Forward** -- Although Parallels Desktop/Workstation
> is available on Mac and PC, the greater standardization of
> Mac hardware may afford opportunities to improve the virtual
> experience. Today the one glaring weakness of virtual machines
> is much weaker video support. Without direct access to graphics
> cards you can't support the advanced features needed for gaming
> and other visual elements (as we might expect in Windows Vista).
> The Parallels development team is rumored to be working hard on
> the problem, and I wouldn't be surprised if the next version
> supports advanced graphics applications. Hopefully, we'll also
> see better networking support, better USB (and even FireWire)
> support, and I wouldn't mind some interface improvements when
> selecting and switching between different virtual machines.
> While the average user just running a single instance of Windows
> on their Mac will be satisfied with current features, Parallels
> definitely has room to improve features for IT pros. It also lacks
> any of the centralized management tools for multiple images needed
> for large enterprise deployments.
>
> Outside of additional product features, Parallels Desktop is one
> of the only applications I've seen that could change the world's
> perceptions and acceptance of Macs. It's right up there with
> Mac OS X, iLife, and Microsoft Office for Mac in the category
> of "this changes everything."
>
> If you're not convinced, consider this: Apple has dedicated
> a page to Parallels Desktop linked to their new "Get a Mac"
> advertising campaign under the banner "You can even run Windows
> software." You'll notice a distinct lack of any reference
> there to Apple's own Boot Camp (though the reason could be
> that Boot Camp is still in beta). Could we see Parallels become
> part of the Apple family? Maybe, but Parallels is an up-and-comer
> in the world of virtualization and has a healthy future even
> without gaining the Apple name. Either way the Mac community
> wins, not that I'd complain about it being built into Mac OS X.
>
> <http://www.apple.com/getamac/windows.html>
>
> Thanks to Parallels Desktop, running Windows on a Mac - without
> diminishing the Mac (or Windows) experience - is now a reality.
> I can highly recommend Parallels for anyone with an Intel Mac
> and a need (because it probably isn't a desire) for Windows.
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