Bootcamp vs. Parallels vs. VMware Fusion vs. VirtualBox: a small test drive

Just now I decided to come to grips with the question of choosing the most suitable (read: easy and painless) for themselves ways to run Windows on the Mac applications. Why this should be I will not explain... Let's just say that some of my vital program in the version for MacOS is not exist in the near future are unlikely to appear (the reverse is also true: many analogues useful programs for Windows HEMA).

The easiest way to indulge in work with Windows applications is, in my opinion, BootCamp. Indeed, what could be easier: create with the help of a new partition wizard assistant rolls to Windows and work as if nothing had happened, all the good drivers are already available on the disk "Leo". The problem is only one: the need to reboot, including neither of which parallel operation of OS X and Windows, you can not dream. But data from Windows partition without problems read "Makos", and she "Windows" operating at full power without any penalty Kaki, associated with virtualization. Another undoubted advantage of this approach is the fact that many of today's VM can easily pick up the data from the BootCamp partition.

VMWare Fusion. WMware products under Windows successfully take a couple of years without any complaints. Virtual machine under poppy also very, very pleased. First of all, the ability to install, not only Windows, but and "Linux" as well as any kind of craft SkyOS, with whom I had previously dabbled in his spare time. Very pleased with a nice interface and stability. What is not pleased: interface with its integration into makos still inferior to "parallel" (when copying files there VMware dialogue, blocking the work, joint transparent mode win and mac Unity applications nevertheless not yet risen to the level Coherence used in Parallels), but it is less subjective and rastoropen.

Parallels http://www.parallels.com. Very, very decent product, the more domestic. It allows a minimum of problems to install Windows XP / Vista, and Windows applications to work in parallel with the "Makowski", perfectly integrated into the system. Do you want Windows Media Player instead of iTunes or IE next to Safari? No problem! I want full screen mode? Even easier... In short, in the "coherence" to work in the "parallel" - a real pleasure. At the same time hiding the Windows taskbar, you can safely continue to work with OS X and Windows applications, as if no virtualization. A pair of spoons of tar: at the time of testing applications it a couple of times hang, making the continuation of the system impossible, plus very much I do not like lurid tulbarnye button in Parallels. Recently, however, already cavil :)

VirtualBox. This means virtualization, recently acquired by Sun infamous not pleased with anything other than price in $ 0. Even before XP was made and launched VirtualBox has managed a couple of times "to fall." Interface same "box" is a level below that exhibited Fusion and Parallels in the days of his childhood beta. In short, for those couple of hours, I drove the program, the degree of confidence in it and a desire to tinker further not increased in any way.

Yet I will choose between a bunch of BootCamp + Parallels / VMware. Someone from the past will remain on the disk and will be bought - remains an open question. Each product has its own advantages and disadvantages. While I was going to see VMware beta 2, and at the same time to observe how things will behave Parallels. If you run before it falls - it will be easier to make a choice.

A few words about the shortcomings of virtualization. First - resources. About the fact that the normal drive Windows applications along with Leopard on a MacBook with a gigabyte of memory can forget: fun below average. I remember a bad word Apple miser, reason supplying their younger typewriter with memory whose butt is only enough for the functioning of the system and put it on the two gigabyte bar.

With the processor should be no problems: modern Core powerful enough for any task, except that you choose to install in the "virtualke" video. Games... if the game is running in bootcamp, this is not the fact that it normally be acquired in a virtual machine. Trouble can come from anywhere: from the crooked written software to publicly favorite starforce, stubbornly refuses to see the license disks. Those. earned - rejoice. Did not work - it is better to leave the venture, because likely to start the game otherwise not be possible.

That's all for. If there are intelligent comments, other than "in Minya and everything works" or "and in Minya ourselves to not work" - write.