Parallels Desktop Review

Parallels Desktop for Mac is Parallels' ground breaking desktop virtualization software. With its innovative features and state-of-the-art virtualization technology, it is leagues ahead of its competition. Here is a detailed review of Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Apple's move to Intel processors has presented Mac users with many new avenues, the most important being the power to run Windows. Usually one has to shut down the Mac's OS to open another operating system, and this is why virtualisation software is such a hit. Simply put, Parallels Desktop is an application which helps users to run more than one operating system on the Mac Pro. Parallels Desktop creates virtual machines, specifically Windows or Linux on the Mac Pro.

There are a few interesting changes in the latest version of Parallels. One is the provision to import Boot Camp partitions and these can be run inside Parallels. This allows you to boot into Windows and access them when running OSX.

The new version, Parallels Desktop 3.x, has also expanded its support for USB devices, albeit the fact that it has limited support for external devices. CardScan scanner however works absolutely fine with Parallels Desktop, which makes Parallels Desktop similar to Virtual PC. For instance, Parallels Desktop doesn't read FireWire like Virtual PC.

Parallels also incorporates a new  feature called Coherence which hides the Windows desktop and allows you to launch Windows applications directly from the Dock of the Mac. To prevent the accidental deleting of files and folders that are crucial to the operation of either OS, Parallels Desktop has also provided sufficient in-built security checks.

Snapshot is yet another feature of the Parallels Desktop. It allows you to save the Windows virtual machine in its existing state so that it will start up again where it was left off. This helps in speeding up launch times, but since Parallels Desktop is very fast on its own and hence there is no need for Snapshot on a daily basis. However, SnapShot allows the user to freeze virtual machines, so he/she can actually use Parallels as a sort of sandbox system to test applications on Windows. Parallels Desktop also boasts of an impressive help software that makes the transition of a PC to a virtual PC on a Mac a fairly simple operation.

Parallels has its share of drawbacks as well. For instance, Parallels could not detect a bootable PC Linux CD. Booting Vista partition also did not work as Parallels did not detect the partition which is probably because Parallels is wary of making Vista virtual, due to its restricted EULA. However, Vista and XP can be installed cleanly in Parallels.

Other drawbacks includes the better performance of virtual PCs when compared to Boot Camp. Coherence is also a wee bit difficult to get running, but once activated it runs in a manner similar to the Classic Apple in OSX - Windows is opened in the background and from the dock, the desired applications may be launched.

So to cut a long story short, Parallels is the best software to run multiple operating systems simultaneously.

You can check out the different versions of Parallels here.

Screenshots of Parallels in action:

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