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My Review of Parallels Beta 3036

H

htdefiant

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 19, 2006
77
0
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.

Screenshot 1

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.

Screenshot 2

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
 
Xenesis

Xenesis

macrumors regular
Sep 3, 2006
197
0
Australia
I tried the parallels beta demo a few weeks ago...I wasn't impressed.

The 'Run from Boot Camp partition feature' didn't really work at all, and it refused to recognise my Win95 CD that I was using for kicks (And to possibly play Worms Armageddon).
 
Xenesis

Xenesis

macrumors regular
Sep 3, 2006
197
0
Australia
Um, why not host the images on something like Imageshack so everyone can view them without registering for your board?
 
Snide

Snide

macrumors 6502a
Apr 12, 2005
912
753
Please just upload them to Imageshack or Photobucket, post the links, and be done with it...
 
X

Xyl

macrumors regular
Dec 30, 2006
181
0
I'd rather stick with the 1st screenshot configuration. Having a Windows bar at the bottom of your Mac OS X screen just makes it look ewwww :p .
 
7

72930

Retired
May 16, 2006
9,060
4
If you want your dock on the bottom, without the unsightly start bar hovering above it, I reccomend putting the windows start bar at the top in windows, so that it appears just below the menu bar in coherence mode...
 
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