Parallels Desktop allows you to run Virtual Machines on Mac enabling you to run anything from Linux, Chrome OS, Android but most of all, Most versions of Windows XP through 10 problem is it normally costs £64.99
but if you buy the education edition its 100% the same product infact all your buying is a licence key, and its less than half the price, and the standard Apple store stocks it with no student or educational requirements.
you are getting version 11 which is the latest version.
Top comments
ciderno1
31 Jan 165#10
Wish i knew what u lot are on about:(
bobinda
30 Jan 165#4
Virtual box is free and can do essentially the same.
benjai
31 Jan 164#12
I'd like to keep my Mac free of Windows thanks.
qwerta369
30 Jan 163#1
Just use boot camp, it's free.
All comments (39)
qwerta369
30 Jan 163#1
Just use boot camp, it's free.
haritori to qwerta369
30 Jan 162#2
bootcamp means you have to boot into either windows oe OSX but this allows you to run in coherence, you can run windows programs from within MAC OSX
topss to qwerta369
31 Jan 161#7
Not sure if that was sarcasm, but to clear it up, as good as bootcamp is, Parallels takes a Mac to a different level. With enough ram you can easily run 3 or more OS at the same time, without any need to keep rebooting. It's not just there to enable you to run Windows on a Mac in the simple way that Boot camp does.
BuzzDuraband
30 Jan 16#3
I did once use Parallels, and to be honest it seriously confused the **** out of me. I personally would use Bootcamp (as I do) over Parallels, but heat added for the price :smiley:
bobinda
30 Jan 165#4
Virtual box is free and can do essentially the same.
M0nk3h to bobinda
31 Jan 16#6
Sure but you're limited via VRAM should you wish to allocate more.
VBOX - 128MB
Parallels - Upto 2GB.
the__cat to bobinda
31 Jan 161#9
Wrong
hobsgrg to bobinda
31 Jan 16#16
I've used both, Parallels offers a lot more features and offers much better performance
billz08
30 Jan 16#5
Definately worth it as a program, bootcamp is a totally different concept. Regardless deals a deal, thanks OP, heat added.
bobinda
31 Jan 16#8
It is possible to allocate up to 256MB by editing the underlying config file but under normal operation I have never needed to allocate more than 128MB. Guess it is all down to which apps you wish to use.
ciderno1
31 Jan 165#10
Wish i knew what u lot are on about:(
computerdog to ciderno1
31 Jan 16#22
Don't worry, you are not missing much... :wink:
M0nk3h
31 Jan 16#11
I mean even still, if you needed over that, a solution like this would be probably the best option. Saying that 256mb would probably be ample for such operations. I'm glad you alerted that to me no more 128mb limit aha.
benjai
31 Jan 164#12
I'd like to keep my Mac free of Windows thanks.
JoeSpur to benjai
1 Feb 16#34
Exactly. If u wanted a real computer u would have bought one in the first place. :man:
smitha
31 Jan 16#13
Just got one. Can anyone suggest where I can get a Windows (7 or 8 or 10) for free or cheap to use with Parallels?
Thanks
fishmaster to smitha
31 Jan 16#15
Reddit, eBay, G2A
anteater_sa to smitha
31 Jan 16#25
I often see broken laptops being sold on ebay for spares and repairs or with smashed screen. Often they will have a license sticker for Windows 7,8,10 on the bottom. May be worth a punt.
Zoom7000
31 Jan 16#14
It's a good deal. I used to use this and VMware Fusion, but I just found it too battery draining on my rMBP
haritori
31 Jan 16#17
there are a lot of people comparing products here, i suggest you go try Parallels on the 14 day trial, you will see it blends with Mac seamlessly and how much better than the alternatives it is.
croz123
31 Jan 16#18
It is useful but I personally just use bootcamp. For the laptops the RAM will limit performance.
smojo
31 Jan 16#19
Damn good price, heated!
DaytonaGrey
31 Jan 16#20
Great deal. I don't use it for Windows personally but I have it for Android and Chrome OS development. Being able to drag and drop from OSX to A.N. Other OS is very useful for me.
Postie
31 Jan 16#21
I use Parallels and like it, good price
bordonman
31 Jan 161#23
Is running Windows on a Mac a bit like trying to hide reading a smutty book by putting on a different cover?
OrribleHarry to bordonman
31 Jan 161#29
It's more like admitting windows is more versatile.
ciderno1
31 Jan 16#24
Lol im one of those who can just about use a smartphone even that dont get to use all features available. interesting reading comments n information tho
eldaras
31 Jan 16#26
Good price! I personally use virtual box as it has all the features I need plus (free) integration with other tools.
This is good if you need to squeeze the last bits of performance from your VMs.
stevelo1973
31 Jan 16#27
how does this work regarding viruses etc. i ave a Rmbp and have no issues but if i install parallels how would that affect the mac? i have always used bootcamp with an antivirus on the windows partition but i am presuming this runs on the mac partition and doesn't have a separate partition hence the seamless merger of both os's. can someone please enlighten me. cheers
haritori to stevelo1973
31 Jan 16#28
It can only corrupt shared folders, Windows can be infected just like if it was running on a dedicated machine, but OS X cannot be infected from a windows virus.
scrooge82
31 Jan 16#30
Do you mind telling me what those other tools are??
BarGin
31 Jan 16#31
I have Windows 10 via Boot Camp on my Mac. If I install Parallels and ask it to use the existing Win 10 partition will I have Windows activation problems?
haritori to BarGin
31 Jan 16#32
no idea, but according to parallels it is supposed to be seamless so i assume by that activation shouldn't be an issue.
topss to BarGin
31 Jan 161#33
Shouldn't do. I have run Windows 7 and now 10 through Parallels that was installed via Bootcamp. You just tell Parallels to use the Bootcamp Windows when setting up a virtual machine. All it's doing is allowing you to run it at the same time as Mac OS. There are some slight limitations, can't remember exactly, but something to do with snapshots and not being able to run in safe mode. But no problems with activation.
The other option was to 'import' the Bootcamp Windows installation, but then any changes made after the import aren't reflected when you switch to Bootcamp. In other words it's basically a different installation. I'm not sure if this would suffer any ongoing activation problems.
Edit
Here is the link to some more information if you do come up against any activation problems:
Symptoms
Windows Virtual Machine installed from Boot Camp partition shows that it is not genuine and ask for activation.
Cause
Windows operating system detects the hardware change and presumes it to be installed on a different machine. Virtual hardware is different from the real hardware (where Boot Camp is installed) and can cause such confusion for software.
Resolution
Activate Windows in Virtual Machine and restart Windows. Make sure Windows is activated in Virtual Machine.
Restart your Mac and boot to Boot Camp directly. Go to Control Panel -> System -> Activate now -> Activate online.
If it cannot be activated online - call Microsoft and activate Windows by phone, please tell Microsoft Support you have changes the hardware and need to reactivate Windows installed on your drive . Microsoft should not require using a separate Windows license key for a virtual machine based on Boot Camp partition. Reboot Windows in Boot Camp and make sure Windows is activated.
ukripper
1 Feb 16#35
Virtual box video memory is limited to 128mb but not the actual RAM..please dont give misinfo coz u want to sell ur own parallel products..
haritori to ukripper
1 Feb 16#36
Pretty sure he doesn't work for Parallels and it was said VRAM.
eldaras
4 Feb 16#37
I think I misused the plural, but mostly Vagrant (https://www.vagrantup.com/) and Docker Machine (https://www.docker.com/products/docker-toolbox). Docker machine also works with VmWare Fusion, but not parallels.
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Opening post
but if you buy the education edition its 100% the same product infact all your buying is a licence key, and its less than half the price, and the standard Apple store stocks it with no student or educational requirements.
you are getting version 11 which is the latest version.
Top comments
All comments (39)
VBOX - 128MB
Parallels - Upto 2GB.
Thanks
This is good if you need to squeeze the last bits of performance from your VMs.
The other option was to 'import' the Bootcamp Windows installation, but then any changes made after the import aren't reflected when you switch to Bootcamp. In other words it's basically a different installation. I'm not sure if this would suffer any ongoing activation problems.
Edit
Here is the link to some more information if you do come up against any activation problems:
http://kb.parallels.com/en/9703
Symptoms
Windows Virtual Machine installed from Boot Camp partition shows that it is not genuine and ask for activation.
Cause
Windows operating system detects the hardware change and presumes it to be installed on a different machine. Virtual hardware is different from the real hardware (where Boot Camp is installed) and can cause such confusion for software.
Resolution
Activate Windows in Virtual Machine and restart Windows. Make sure Windows is activated in Virtual Machine.
Restart your Mac and boot to Boot Camp directly. Go to Control Panel -> System -> Activate now -> Activate online.
If it cannot be activated online - call Microsoft and activate Windows by phone, please tell Microsoft Support you have changes the hardware and need to reactivate Windows installed on your drive . Microsoft should not require using a separate Windows license key for a virtual machine based on Boot Camp partition. Reboot Windows in Boot Camp and make sure Windows is activated.