Windows on Parallels vs Boot Camp

Has anyone tried running Windows on Mac using Parallels?
http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/
Is it really "near native"?
If it's just another VirtualPC then forget it

I would be very very cautious about using this code. It looks to me like Parallels' system isn't really true hypervisor. It installs modules into the host's kernel which seem to create a hypervisor like subsystem of OSX's kernel. It does not actually slip in between your primary OS. Instead the execution environment of "hypervisor" code is shared with the primary OS's kernel.
This code installs new interupt descriptor tables (which defines which functions get called when interrupts are received), and installs its own virtual memory manager.
I don't think I'll be trying out this code anytime soon. This opens up the OS to massive security issues. Basically it is allowing this software to have complete control over the machine.
This software is installing a layer between OSX and the kernal with root privilages, so this is dangerous stuff right now.
I'm really disappointed about this right at the moment. To me virtualization is a holy grail and unfortunately this version seems way too sketchy for me to fool with.
HTH,
Peter

Similar Messages

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    I have just switched from pc to mac.  What is the best way to keep Windows, Parallel of Boot camp?

    Parallels should be able to handle that without any problems.
    There is a version of both of those that will run on the Mac. So you might consider upgrading to that version instead of going with Windows on your Mac.
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  • Windows XP and Parallels or Boot Camp

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    Thanks for the replies. Although I've never used Fusion before, I've installed Parallels with Boot Camp partition three or four times before on this computer, and it has always worked great for me, so I know I want to use Boot Camp. And as far as the application goes, sounds like I'll be using Parallels, mainly because it's what I'm used to. That Wikipedia link was exactly what I was looking for -- I had checked Wikipedia before I posted the topic here, but I didn't find that comparison page. Anyways, they look about the same (Parallels and Fusion, that is) for anything I'd be concerned with, but where there were any differences, they seemed to work in favor of Parallels (except for Linux-related features, in which Fusion seemed to have the upper hand, but I don't use Linux). So, again, thanks for taking the time to respond -- much appreciated. Have a good one.

  • Windows 7 64 Bit Boot Camp install on iMac 27" (2010) without int. DVD drive

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    It doesn't work! But others reported that it should!
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  • Newbie question: Running Parallels from Boot Camp on separate drive

    All: I'm new to the Mac world, so bear with me. I'm awaiting arrival of a Mac Pro that has two separate 250GB drives. I plan on running Parallels because there are certain Windows apps that I need to access periodically--but not enough to open up Boot Camp separately. Someone suggested the following, but I need help in figuring out how this works:
    +"...install Boot Camp on another internal drive (Since you have 4 drive sleds build into the Mac) and run Parallels from that Boot Camp volume. This way you have a dedicated drive for Windows, so its faster and its not using the boot drive at all. You can boot to it natively if you really need the speed and power for gaming or just use Parallels when your in OS X."+
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    I don't think BootCamp allows an installation on another drive, but Parallels and other software will.
    You might repost this in the BootCamp forum where there are many more users running Winders under all kinds of 3rd party software.
    Here's the link:
    http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=237

  • Parallels Desktop, Boot camp or something else

    I am wanting to run Windows on my MacBook Pro - but didn't know what route to go. Has anyone tried Parallels, Fusion, boot camp, etc - What are the pros/cons of them. I am currently running Tiger on mine.
    And just to make sure...I do have to my Windows XP correct - Is there a packaged deal out there where you buy boot camp and XP?
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    Windows on Intel Macs
    There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
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    3. VM Fusionand Windows XP, Vista Business, or Vista Ultimate. VM Fusion is software virtualization that enables running Windows concurrently with OS X.
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  • Parallels or boot camp and internet connections

    hi.
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    *"any suggestions on where i can get a driver? "*
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    *"if i can install the software via parallels or boot camp can i surf on my mac os rather than in the windows interface?"*
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  • Parallels to Boot Camp

    Is there any possible way to use the virtual machine i have installed already for Boot Camp? Or would i have to re-install windows? I know Boot Camp runs Windows separately unlike Parallels.

    Eddy G. wrote:
    Is there any possible way to use the virtual machine i have installed already for Boot Camp?
    Yes.
    Parallels can use the Windows installation that you installed when using Boot Camp.
    Note that though Parallels creates a virtual machine, Boot Camp does not use virtualization, you are basically turning your Mac into a Windows PC.
    iFelix

  • Just installed windows 7 Ultimate using Boot Camp. Problem is when I chose to boot the windows partition, I get the windows icon on the sreen showing that it is starting, but few second after I get a black screen

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    Pierre317

    Hi Pierre,
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  • Would i be better off using parallels than boot camp

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