Buy Windows For Parallels Mac Recovery Partition

This may sound convenient, but its a feature that I always to turn off in Parallels settings dialog.

Buy Windows For Parallels Mac Recovery Partition

Can install macOS virtual machines directly from the Mac recovery partition.

Only runs on a Mac, so you cant share guest machines with Windows or Linux users.

IT pros may prefer VMware Fusion; expert users who want no-cost apps will prefer the open-source VirtualBox.

Hardcore gamers may prefer Apples Boot Camp, which lets users boot directly into Windows, with the added bonus of native graphics card support.

For most ordinary Mac users who prefer Windows versions of apps like Microsoft Office or AutoCAD, however, or who use Windows-only apps like CorelDraw or WordPerfect Office, Parallels Desktop is the clear first choice for virtualization software.

VMware Fusion and VirtualBox are even more flexible, and can run historical curiosities like OS2 and NeXTSTEP.

Also, unlike Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion and VirtualBox have versions that run on Windows and Linux machines, while Parallels Desktop is Mac-only.

VMware Fusion has a one-time cost (a model some consumers may prefer) of 79.99 for its standard version and 159.99 for its Pro version.

VirtualBox is free for personal use and 50 for corporate use, but you get far fewer convenience features out of the box with this open-source product.

This is where Parallels focus on ordinary end users shines best.

Unlike all other virtualization apps, Parallels doesnt expect you to have a Windows or Linux installer disk or disk image ready when you start it up, although it can use that image if you have one.

Instead, Parallels user-helpful menu lets you buy a Windows 10 download directly from Microsoft, or simply download a Windows 10 installer if you already have a license key.

A scrolling list at the foot of the menu lets you download specific versions of Linux or Android, install a virtual copy of macOS from your Macs hidden recovery partition, or install Windows from a Boot Camp partition if you have one.

However, Parallels is unique in supplementing this feature with a Rollback option that automatically discards all changes to a system when you shut it down, so it works like a kiosk system, returning to its pristine condition every time you power it up.

This feature can be invaluable in testing, or in environments like schools where users are liable to leave systems a lot messier than they found them.

If you used Microsofts long-abandoned VirtualPC app, youll remember this feature, and will welcome its return in Parallels.

On my vintage 2015 MacBook Pro, Parallels boots Windows 10 to the desktop in 35 seconds, compared to 60 seconds for VMware.

VirtualBox matches Parallels boot speed, but it performs far fewer integration tasks while booting up.

For example, VirtualBox doesnt provide printer integration and the ability to open Windows files with Mac apps and vice versa.

The speed difference isnt nearly as obvious when running Windows apps after the OS starts up, however.

Parallels feels slightly faster than its rivals, but not drastically so.

Fast as it is, Parallels wont satisfy hard-core gamers because Parallels, like VMware Fusion, only supports DirectX 10, while VirtualBox only supports DirectX 9.

Theres nothing that Parallels can do about this limitation, which is the result of the Macs limited support for OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) features.