Comments on: VMware Fusion 2 vs. Parallels 4 – FIGHT!

By: Bo Zhong

Bo Zhong — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:05:51 +0000

Thanks very much for this review. Having tried both fusion and parallels 3 and 4, for basic stuff like excel, word, plus some unique stuff [updating using a usb device for datacards], speed is not noticeable between the two [maybe fusion is a bit faster]. However, usb connectivity is *much* better with fusion, always seems to be a problem with parallels. BUT what makes fusion *much better* is customer support–parallels customer support is non-existent! You have to purchase each upgrade, and pay *again* if you malware or whatever crashes your machine and you need to download the program again. As well, it appears they care nothing on customer service: several emails to support went totally unanswered.
So performance-wise, advantage to fusion for basic tasks, particularly if you use usb peripherals; with respect to customer service, parallels gets an F.

By: OmerTech

OmerTech — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:46:46 +0000

Until last year, I used Parrallels. As soon as I heard about Vmware, I installed it. All because the Unity Mode. Now also cause I can run Linux.

By: Tyler Tschida

Tyler Tschida — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:50:09 +0000

Very informative. I have to keep Windows away from my Macbook, I don’t want to hurt it’s feelings.

By: Odie

Odie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:43:56 +0000

I’ve used Parallels in the past and moved away from it as it had notable performance issues with high CPU tasks ( which apparently recovery software does ) and because I moved to 64-bit version of Vista. Which, neither company support Vista Home Premium x64. Before that, my XP installation became toast when I tried to install SP3 and didn’t know I had to update Parallels before I did. …Good article, though, nice stuff to know.

By: Steven Fisher

Steven Fisher — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:02:10 +0000

I use Fusion, but I have to say my experience with 3d graphics under it have shown it be lacking. The only game I’ve tried so far runs as smooth as glass on my new MacBook when I use Boot Camp, but stutters badly under Fusion.

Luckily, most of my use is not gaming.

I have no reason to think Parallels would be any better (and suspect it’d be worse).