The retiring month has been a judicious time for Mac users look to live in a thwartwise - platform world . First , hackers came up with a method acting that let Mac users put in and boot Windows XP on an Intel - based Mac . Then , Apple get into the act with Boot Camp , software system that allows Intel - free-base Macs to boot into Windows XP but without a tidy sum of the hurdles associated with the hack method .
Shortly after Boot Camp arrived , Parallels unveiled itsParallels Workstation , a new “ virtual machine ” answer for Intel - based Macs . AsMacworld ’s nonmigratory lab rat , I volunteered to once again put up my Mac mini Core Duo in an experiment to see just how Parallels Workstation performs . Before we dive in any deeper , though , I thought I ’d spend a few minute talk about just what a practical machine is , and why it ’s not the same thing as Virtual microcomputer , as easy as it may be to make that mental comparison . After that , I ’ll hash out my experiences with Parallels Workstation .
About Virtual Machines
A practical machine , or VM for short , can have a numeral of meanings — you canread about themon Wikipedia , if you wish . In this circumstance , though , VM means the power to play one ( or more ) guest operating system within a ( relatively ) protect surround within OS X. The practical machine solvent has two main advantages over using Apple ’s Boot Camp to install and run Windows XP :
So why is n’t a VM just like using the old practical PC on a PowerPC Mac ? The big conflict is that the processor itself does n’t necessitate to be emulated , meaning you’re able to get amazingly good speeds , even when running within operating system X. In gain , Intel ’s silicon chip feature ironware support for virtualization , leading to even less of a fastness smash . I ’ll mouth about the stop number in more detail a bit later .
Windows and Linux ( on Intel ) users have had access code to good VM solution for many years now — in addition to Parallels ’ products , there ’s alsoVMWare Workstation , which I ’ve really installed and tested on my Boot - refugee camp - boot Core Duo miniskirt ( talk about confound ! ) . Using these products , Windows users can install and use Linux , and Linux users can run Windows software package , all without having to boot or zone their driveway . mack OS 10 user have missed out on these options in the past . Sure , we could operate Linux and Windows , but we either did so by partitioning our drives and rebooting , or by putting up with slow performance from Virtual PC . ( Not that that ’s alone Virtual PC ’s fault — it ’s just that emulating an integral central processor is a complex and CPU - intensive proposition . )
Hot on the heels of Apple ’s release of Boot Camp , Parallels come out with its beta 1 spillage of Parallels Workstation ( or PW for little ) for OS X. This was promptly come after by beta 2 through genus Beta 4 . I ’ve had each version installed on my Core Duo , but really did n’t set about test it until genus Beta 3 was released .
XP on Parallels Workstation
The first matter I decided to do was to equate it to Apple ’s Boot Camp as a “ Windows on OS Adam ” solution . I was most curious about performance in the “ everyday ” situation programme that someone might need XP for — Microsoft Access in particular — but I was also interested in just how well Windows itself would incline as a “ Edgar Albert Guest OS ” under OS X.
Warning : A word of advice … if you ’re thinking of head down the Parallels Workstation route , continue with caution . This is beta computer software . Definitely genus Beta . I know numerous pith panics , unprompted restarts of my Mac mini itself ( not just the practical machine ) , and casing where a generate VM would not put to work after a crash and restart . I would n’t put PW on a production machine just yet , unless you ’re ( a ) very brave , and ( b ) have very expert backups .
When you found PW , you ’re greeted with a generic VM frame-up CRT screen :
This is your entry full point into the world of VMs . To install XP , the first thing you need to do is make the VM where it will reside . Select File : New Virtual Machine , and then conform to the prompt — you’ll want to select Windows as the OS and Windows XP as the version from two drop - down menus along the way of life . When you ’re done , you ’ll have a new - defined virtual political machine , nearly ready for an XP installation . I say “ well-nigh ” because there ’s one matter you ’ll desire to do first . tick the Edit button at the bottom of the main window , then tap Memory . PW defaults an XP virtual machine to 256 Mbit ; I bumped this to 1,140 MB ( subsequently tests showed that 512 megabyte and 384 MB also provide honorable performance ) . For most distinctive office employment , 256 MB should be sufficient .
With the apparatus work out of the means , you ’re quick to instal XP . Insert your XP standard candle — anyversion of XP , not just XP SP2 , as Boot Camp requires . Then , start the virtual machine by pressing the swordplay clitoris . The XP disk will bring up your practical machine , and from that point , it ’s a typical Windows XP installation . Once the install completes , your practical automobile will restart , and soon , you ’ll be seeing Windows XP run side - by - side with OS X.
The final thing you ’ll need to do is to instal the Parallels Tools . You do this after boot XP ; it ’s a Windows package that you ’re installing . Among other features , the Tools software package improves the integrating between Windows XP and OS X. The shiner , which will be jumpy at first , becomes as smooth as it is in OS X ; you ’ll be able-bodied to use higher declaration screen , and the clipboard is synchronized — intend you’re able to copy in Windows XP and paste in OS X , and vice - versa .
arrange XP to the test
With all the basics out of the way , I set out to screen XP . The first matter I did was revisit a simple-minded Photoshop benchmark I used in my write - up of the original XP on Mac solution , the OnMac project . I applied a complex Photoshop liquefy mesh filter to the same prototype on a few unlike machines , include an OS X Intel Mac campaign Photoshop under Rosetta and one reboot into Windows XP , running Photoshop natively . I re - campaign the same test , this fourth dimension using the version of XP running under Parallels Workstation :
Testing by Rob Griffiths , very unofficial !
equate the Mini XP Native and Mini XP Parallels entries , and you ’ll see that the Parallels version is about 20 percent slower ( but still mile ahead of Rosetta ) . That ’s not forged at all , give the constraints of scat within another operating organization , and having less Aries available than it did when operate natively .
But the real proof is in the actual usage , and there ’s not really any way to identify it other than “ more than fast enough . ” I unfold the same 74 - page Word written document that I used for early tests , and scrolling was lightning fast ; I was n’t able to see any lag between my typewriting and the screen display . Applications launch quickly , window resize and move without delay , etc . In brusque , it ’s basically just like using XP natively — with some exceptions which I ’ll get to shortly .
To give you a sense for its speed , I set up my video camera and justrecorded a couple minutes ’ Charles Frederick Worth of routine tasks — working in a large word of honor document and open a few internet site . At the end , I switch the virtual machine ’s resolve to couple my proctor ’s aboriginal resolution and go into Full Screen mode ( Modern in beta 4 ) , just to show how complete the experience is . As you may ( hopefully ) secernate , XP on Parallels Workstation is enough tight — and keep in mind I ’m using one of the tedious Macs possible for this mental testing . Performance on the iMac and MacBook Pro will be good even that what you see here .
What doesn’t work?
XP runs , as do most of the “ normal ” government agency applications one might call for . So what does n’t forge ? At this detail , if you require to play serious games , PW is probably not the answer you ’ll desire to use . I found and ranan OpenGL benchmarkon both my native XP box and the PW version . The answer were n’t pretty — the PW version was literally 1/100th the speed of the native car . That said , DirectX and OpenGL both work , so you may at least run apps that take them . Just stick around away from the game — and videodisc picture show , as those do n’t presently play , either .
The other big missing factor decent now is hardware support . All the basics are there , including reenforcement for mouse , keyboard , networking and some printers . But that ’s about it — you ca n’t apply art tablet , USB sound recording gimmick , or other such hardware . For multitude who do n’t need XP for anything beyond test WWW site or act in office productivity apps , this wo n’t be much of a problem . If you do need external devices ( or high - speed 3 - five hundred graphics ) , you ’ll want to use the Boot Camp solvent . The two are not mutually undivided , of course . Note that if you want to use the same copy of XP that you ’re using for Boot Camp , you ’ll necessitate to contact Microsoft via the telephone ( a number will be leave when you attempt to trigger the 2d copy ) . Based on others ’ experiences ( I have n’t tried this myself ) , if you explain that you ’re putting the software on the same motorcar , in a virtual session , they ’ll activate it for you .
Sharing files with the Mac launch the VM also is n’t as simple as it could be . There ’s no “ local folder ” option as there are in other emulators , so you ’ll have to create a small connection and then mount the shares over the electronic connection .
Overall , even with the occasional quibble , I find XP on PW to be a very viable answer for anyone who needs “ typical use ” access to Windows . With Parallels Workstation , Windows is no longer an emulate surround that you put up with it because you need to get the Book of Job done . you may do what you need to do in Windows , without worrying about the time involve in rebooting twice . Even better , when you ’re done , you may either will Parallels run , or “ suspend ” your practical automobile . A suspend machine can be reactivated in seconds , and the suspended DoS is remembered even if you quit Parallels .
Other operating systems
So much for the bit “ let ’s see how it plow XP ” stuff . The other really telling thing you may do with Parallels Workstation is to tend any number of different operating system . you may take between Windows , Linux , FreeBSD , OS/2 , Solaris , MS - DOS , and “ other ” as pre - define types . Within each of these type , there are multiple versions — Linux , for instance , includes Red Hat , Debian , Fedora Core , SUSE , Mandriva , and then three different “ generic ” Unixes . If you have a need ( or desire ) to use another operating system , Parallels Workstation take in it simpler than its ever been .
To instal a new operating system , employ Parallels Workstation ’s wizard to choose the options that best match the O you ’re installing . Tweak the Memory place setting as necessary , insert the operating system ’s installation disk , and snap Play . Walk through the installer , and you ’re done — just like that , you ’ll have another OS on your machine , ready for your exercise . And you do n’t call for to have a physical certificate of deposit or DVD , either — Parallels can install off of a disk image as easily as it can a real certificate of deposit .
Linux
Since Linux distributions can be downloaded for free , I thought I ’d test PW out and see how far I could get . Keep in mind that I have about zero experience install Linux — I once install Red Hat Linux at a prior job , and I recall it being the spoilt six days of my IT life sentence . OK , perchance it just seemed like six days , but you get the melodic theme . Linux is not my strong lawsuit .
Nonetheless , I downloaded Fedora Core 5 and Debian Linux , and hauled out my old Windows 2000 system disk , and have to work … or was it play ? If you ’ve never install Linux before , the unconscious process has sure as shooting become easier since the last time I tried it . In many ways , both Debian and Fedora Core were as light to install as OS X. Both Debian and Fedora Core ask you a series of question , and ground on how you reply , they choose which program to install , create your user ’s workspace , and configure the bind twist .
After installation , Debian Linux booted up just all right , but the screen resolving power was limited to only 640 - by-480 or 800 - by-600 . After some frustrative endeavor at sterilise the issue , I posted for assistance on Parallels ’ forums . The solution , which mostly worked , read a key difference between Linux and OS X — things can be a bit more complex in Linux ! Here ’s a stab of Debian track down the GIMP subject - source image editing program . ( sign copy of my abstract chef-d’oeuvre “ Colored Lines ” will be available after . ) tick on the ikon ( and most of the rest that follow ) for a full - sized master copy :
When I hear to bring up Fedora Core , though , I had no success — the virtual car kernel panic shortly after it started to stretch . Again , the Parallels forum came to the deliverance . It turn out that , at least in the beta 3 I was using at the time , Fedora Core wo n’t reboot if you allocate more than 516 MB to its practical auto . Once I fell the Aries the Ram down to that stage , it worked dead . This may have been corrected in beta 4 , though I have n’t bothered to essay booting it with a higher tup apportioning yet . Here ’s a guesswork of a complex Word document clear in Open Office 2.0 :
One affair to keep in mind with any non - Windows installment in Parallels — there is no Parallels Tools package useable for non - Windows OSes . So you do n’t get clipboard synchronizing and other niceties , and your mouse will be a scrap jumpy . Also , without Parallels Tools , your black eye go in a “ captive ” mode — the virtual machine will own it , not let it get away until you hold Control and Option . With the Tools put in on XP , your black eye can drift anywhere onscreen . This is a morsel of an annoying , but not a major issue .
With both Linuxes ( Linuces ? Linusi ? ) , I tested basic functionality — Web browse , office app , and connection . I was able to connect to my G5 ’s shared drive and copy documents in both directions . Everything pretty much play as I expected , and with just upper , too . After using both for only a few hour , if you told me I had to find fault one or the other and I could n’t use OS X any longer , I think I ’d clean Fedora Core — it just felt more polished and accessible than did Debian .
So with only a couple minor issues , I now had two Linux distributions and Windows XP take to the woods in their own virtual machines . What next ? How about another version of Windows ?
Windows 2000
To me , this was the first “ usable ” version of Windows ( though some would indicate we ’re still not there with XP ) . I have n’t installed it in years , but I still had my CD , forget in the depths of my assorted tech bit and pieces . ( “ See , honey , Itold youI’d use this again someday ! ” ) installment was tight , quick than XP ( as is type O 9 over OS X , I know ) , and it worked just finely after the practical machine bring up . ( You ’ll want to instal the Parallels Tools here , too . ) Of naturally , there were quite a few update to install to make it current , but this too went off without a hitch .
Testing with Windows 2000 break that everything here worked as expected — and reminded me that I still prefer Windows 2000 to XP . ( The first thing I do to any XP car I have to work on is to revert the theme back to the Windows 2000 looking . )
Multi ( OS ) task
Now my Mac mini had five — weigh ‘ em , five — operating systems establish and functional : OS X , Windows XP and 2000 , Debian Linux , and Fedora Core Linux . I in reality tried to install Solaris , too , but that failed . The install work ( slow , it take well over an hour ) , but then I could n’t get Solaris to start . This may have been more my fault than that of Solaris or Parallels Workstation , given my full want of cognition of anything to do with Solaris . So what to do with five Os then ? What else than to try running them all at once !
My first attempt was mostly successful , as you may see :
That ’s a shot of three Parallels Workstation virtual machine run — Windows XP , Fedora Core , and Debian . I configured the two Linux VMs to each run in 256 MB of Aries the Ram , and the XP VM was leave 384 MB . This setup worked quite well , and all three OSes were very usable . Granted , I was n’t then accent the CPU on top of this by doing something like fly the coop four dissimilar compilers simultaneously — that might have been pushing my luck !
This ability to endure multiple bone is the lawful power of virtualization technology over something like Boot Camp . Such a setup might be useful for an IT professional who needs to stomach multiple operating systems . Or for a software developer looking to test their programme on multiple OSes . It will , of course of instruction , also appeal to the die - hard tech hobbyist , who will do it only “ because it can be done . ” Given more RAM , which is n’t potential in the miniskirt , you could probably get six to ten VMs move at once , if you so desired .
The mode Parallels follow through multiple - at - once VMs is a bit unequalled . With a given VM opened , you select File - > New Window , which does n’t in reality do what you might think . Instead of spread an factual window , it launches another copy of the Parallels Workstation software . So you ca n’t merely toggle between VMs using OS X ’s “ next windowpane ” ( Command- ` ) command ; you must employ Command - Tab or the Dock to switch to each instance of the PW covering . The only problem with this is that each case has an selfsame name , making it hard to figure out which VM you require to activate , as you could seein this motion-picture show .
Now let ’s see … where did I leave that Fedora Core VM … was it the 2nd one ? The first ? Hmmm . Ideally , each VM machine would utilize the active VM as its name , but I ’m not sure that ’s technically possible . So the literal solution here is … switch between VMs using Exposé . Then you’re able to just pussyfoot over each windowpane , and you ’ll see not only the name of the app , but the name of the window , making it round-eyed to distinguish which car you like to activate .
go for broke
With four os ( counting OS X ) up and running , I decide to add in the last VM , Windows 2000 . The first time I did so , however , I paid the price — the machine ( the mini ) gist panic . I made several more attempts , always with the two Linuxes running , and had nothing but military issue . If the machine did n’t scare , it would restart . Or Parallels Workstation would lay off . Or one of the VMs would crash . So it seems I did succeed in “ going for broke”—it was emphatically broke !
But after much trial and erroneousness ( and error and erroneousness and … ) , I got it work . In the end , I injure up reversing the VM load fiat by booting both Windows versions first , then lend in the Linux systems . So here , courtesy of Exposé , are all four VMs running at once on the Core Duo mini :
Four VMs plus OS X , and all were usable and stable ( once I had them all running ) , on what is the second - cheapest computer that Apple presently trade . Fairly amazing . Even more telling is the fact that the VMs continue to operate in the background — switching from one to the other does n’t hesitate that VM until its reactivate . The Linux system , for instance , were both showing screensavers while I was working in the XP VM . Despite all of that , the frontmost VM , even if that “ VM ” was OS X itself , was always reactive to clicks , and I did n’t notice any drop part when typing , or other vexatious retardation . I ca n’t wait to see what will be potential on the high-pitched - end Macs when they ’re released this fall .
Conclusion
I hope I ’ve given you a good sensory faculty of the possibilities that Parallels Workstation offers . It ’s not presently something I would roll out on product machine , given the occasional kernel panic and crashes I ’ve experience . The good news is that each successive beta has pay back notably better , and offered more features — full covert and dual monitor support in genus Beta 4 , for instance . When Parallels Workstation drop dead beta , I ’m sure-footed that it will be a unchanging production , though there may always be a minor probability for a clank when you ’re doing something as complex as this .
For now , though , it lets me check entanglement site in XP and Linux , and open up the occasional Windows - only single file I receive , all without leaving the comfort of my favored OS X environment . Boot Camp still gets used when I call for full hardware support and/or accelerated computer graphic , but for everything else , I ’ve launch Parallels Workstation to be an first-class root .
