RSSParallels to Offer Major Virtualization Update
By Ed Oswald | Published December 1, 2006, 1:25 PM
Parallels has released to beta testers a glimpse of the next version of its Mac OS virtualization software. Among the changes are a redesigned user interface, and tighter integration with Boot Camp.
For the first time, Parallels would be able to use a Boot Camp partition with a copy of Windows XP installed as a virtual hard disk drive. This would negate the need for the user to restart his or her computer to access the Windows partition.
With the current implementation of Boot Camp, the computer must be restarted and the operating system selected at that time. Only one operating system can be run at any time, although Apple is rumored to be building virtualization into the next version of Mac OS X, code named "Leopard."
Other enhancements focus on changes to the user interface. The main Parallels desktop window can now be resized, and the Windows screen resolution would automatically adjust to compensate for the change. Another feature, called "coherency" would display Windows apps as if they were Macintosh ones.
Drag-and-drop functionality has also been built into the application, allowing the user to drag files between the two operating systems. This is aimed at limiting the need to switch between the two platforms.
Among the other enhancements: support for more than one virtual machine; improved graphics and USB support; networking enhancements and bug fixes; and an application called "Transporter," which assists in the migration of VMs from other providers.
The new release be provided as a free update from the current version of the Parallels software.
One of the reasons that stopped me from getting an Apple was that sharing files between partitions was going to be a pain. MacOSX can read NTFS but not write it. And Windows Can't read or write the Mac partition. But with this, I can drag the files in and out to be able to use them in either OS.
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|From the testing I've seen so far, Parallels is good only up to a certain point. If you want to use Direct X, then Boot Camp is the ideal choice.
I'm willing to test their new version and see how good it is.
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|I'd be willing to bet that this is exactly what they are working towards. Direct, full virtualization of the Mac hardware (allowing DX in XP at ative speeds), as opposed to the emulation of generic "Good enough to run windows" hardware.
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|This really sounds great - and I would use Parallels on Windows EXCEPT FOR ONE REASON: They don't have snapshot capability. Until they have the capability to take a 'snapshot' of a virtual machine, I am going to have to stick with something else that does, like VMware or Virtual PC. But they are making tracks in the right direction - as soon as they do have snapshot capability I will be buying Parallels.
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|For your information, Parallels Workstation for Windows does have a snapshot feature.
Go to Console Screenshot in the VM menu on the menubar. This will take an instant
screengrab of the current running VM in bmp format. You can then open it up in the
image editor of your choice to edit the image, and save it in any image format.
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|By 'Snapshot', he means a preserved 'frozen' state of the Operating System at that moment, not a screen grab.
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|I don't think he's talking about a picture. He means a copy of the virtual machine in it's state at the time. It's useful for testing stuff...
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|Parallels is not likely to do this as EMC/VMWare has patented that part. Don't get wrong, I like Parallels, I have both Paralells and VMWare.
When coherrency comes to Parallels Linux, it may be the thing to allow me to run XP on my Linux laptop (I don't need VMWare special featuers there.)
What is VMWare good for:
- When you need snapshots, teams, etc.
- When you need multiple ethernet interfaces or disk controllers
What is Parallels good for:
- Faster in many cases
- Smaller footprint
I use VMWare for testing software. That's what it was designed for. It saves me a bundle in the QA dept. Parallels is good for the case where I need to run an OS on a Linux or Windows host.
On a side note, I'd LOVE to get a Macbook Pro and run Parallels, but I need 802.11A networking. (Office uses it.) I've asked Apple and the people at the Apple store, but thus far, I've been told "We're sorry, we can't tell you." I'm not kiddig.
Does anyone actually know if this works since Apple doesn't appear to want me to spend $3000?
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