Comparing Technologies:
Parallels Desktop® 7 for Mac vs VMware Fusion®
Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac is the #1 choice of customers worldwide.*
Tests have proven Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac to be heads and shoulders above the competition.**
- Parallels Desktop 7 boots Windows faster than Fusion
- Parallels Desktop 7 scores better on 3D graphics
- Parallels Desktop 7 works with files on a USB drive faster than Fusion
- Parallels Desktop 7 works with files on a network faster than Fusion
- Parallels Desktop 7 works with shared folders faster than Fusion
- Parallels Desktop 7 supports 7.1 surround sound and Fusion doesn’t
- Parallels Desktop 7 supports up to 1GB of video memory and Fusion doesn’t
- Parallels Desktop 7 extends Mac OSX parental controls to Windows, Fusion doesn’t
Tested, Trusted
and Talked About***
Special Offer for VMware Customers
Save $40 on Parallels Desktop (Just enter your Fusion license key below to validate your ownership)
Seamless. Intuitive. Fast
- New! Use Windows applications faster with a reduction in startup times & improved file access speeds
- New! Enhanced 3D graphics that are 40% better than previous versions
- New! Remotely access all of your Mac & Windows applications on your iPad or iPhone through Parallels Mobile app
- Enhanced! Easily share your iSight or FaceTime HD camera between Mac and Windows applications
- Enhanced! Faster graphical user interface built on 64-bit technology
- Enhanced! Immerse yourself in games, music and videos with 7.1 Sound Support
- Enhanced! Experience improved 3D graphics (up to 1GB VRAM)
From an investment point of view, I see that Parallels has always been in the forefront in getting new features out into the market much faster than VMware. Also, Parallels Desktop for Mac is perhaps one of the key products of Parallels, so I'm sure a lot of investment dollars goes into the R&D of the product as well. Atpeaz.com
Parallels Desktop® 7 for Mac vs VMware Fusion®
With more than 90 new and improved features, it’s never been simpler to run windows applications on your Mac.
Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac scores big with additions and enhancements that cover everything from faster 3D graphics to making Windows feel like it was made for Mac with Lion Full Screen, Launchpad and Mission Control integration.
Special Offer for VMware Customers
Save $40 on Parallels Desktop (Just enter your Fusion license key below to validate your ownership)
| Features | Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac | VMware Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Windows View Mode | Coherence | Unity |
| Use Lion Launchpad with Windows applications | ||
| Full Screen support for Windows applications | ||
| Maximum video memory in virtual machines | Up to 1GB | 288MB |
| Features | Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac | VMware Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| Use Lion Launchpad with Windows applications | ||
| Share iSight & other cameras between Windows and Mac apps | ||
| Windows Start Menu in Dock | ||
| Enable Apple gestures to work with Windows applications | ||
| Enable Apple Remote to work with Windows applications | ||
| Copy/Paste text and graphics between Windows / Mac |
| Features | Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac | VMware Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| Secure your virtual machine with encryption using AES algorithm | ||
| Mac OS Parental Controls applied to the virtual machine | ||
| Snapshot Support | ||
| Support for external surround sound 7.1 USB | ||
| Work with Mac and VM remotely from iPhone/iPad | Yes, with Parallels Mobile App |
| Support | Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac | VMware Fusion |
|---|---|---|
| E-mail support | $9.95 | $29.99 |
| Phone support | $19.95 | $29.99 |
| Chat support | $14.95 | |
| Complimentary Chat & Phone Support | 30 days after activation |
NEW and Cool Feature of Parallels Desktop 7
Parallels Mobile (for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch)
Enjoy full access and control of your Mac and Windows applications from wherever you are with our iPhone/iPad app. Parallels Mobile gives you control both your Mac and PC while you’re on the go, and you can copy and paste between applications and hear audio while watching Flash video.Mac OS X 10.7 Lion support
Use Lion features like Launchpad and Mission Control with Windows applications. Even run Lion as a guest operating system when you have Lion as a host.7.1 Surround Sound Support
Immerse yourself in your favorite games, videos, and music with rich surround sound.Up to 1GB video memory
Run graphically intensive programs with unmatched visual fidelity and performance.
Parallels Wizard
We simplify moving to Mac by automatically moving your programs, data and media (My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, My Videos, My Downloads, Desktop) to the appropriate folders on your Mac. You can even purchase, download and install Windows right from the Parallels Wizard.All new Apple style standard help and documentation
We’ve reworked all of our help and documentation so that it meets Apple style standards, making it even easier for you to find what you’re looking for.Full 64-bit graphical user interface
Take advantage of all of the capabilities of your 64-bit Mac and enjoy our fastest virtual machine performance yet.Shared webcams
Use your iSight or FaceTime HD camera with your Windows applications.
Reviews & Awards
Parallels Desktop for Mac — Most Tested, Trusted and Talked About!
Parallels Desktop is consistently ranked as the world’s #1 virtualization software — its award winning history is second to none! See what others have to say.
Head-to-Head: How do VMware Fusion 4 and Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac compare?
When we look at the "big picture" of all the top-level test results, Parallels is the clear winner. If you count up the general tests (including the top 3D graphics scores), Parallels won 60% of the tests by 10% or more. And, if you include all the tests where Parallels was at least 5% faster, as well as the balance of the 3DMark06 graphics tests, Parallels increased the lead further.
Parallels Takes the Virtualization Crown
A superior mobile client and mass deployment support make Parallels Desktop 7 a winner for Mac-based virtualization.
As frosting on the cupcake, the Parallels Mobile client is far ahead of anything that VMware offers for mobile devices. Advantage: Parallels.
Bloomberg: Mac, PC Finally Friends in Parallels Universe: Rich Jaroslovsky
Parallels Desktop 7, the latest version of Parallels Inc.’s Windows-in-a-Mac software, successfully navigated my little torture test with nary a hiccup. There’s no better solution for Mac users who want Windows compatibility...
Wall Street Journal:Walt Mossberg
In my tests, this latest Parallels edition ran Windows quickly and smoothly, and integrated well with some of Lion’s new features, even though my test Mac isn’t the fastest Apple laptop available today...
All Windows 7 programs I tested launched and ran quickly and smoothly, and the fancy visual effects in Windows 7, such as mini-previews for icons in the taskbar, worked great...
ZDNet: Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac released
The speed of the new Parallels version running Windows 7 in a virtual machine was impressive, as Windows programs running on the Mac desktop (Coherence mode) were as fast as native Mac programs.
GearLive: Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac available September 6
On the performance end of things, Parallels Desktop 7 is 60 percent faster than the previous version for resuming Windows, and 45 percent faster for 3D graphics. Also new is improved 5.1 surround sound, and support for 7.1 surround as well.
TUAW: Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac: Faster, new features, better mobility
Parallels 7 has just been announced. The latest iteration of Parallels, the virtualization environment that currently has about 75% of the total market share for VM software, ships with more than 90 new and enhanced features.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I upgrade to Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac?
- What is the Tech Guarantee? Am I eligible for a free upgrade?
- How do I activate Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac?
- How do I register Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac? How is registration different than activation and why do I need to do both?
- What is the Parallels Product ID?
- What is the Parallels Convenience Store?
- Where can I find detailed information about the new Parallels Mobile app?
- Where can I find more information about Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac features?
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How do I upgrade to Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac?
Please follow these steps to make your upgrade as safe as possible.
If you are upgrading from Parallels Desktop 5 or 6 all that you need is to purchase an upgrade license via our online store or another authorized retailer, then download the Parallels Desktop 7 installation package here and then start the installation. Your previous version of Parallels Desktop will be replaced automatically. After the installation is complete, you can start your virtual machine(s) and they will be automatically upgraded to run with Parallels Desktop 7.
If you are upgrading from Parallels Desktop 4 or an earlier version you will need to purchase a full copy of Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac. Please refer to this article for details: http://kb.parallels.com/en/111886.
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What is the Tech Guarantee? Am I eligible for a free upgrade?
To learn about the Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac Tech Guarantee and the free upgrade eligibility requirements please click here: http://www.parallels.com/keyfor7.
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How do I activate Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac?
New customers: You can activate Parallels Desktop 7 during installation. If you choose to activate after installation, go to the Parallels Desktop menu and select "Activate Product".
Enter your name and the other requested information plus your activation key for Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac in the activation form and click 'OK'.Upgrade customers:
Parallels Desktop 5 and 6 for Mac customers:
If the Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac Upgrade installation does not automatically detect the previous version key, enter your activation key for your previous version of Parallels Desktop (either version 5 or 6) in the pop-up window and press 'OK'.To find your previous version key refer to this article.
Parallels Desktop 4 for Mac or previous versions Owners:
If you have Parallels Desktop 4 for Mac or an earlier version installed, please check the following Knowledge Base article for additional instructions: http://kb.parallels.com/111886. -
How do I register Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac? How is registration different than activation and why do I need to do both?
Parallels Desktop for Mac activation is a license validation procedure.
Registration is a process of registering your activation key with Parallels. Registration allows one to:- Stay Current - all registered customers can enable automated updates and have most up-to-date software installed.
- Safe - your activation key will be stored under your personal account and could be located at any time if required.
- Save - registered Parallels Desktop customers are always aware of any discounts or promotions held by Parallels.
- Support - register your purchased copy and get Technical Support for free (For the first month you get free phone/chat support, as well as free email support for 18 months after the version 7 release.)
- Bonus Software – all registered customers can get complimentary 90 day subscription for Antivirus software for Mac and Windows, as well as Online Back from Acronis.
Option A: Register via the Parallels web site.
Please login to your account at www.parallels.com ("My account" in the upper-right corner). You will first go to "My registered products" and then "Register your activation key."Option B: Register from within your Parallels application.
After product installation, Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac will ask you to register your key. Please enter your activation key and the email address that you used for your account creation at Parallels.com.If you do not have an account at Parallels.com, it will be created automatically after this step, and you will receive a notification of account activation. If you skip this step, you can register at any time by clicking on Parallels Desktop and selecting "Register Product".
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What is the Parallels Product ID?
The Parallels Product ID is created at the moment of activation of Parallels Desktop 7 and contains the information about your Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac activation key. The Parallels Product ID helps to secure your activation key. Therefore, the activation code is no longer needed nor displayed. For details please see this article.
I’d like to use a localized version of Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac. How can I do that?
We have great news for you. You can now have Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac in any available localization.The Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac installation image is multilingual and installs the product in all its supported languages.
The language of the Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac interface can be changed by simply changing the language of the Mac OS X.
Refer to this article for instructions: http://kb.parallels.com/111830.
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What is the Parallels Convenience Store?
The Parallels Convenience Store is a built-in store that allows Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac customers to purchase Windows, Windows Applications and much more right from within Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac. To visit the Convenience Store please go to the Top Parallels Desktop menu bar click on File > Convenience Store. You will now be taken to the Parallels Online Store to purchase the application you need.
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Where can I find detailed information about the new Parallels Mobile app?
Please check the following KB article to learn more about new the Parallels Mobile app http://kb.parallels.com/112043.
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Where can I find more information about Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac features?
Please check the following KB article to learn more about Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac: http://kb.parallels.com/112042.
Works great with Parallels Mobile for iPad and iPhone
** Select tests by Crimson Consulting Group, July 2010.
*** Reviews and awards cited may be for previous versions of Parallels Desktop for Mac.
