VMware Fusion4 vs Parallels7 Review

VMware Fusion 4 vs Parallels 7After more than 20 years using PCs, I’ve purchased my first Mac. And I loved it for the first week, then I needed to do some real work. Thank goodness you can now run Windows on a Mac.

While there are many choices, some of which are free, as a hard core ICT dabbler I only considered the really serious options from commercial vendors. They are: 

  • VMware Fusion 4
  • Parallels 7
Why would anyone want to run Windows on a Mac? Well that will be blog post all in itself, suffice it to say that when I purchased may MacBook Air I was expecting the same experience I had with the iPhone…..I’ve been seriously underwhelmed.

So began two weeks of research and testing to pick the best Mac Virtualisation platform for me. It didn’t take long to identify the two key contenders were Fusion4 and Parallels7 and my timing was perfect with new versions of both products just released. Overall verdict:

  • VMware Fusion 4 wins for me  (based on cost, cross-platform support & reliability)
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MacBook Air 11″ Review

MacBook Air 11"

Time for a new laptop but what to buy?

It is amazing how far technology has come. Only a few short years ago personal laptops were almost luxury items and now very capable machines can be had for just over $500.

Why bother with a NetBook when you can get an UltraBook for a few dollars more and then do just about everything that once tied you to your desk or study PC. I kid you not!

But with so many choices how do you narrow the field…

I started by looking at my needs and goals (other than just wanting a new toy). The new device had to be:

  • Small & Light – My work laptop is huge and heavy
  • Cool – Most laptops burn your legs if not used on a stable table
  • Laptop – Literally! Intended work place, in front of TV
  • Capable – Netbooks just don’t cut it
  • Cheap – A web browser shouldn’t cost you $2000

Bring on the MacBook Air 11″. What a marvel of engineering. Just like the iPhone4, the Engineer in me appreciates this technical and aesthetic masterpiece from Apple.

I chose as follows:

  • Core i5 – Coolest, but I dilemma over the i7 for ages (happy which choice)
  • 11″ Screen – Doesn’t obscure view of TV while sitting (perfect)
  • 4Gb RAM – Max possible (not enough these days!)
  • 128Gb Disk – Not enough and always 90% full (most cost effective option)

Read on for the detailed review.

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