[Imperial]

Anybody using this?
Will it really run Windows 2000/XP/Vista as if it was running on a normal Windows computer?
No problems one need to be aware of?

Imperial

[Tyrro]

I'm using it for well over 2 years without any problems.
Just make sure you make regular backups of your virtual drive in case something happens.
I'm running Win XP, Vista and Linux on the same machine. No problems so far.
I'd also recommend to try Fusion as well. Some say it's a more stable/reliable application, but Parallels has far more features which I prefer.
If you have any specific concerns -- please tell.

[Crimson]

I've been using it for a while for the sole Windows app that has no Mac equivalent (AutoCAD) and it's seamless (and AutoCAD is a resource pig). I also mess around with Ubuntu Studio and Dynebolic with no problems.

Using Parallels, I've never had to use Bootcamp.

[peranders]

I started in dec 2006 with Parallels Desktop + Vista on my Mac. Vista has run smoothly ever since and at a decent speed also. My Mac is a 24" iMac.

If you use parallels you will Vista in a virtual machine which is a PC with certain functions which is:

Memory
Floppy disk
Hard disk
CD/DVD
Network adapter
Sound
USB (not FW at the moment)

If you want to use more of the hardware you must boot with Vista using Boot camp but then you can't run OSX at the same time.

[Imperial]

Thanx!
I've settled on a Imac "20 with a 2.4Ghz dual core and 4Gigs of ram, 320HD and so on..
Let's see how this works out! Getting it in a few weeks now. 
Right, finally a mac user!! Woho!!

Imperial

[peranders]

Welcome to a new world 

[Levi]

I have parallels installed in my MacBook Pro.  I like it.  It is convenient running Windows XP on the fly.  However, I found that using boot camp then boot into XP much faster.  Like any virtual machine, make sure you have lots of RAM.

-Levi

[peranders]

Just to inform, I'm using Parallels Desktop version 5. A great improvement since version 3.

[skunark]

I've punted on both Parallels and VMware for Virtualbox since it's opensource, not sure of the performance but it does the job nicely and I can script it up to start without a user logging in.