News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

October 1, 2006

software

Parallels Update RC2 removes memory restrictions

Posted Oct. 1, ’06, 12:16 PM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Software

Parallels I’ve been carefully watching Parallel’s progress with making their virtualization product because I’ve been thinking about getting it. Boot Camp is a fine solution for games but sometimes I want to try something quick with Windows and clearly Parallels is a much better solution for that. If they ever get hardware accelerated graphics working, then it might even be a great solution for games.

Lately, reports of its compatibility with the Mac Pro have been less than stellar and even required RAM to be disabled. The recently released RC2 changes that. It touts full compatibility with all current Macs with any amount of RAM. I think I’ll let it simmer a little bit and go to final release before I buy it.

I just hope that Rob Griffiths is right that Microsoft won’t balk at installing Windows a second time into Parallels (as I’ve already got a working Boot Camp install that I plan on keeping). Any of you go through that phone call?

[Thanks Gabe]


4 Comments

Collin Allen said:

When you install Windows a second time, simply wait a few days before calling to activate your software. When they ask "Is this the first time you're activating this software?", tell them no and that you got stuck with a virus and had to re-install Windows. The rep will generate a new confirmation ID for you and all will be good. Microsoft is unbelievably lax about OK-ing installation IDs (to the point where it makes you wonder why they even bother with the activation crap in the first place).

October 1, 2006 12:36 PM
Webb Chiles said:

I found no need to resort to subterfuge. I
installed windows in Boot Camp one day and Parallels the next. When I called Microsoft for the second install, I told the phone representative exactly what I was doing. She asked me to confirm that both installs of Windows were on the same machine. When I did, she gave me a second activation key. No problem.

October 1, 2006 1:06 PM
zedwards said:

I would even go so far as to say, that it may be possible to activate without calling at least three times. I have reinstalled windows numerous times and called maybe three times.

October 1, 2006 4:21 PM
James said:

Take a listen to Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte's Security Now, they have an entire episode dedicated to Parallels (Episode 59). http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm

Overview of their feedback - Parallels is as fast as Boot Camp, Parallels on the PC is faster than VMWare and Microsoft Virtual PC.

This is good news for Mac users!

October 2, 2006 3:55 PM

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