January 13, 2009 at 13:42Windows OS on Mac OS X. Everyman's Choice.
I’ve been using Mac OS X as the primary system for two years now. It so happened that one Windows program did not find analogues in the legion of poppy software. Having tried different solutions for running Windows XP in Mac OS X during this time, I would like to share my experience with the public.
We will talk about the following emulators / virtual machines:
Everywhere we tested one version of Windows XP (castrated by kind people for speed).
In my daily work, I use Xara Xtreme Pro (vector graphics editor). To expand the functionality of this program, I have to hold AutoHotkey (automatic button press, mouse click, etc.). This bunch has its own nuances (you need the ability to reassign any keyboard shortcuts, both Windows and Mac).
Requirements for the virtualizer (solutions will be evaluated by these criteria):
Speed : it loads and works very smartly (still, native Windows is like nothing).
Glitchlessness : glitches as much as the Windows itself can glitch.
Cooperation : none. According to this, the solution is suitable only for games or special software, which requires a lot of resources and is not suitable for running under virtual machines (for example, 1C or SolidWorks).
Hotkeys : there are no problems, because the Windows works in exclusive mode.
Speed : Good running and starting speed.
Glitchlessness : a very buggy program, even though my editor launches in it, it constantly crashes and spills errors (with many other programs, this was observed, either glitch or does not start at all). The only thing the crossover was very useful for is to play Half-Life and its incarnations (OrangeBox). There were no failures when playing the half game. Used version of Crossover Games. It is possible that in addition to the half, it will fit for other games.
Cooperation : no problem. Programs work in windowed mode, along with poppy software.
Hotkeys : not even tested, due to the impossibility of normal daily work.
Speed : Windows under the virtual box loads surprisingly fast (somewhere about five seconds). Applications work smartly. By processor load, the system is comparable to VMWare.
Glitchlessness : in the latest version, stability appeared when working with software, the old glitches disappeared somewhere :)
Cooperation : there is a separate sandbox mode and display integration (windows mixed with Mac windows).
Hotkeys : AutoHotkey generated several errors on those buttons that worked in other virtual machines without problems, and refused to fart. Also, it was not possible to reassign the standard buttons of the virtual box through the system settings (with any other pop-up program this is done once or twice).
After Innotek’s purchase by SUN, things went uphill at the virtual box. In the future, this is a good program.
Speed : it loads comparable to the native mode. It works fast.
Glitchlessness : In childhood, Fyuzhin had glitches with the network, but they have long been cured. Vmvar works extremely stably, like a Swiss army hammer :)
Cooperation : there is a separate sandbox mode and cooperation with the poppy interface (Unity).
Hotkeys : there is an annoying glitch. In Unity mode, the AutoHotkey program I need does not work. That is, I can only work in one common window. Who does not need AutoHotkey, this is not a hindrance, you can use Unity.
VMWare is our hope and support. The program, besides my Macbook Pro, is also successfully used on the Macbook and Macbook Air (licensed Consultant + lives under it without problems). I recommend to use.
Speed : Loads and runs fast fast.
Glitchlessness : it turned out that Parallels Desktop slows down on the MacBook Air, but I think this is a temporary thing and will be treated soon (or maybe already treated).
Cooperation : oh, this is a song. The system works both in its window and in cooperation with the makosyu (Coherence). And he does it very well. By the way, there is an option - to position the Windows tray in the Mac popup menu (in Coherence mode). This is important because AutuHotkey sits in the tray.
Hotkeys: this is another song. Autohotkey work! Directly against the background of Makovsky prog, any keyboard shortcuts for autohot work. True, Makovsky hotkeys overlap them, but this is treated by reassigning the standard keys for parallel in the makoshi system settings. For example, I use Command-Q and Command-W in Windows.
When I just moved to Makos, the parallel was the third version. It was a brake bug, which could slow down all two cores and hang the system in a crust. I scolded the parallel and did not advise anyone to contact her. However, Parallels Desktop v.4 came out in the fall and this is a completely different product. All my Wishlist have been implemented. I didn’t even have to install the system from scratch, I imported a container from VMWare. So the competition between VMWare and Parallels is only in the hands of users.
In terms of rigidity, Parallels does VMWare several times. If VMWare eats 15-25% of the processor idle, then Parallels eats 2-3%. This allows, in addition to Windows, to run Ubuntu Server and FreeBSD for experiments in parallel.
All the Windows software I need is assembled (mainly in portable versions) and stored in makosi in a specific directory, and is connected to the virtual machine via an internal network share, as a separate volume. This solution makes it easy to change virtual containers and use one set of software on different virtual machines and emulators. A zipped container with Windows installed weighs only 190 megabytes (thanks to the neutered Windows XP distribution).
All working documents are also stored on a network share in makoshi, and in the latest versions of VMWare and Parallels, the Desktop and Documents directories can be made transparent to the virtual machine. That is, we have a single desktop and documents in makoshi and Windows.
Far;
Portable 3ds Max 2008;
Portable Corel Draw X4;
Portable IE7;
Portable MS Office 2003;
Portable Photoshop CS3;
Portable SketchUp 6;
Total Commander;
Xara Xtreme Pro.
Virtual machines (VirtualBox, Parallels, VMWare) coped with it with a bang.
For games : Apple BootCamp or Crossover Games (selectively).
For heavy Windows software : Apple BootCamp.
For daily stable operation : VMWare Fusion.
For comfortable and quick work with the most advanced features : Parallels Desktop (for today - my choice).
The latest version of VirtualBox, directly pleased. This system has every chance to become a leader, because it’s free. I recommend to try.
PS Please do not consider this article an advertisement for a product. I am a simple user and only interested in fast, reliable software, I’m not going to advertise stuff. Good software always praises itself.
UPD : VirtualBox rehabilitated.
We will talk about the following emulators / virtual machines:
- Apple BootCamp
- CodeWeavers Crossover;
- Sun VirtualBox
- VMware Fusion
- Parallels Desktop.
Everywhere we tested one version of Windows XP (castrated by kind people for speed).
In my daily work, I use Xara Xtreme Pro (vector graphics editor). To expand the functionality of this program, I have to hold AutoHotkey (automatic button press, mouse click, etc.). This bunch has its own nuances (you need the ability to reassign any keyboard shortcuts, both Windows and Mac).
Requirements for the virtualizer (solutions will be evaluated by these criteria):
- Startup and operation speed;
- Buglessness;
- Convenient work immediately in Windows and Makosi (cooperation);
- Ability to reassign any hot keys.
Apple bootcamp
Speed : it loads and works very smartly (still, native Windows is like nothing).
Glitchlessness : glitches as much as the Windows itself can glitch.
Cooperation : none. According to this, the solution is suitable only for games or special software, which requires a lot of resources and is not suitable for running under virtual machines (for example, 1C or SolidWorks).
Hotkeys : there are no problems, because the Windows works in exclusive mode.
CodeWeavers Crossover
Speed : Good running and starting speed.
Glitchlessness : a very buggy program, even though my editor launches in it, it constantly crashes and spills errors (with many other programs, this was observed, either glitch or does not start at all). The only thing the crossover was very useful for is to play Half-Life and its incarnations (OrangeBox). There were no failures when playing the half game. Used version of Crossover Games. It is possible that in addition to the half, it will fit for other games.
Cooperation : no problem. Programs work in windowed mode, along with poppy software.
Hotkeys : not even tested, due to the impossibility of normal daily work.
Sun virtualbox
Speed : Windows under the virtual box loads surprisingly fast (somewhere about five seconds). Applications work smartly. By processor load, the system is comparable to VMWare.
Glitchlessness : in the latest version, stability appeared when working with software, the old glitches disappeared somewhere :)
Cooperation : there is a separate sandbox mode and display integration (windows mixed with Mac windows).
Hotkeys : AutoHotkey generated several errors on those buttons that worked in other virtual machines without problems, and refused to fart. Also, it was not possible to reassign the standard buttons of the virtual box through the system settings (with any other pop-up program this is done once or twice).
After Innotek’s purchase by SUN, things went uphill at the virtual box. In the future, this is a good program.
VMware Fusion
Speed : it loads comparable to the native mode. It works fast.
Glitchlessness : In childhood, Fyuzhin had glitches with the network, but they have long been cured. Vmvar works extremely stably, like a Swiss army hammer :)
Cooperation : there is a separate sandbox mode and cooperation with the poppy interface (Unity).
Hotkeys : there is an annoying glitch. In Unity mode, the AutoHotkey program I need does not work. That is, I can only work in one common window. Who does not need AutoHotkey, this is not a hindrance, you can use Unity.
VMWare is our hope and support. The program, besides my Macbook Pro, is also successfully used on the Macbook and Macbook Air (licensed Consultant + lives under it without problems). I recommend to use.
Parallels Desktop
Speed : Loads and runs fast fast.
Glitchlessness : it turned out that Parallels Desktop slows down on the MacBook Air, but I think this is a temporary thing and will be treated soon (or maybe already treated).
Cooperation : oh, this is a song. The system works both in its window and in cooperation with the makosyu (Coherence). And he does it very well. By the way, there is an option - to position the Windows tray in the Mac popup menu (in Coherence mode). This is important because AutuHotkey sits in the tray.
Hotkeys: this is another song. Autohotkey work! Directly against the background of Makovsky prog, any keyboard shortcuts for autohot work. True, Makovsky hotkeys overlap them, but this is treated by reassigning the standard keys for parallel in the makoshi system settings. For example, I use Command-Q and Command-W in Windows.
Two competitors
When I just moved to Makos, the parallel was the third version. It was a brake bug, which could slow down all two cores and hang the system in a crust. I scolded the parallel and did not advise anyone to contact her. However, Parallels Desktop v.4 came out in the fall and this is a completely different product. All my Wishlist have been implemented. I didn’t even have to install the system from scratch, I imported a container from VMWare. So the competition between VMWare and Parallels is only in the hands of users.
In terms of rigidity, Parallels does VMWare several times. If VMWare eats 15-25% of the processor idle, then Parallels eats 2-3%. This allows, in addition to Windows, to run Ubuntu Server and FreeBSD for experiments in parallel.
Organization of software and work files
All the Windows software I need is assembled (mainly in portable versions) and stored in makosi in a specific directory, and is connected to the virtual machine via an internal network share, as a separate volume. This solution makes it easy to change virtual containers and use one set of software on different virtual machines and emulators. A zipped container with Windows installed weighs only 190 megabytes (thanks to the neutered Windows XP distribution).
All working documents are also stored on a network share in makoshi, and in the latest versions of VMWare and Parallels, the Desktop and Documents directories can be made transparent to the virtual machine. That is, we have a single desktop and documents in makoshi and Windows.
List of tested win32 software
Far;
Portable 3ds Max 2008;
Portable Corel Draw X4;
Portable IE7;
Portable MS Office 2003;
Portable Photoshop CS3;
Portable SketchUp 6;
Total Commander;
Xara Xtreme Pro.
Virtual machines (VirtualBox, Parallels, VMWare) coped with it with a bang.
Total
For games : Apple BootCamp or Crossover Games (selectively).
For heavy Windows software : Apple BootCamp.
For daily stable operation : VMWare Fusion.
For comfortable and quick work with the most advanced features : Parallels Desktop (for today - my choice).
The latest version of VirtualBox, directly pleased. This system has every chance to become a leader, because it’s free. I recommend to try.
PS Please do not consider this article an advertisement for a product. I am a simple user and only interested in fast, reliable software, I’m not going to advertise stuff. Good software always praises itself.
UPD : VirtualBox rehabilitated.