In my case, the list included anything with a. The resulting list includes any files that Parallels deems to be potentially usable virtual machines. Parallels does an odd thing when it first launches: It scans your drive for other virtual machines, and lists them in its virtual-machine library window. But there are no direct links for downloading and installing virtual machines it’s up to the user to find appropriate sources.
#Parallels vs vmware fusion 8 install
The main screen shows only two options (install from disc image, and import a real PC) a More Options button includes the ability to install from the OS X recovery partition, along with some other options. The Parallels setup screen makes it a snap to create a virtual machine and to download the required software for Windows 8.1 Preview, Chrome OS, and more.įusion can do all of these things, too, but its wizard is less granular. It includes links for downloading and installing the Windows 8.1 preview, Chrome OS, Ubuntu, and Android operating systems, and for using the recovery partition to install OS X. The Parallels Wizard screen lets you use a DVD or image file to install an OS, or (alternatively) migrate from a real PC.
Most users will find this approach a welcome change of pace from the usual complexity of a stand-alone installation program power users, however, may dislike being kept in the dark about what’s really going on.īoth Fusion and Parallels make creating new virtual machines very easy, though finding and/or buying the virtual machines you’d like to create is simpler with Parallels. The only thing users see is an app that asks for their admin password the first time they use it. Both programs use their own in-app installers that put the required bits where they need to go when you run the program.