Parallels is probably best known for making virtualization software for OS X that enables Mac users to run Windows without rebooting. Unlike VirtualBox and the VMWare Player, Parellels charges $50 for a licensed copy of its Workstation software. But there's a 15 day free trial, so you can try the software out of a while before deciding whether its worth the asking price.
Of course, VirtualBox and VMWare Player are both pretty easy to use and work quite well, which leads us to wonder why anyone would pay for virtualization software for Linux that doesn't appear to offer any advanced features at the moment? We're not morally opposed to companies releasing commercial software for Linux, and we even think it's great that you can find commercial software using the add/remove applications window. But if you're going to charge for an application designed to run on Linux, you should really make sure it offers some benefits that you can't already get from free and open source software.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-11-2008 @ 2:32PM
david said...
here is nice paralles installation guide http://www.ubuntugeek.com/how-to-setup-parallels-virtualization-software-in-ubuntu.html
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2-11-2008 @ 2:48PM
SteveS said...
"Of course, VirtualBox and VMWare Player are both pretty easy to use and work quite well, which leads us to wonder why anyone would pay for virtualization software for Linux..."
Uhh sorry to break the news but VMWare Player is just that, a "player" meaning you cannot create a virtual machine, on "play" one. To create one you need the un-free VMware Workstation or Server software.
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2-12-2008 @ 8:15AM
whiskey said...
There is Vmware Server which is free and only requires from you a key (and to do that just go to the site and ask for it, they can give you up to a 100).
2-12-2008 @ 12:13AM
Ivan said...
@SteveS
Actually, there is a website (http://www.easyvmx.com/) that creates virtual machines for VMware Player. So VMWare Workstation or Server software is not needed to make a virtual machine.
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2-13-2008 @ 8:16AM
alex dante said...
Virtualbox does lack USB support in the freeware version. And I'm assuming Parallels has a snapshot manager similar to VMWare Workstation (my preferred choice). If so, that's worth the price of admission alone.
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