![]() ![]() The first set of tests was focused on time to complete one step tasks in Microsoft Office 2007, Internet Explorer, and file/network i/o. There are three kinds of tests that we ran: one step tasks, multi-step task tests, and quantitative benchmarks. And, the Mac Pro was a 4GB RAM machine, running a Quad Core configuration with two 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors. The MacBook Pro was a 4GB RAM machine, running a 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo processor. The MacBook was a 2GB RAM machine, running a 1.83 GHz Core Duo processor. We chose three Mac models to compare alongside a name brand PC: a MacBook, a MacBook Pro, and a Mac Pro. The baseline PC we used was a brand new Fujitsu Lifebook A6025, with an Intel Core Duo running at 1.86 GHz, 1GB RAM, running Windows XP SP2. Similarly, we had a greater focus on XP simply because it's more prevalent at this point, but we did want to get an understanding of how Vista performed as well. Certainly, the faster models of these computers will perform even better. When we were choosing computer models, we set out to choose not the fastest, latest models, but ones that would be a good representation of what most people may have. Both of these versions should give a good overall baseline of comparison even with both having released new versions. We tested VMware Fusion 1.0 (51348) and Parallels 3.0 (5160), and opted not to upgrade mid-way through the test suite. In fact, during the course of implementing these tests, both VMware and Parallels came out with newer versions. Sounds simple enough, but when you start to realize that there were 19 configurations of systems and a whole suite of tests that had to be run multiple times to make sure that we had good test values, there were over 2500 tests to be completed. The goal was to see how Boot Camp, VMware Fusion, and Parallels performed on different levels of Mac hardware, covering both Windows XP and Vista, and comparing that to a baseline PC running Windows. To tackle this problem, MacTech undertook a huge benchmarking project starting in September. So, which solution do you go with? Does virtualization work well? Which virtualization product is faster? Should I run XP or Vista? In short, there are different answers for different people. In our case, we're talking about the ability to run Windows on a Mac at the same time that you are running Mac OS X. In general, it refers to the abstraction of computer resources. Virtualization technology has been around since the 1960s. That said, you probably bought a Mac to run Mac OS X a good chunk of time, and that's where virtualization comes in. ![]() As we've seen from some of the recent reports, a Mac can run Windows faster than a native PC machine, and it's a nice solution. Here, Mac OS X is nowhere to be seen, and if you want to switch back and forth, you have to reboot the machine. If you are like most, you are looking to understand the differences between Apple's Boot Camp, VMware Fusion, and Parallels Desktop.īoot Camp, as you probably know, allows you to run Windows natively on your Intel Mac. Part of the reason many people own an Intel-based Mac is because of the possibility of running Windows. Educational Institution and Student DiscountsĬolumn Tag: MacTech Labs Virtualization Benchmarking How do Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, and VMware Fusion stack up?īy Neil Ticktin, Editor-in-Chief Virtualization. ![]()
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