Reviews for Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac - Standard Edition

I love my Mac for work (and home) but needed to be able to use MS Visio and MS Project for my consulting practice. Tried both Parallels and VMware and found Parallels to be the most bug free and well integrated with the Mac workflow.

Being able to use Windows when needed is good... and being able to use it without rebooting is great! Runs very smooth and no more need for a separate PC.

I only need one or two Windows apps b/c of work (don't ask/get me started!), and Parallels makes this necessary evil painless and almost pleasant. Easy to install, setup, configure, and maintain, Parallels is fast & unobtrusive. While I'd prefer to have no Windows related cruft on my MBAir, Parallels makes it tolerable, and that's pretty darnned good!

I recently switched to MAC due to repeated failures of PC machines. It actually took me four years to make the transition because I was leery about moving everything into a different environment .
WOW!!! The MAC is not only more reliable as a machine, I think it runs Windows better using Parallels 8 than a PC! Being able to easily switch from one format to another makes me wish I had done this a lot sooner. I've even caught myself forgetting which OS I was using!

An easy to use windows operating environment for the iMAC with no messy file changes it just works.... Having looked at several so called recommended systems, the only system that works from the box is Parrallels

I am a Trader using a range of tools to trade FX. currencies - we need to see clear charts fast, some of the suppliers of these charts still only work on windows, I know shame on them..
So I combine my Macbook pro with a large screen (27") and can see a range of charts - helping me continue in my work almost as smoothly as if it was in a Mac OS

Even though you own a valid license for Windows, it is not always transferrable from another machine. I discovered halfway through the process that Widows is licensed to the laptop, not the user and is not transferable. Even if the laptop is ready for the recycler.

You may purchase Windows during the time of the transfer through this product, but it was a big sticker shock. Thank you former Windows laptop. Parallels is very versatile in how you purchase your Windows license. You are not required to go through them, but their price was comparable.

I love the performance of my virtual machines

A short list of virtual machines used for support and testing
>Windows {XP, Vista, 7 & 8}
>Linux {Ubuntu, CentOS}
>Software appliances {JumpBox, BitNami and manual builds}.

Feature wish list for upcoming version(s)
Build VM's on desktop and deploy/manage the VM's to a Parallels Server instance. Either the Mac or Bare Metal versions of Parallels Server.

As a free lance consultant I have to have many environments available to match with my clients. By running parallels, I can mimic the client environment and keep compatible with their desktop no matter what their environment. I also have a technet membership so I run the latest images from microsoft in my Parallels worlds.

If you can only install one software in your mac it will be parallels. This mac your mac beyond the boundaries. There is no limitation to your mac. I love parallel