MacOS is an excellent operating system, which, like the "competitive" Windows or open Linux, has its advantages and disadvantages. Any of these OS is difficult to confuse on the other, and each of them is endowed with unique functional features. But what if when working with one system, there is a need to use the possibilities and tools that are only in the "enemy" camp? The optimal solution in this case is the installation of a virtual machine, and about four such solutions for Makos we will tell in this article.
VirtualBox.
A cross-platform virtual machine developed by Oracle. It is well suited to perform basic tasks (work with data, documents, launching undemanding to the resources of applications and games) and simple study of the operating system other than MacOS. VirtualBox is distributed free of charge, and in its environment you can install not only Windows of different versions, but also various Linux distributions. This machine is an excellent solution for users who, at least sometimes you need to "contact" to another OS. The main thing is not to demand too much.
These virtualists, in addition to its free, there are a lot of use and settings, the availability of a common clipboard and the ability to access network resources. The main and guest operating systems operate in parallel, which eliminates the need to reboot. In addition, installed on the VirtualBox Windows OS or, for example, Ubuntu operates inside the "maternal" macos, which eliminates the problems of file systems compatibility and allows you to have shared files on the physical and virtual drive. This boasts not every virtual machine.
And yet, VirtualBox has shortcomings, and the main of them follows from the main dignity. Due to the fact that the guest operating system works along with the main, unsubstantial resources of the computer are divided between them, and not always row. Because of the work of iron "On two fronts", many demanding (and not very) applications, not to mention modern games, can slowly slow down, hang. And, oddly enough, than more productive Mac, the stronger the speed of both OS will be fed. Another, no less critical minus is far from the best hardware compatibility. Programs and games that need access to the "apple" gland can function not be stable, with failures, or even stop running at all.
Download VirtualBox for MacOS
VMware Fusion
Software that allows not only to virtualize the operating system, but also literally transfer the ready-made and configured Windows or Ubuntu with a PC on MacOS Wednesday. For these purposes, a functional tool as a master exchange is used. Thus, VMware Fusion allows you to use applications and run computer games that were previously installed on "donor" Windows or Linux, which eliminates the need for tedious installation and subsequent configuration. In addition, it is possible to launch a guest officer from the Boot Camp section, which we will still talk about.
The key advantages of this virtual machine are in full compatibility of file systems and providing access to network resources. It is impossible not to mention such a pleasant nuance as the presence of a common clipboard, thanks to which you can easily copy and move files between the main and guest OS (in both directions). Programs transferred from Windows PCs on Wednesday VMware Fusion are integrated with many important MacOS functions. That is, directly from the guest OS can be addressed to Spotlight, Expose, Mission Control and other "apple" tools.
All is well, but this virtual and one disadvantage, which is capable of scarying many users, is a fairly high license cost. Fortunately, there is a free trial version, thanks to which you can estimate all the possibilities of the virtualization system.
Download VMware Fusion for MacOS
Parallels Desktop.
If the VirtualBox mentioned at the beginning of the article is the most popular virtual machine, then this is most in demand among MacOS users. The developers of Parallels Desktop are closely communicated with the user community, due to which they regularly update their product, eliminating all sorts of bugs, errors and adding more and more expected functions. This virtual service is compatible with all versions of Windows, allows you to start and distributions Ubuntu. It is noteworthy that the OS from Microsoft can be downloaded directly from the program interface, and its installation will take no more than 20 minutes.
The Parallels Desktop contains the useful "picture in the picture" mode, thanks to which each of the virtual machines (yes, there may be more than one) to be brought into a separate small window and switch between them. Evaluate this virtualization system and owners of modern MacBook Pro, as it is implemented to support the Touch Bar - the touch panel that has replaced the function keys. It can be easily customized by itself by assigning a necessary function or action to each of the buttons. In addition, for the lazy and those who simply do not want to dig in the settings, there is a large set of templates, there is a useful ability to save your own profiles for a touchbra in Windows.
Another important advantage of this virtual machine is the presence of a hybrid mode. This useful feature allows you to use MACK and Windows in parallel, referring to the interface of any of them as needed. After activating this mode, both systems will be displayed on the screen, and the internal programs will be launched without regard to their type and accessory. Like VMware Fusion, Parallels Desktop allows you to run Windows installed by the Boot Camp assistant. Like the previous virtuette, this spreads on a paid basis, however, it is a little cheaper.
Download Parallels Desktop for MacOS
Boot Camp.
Despite the fact that Apple developers are trying to protect from all sides and protect their users from the outside world, entirely and completely immersing them in their own, closed ecosystem, even they recognize the considerable demand for Windows and the need for its presence "at hand". Assistant BOOT CAMP integrated into all current versions of MacOS is direct proof. This is a kind of analogue of a virtual machine that allows you to install full-fledged windows on the poppy and fully use all its capabilities, functions and tools.
The "competitive" system is installed on a separate disk section (50 GB of free space will be required), and out of this, both dignity and disadvantages. On the one hand, it's good that Windows will work independently using the amount of resources you need, on the other, to start it, as well as to return to MacOS, you will need to restart the system every time. Virtual machines considered under this article are more convenient and practical in this regard. Apple's critical deficiencies in the Critical Discussion of Apple's own lack of integration with MACK. Windows, of course, does not support the "apple" file system, and therefore, while in its environment, it is impossible to access files saved on the poppy.
However, the use of windows through Boot Camp has indisputable advantages. Among those are high performance, since all available resources are spent on servicing only one OS, as well as full compatibility, because it is a full-featured Windows, it is simply launched in a "alien" medium on another hardware. By the way, Boot Camp allows you to install and Linux distributions. In the piggy bank of the advantages of this assistant, it is necessary to count the fact that it is completely free, also built into the OS. It seems the choice is more than obvious.
Conclusion
In this article, we briefly reviewed the most popular Virtual Machines for MacOS. Which one to choose, each user should solve himself, we simply provided guidelines in the form of advantages and disadvantages, unique features and models of distribution. We hope this material was useful for you.