Parallels Desktop, according to their website, is “simply the world’s bestselling, top-rated, and most trusted solution for running Windows applications on your Mac.” It seems like a great idea. I mean really, for all those sensible people out there with an apple product who must put up with the worlds’ blind dedication to anything Microsoft, you know what I’m talking about.
Keynote vs. Powerpoint. Numbers vs. Excel. Pages vs. Word. Anything Apple, in my opinion, is inherently better. Unfortunately for me, the bridge that could seamlessly join the Apple universe with that of the PC has yet to be erected.
Parallels basically involves installing the program, installing Windows (each part sold separately), and figuring out how to manage using your Mac OS with a Windows desktop application. It gets a little tricky. Windows locks the cursor inside the app, so it’s difficult to exit the Windows portion and return to your regular desktop. Thus far, the easiest way I’ve found to do this is to hit my Mac power button (the one that offers “Shut down,” “Restart,” “Cancel,” and “Sleep” options) and select “Cancel.” That seems to get the Windows situation under control.
Another issue I am encountering is time. Now I’m no tech geek, and I know very little about computers in general. But this program is constantly putting me through the agony of what I lovingly refer to as “The Spinning Ball of Death.” Mac users will recognize this as the multi-colored pinwheel that appears when a) your computer is thinking hard b) something is very wrong, or c) your hard drive is about to crash (I speak from personal experience). This Ball of Death only lasts for about 20 seconds every time you click something, but let me tell you 20 seconds, 10 times per every 10 minute period, adds up.
The cool thing about this program is, hypothetically, that it makes EVERYTHING easier. Most schools use PCs by default, as do most businesses. Now that slide deck you’ve put together so carefully won’t come out so royally jacked-up when you’re presenting, and that spreadsheet merges seamlessly, thereby drastically cutting down on printing costs. And plus, I’ve come across some difficulty using Bit Torrent and other somewhat questionable free downloads with a Mac. You can use it on Windows, and the beauty is that bugs and viruses shouldn’t infiltrate and infect your computer!
