I haven't used the new version of Parallels enough to judge for myself how much improvement there is in performance. I do have problems with Windows XP. Internet Explorer 7 launches every time with add-ons disabled and the Manage Add-ons line in the Tools menu is grayed out so I cannot find a way to turn them on again - to use Silverlight to use Instant Watching at Netflix, for instance. Not being a Windows expert I haven't been able to figure this one out. Explorer Help has so far been useless. Fortunately, Silverlight works in Firefox in Windows so I was finally able to test Netflix Instant Watching - since I recently signed up for their beta program. Though not perfect - there are still a few minor streaming hitches - it runs significantly better than it did in earlier versions of Parallels.

I bought Fusion a while back when I was having problems with Parallels 2. It is certainly a viable alternative and worth a try. But you will need to reauthorize Windows when you install it. Though Fusion can convert a Parallels VM, it may not work yet with a Parallels 4 version. In any case that would not really be a clean install. Reauthorizing by phone works better than using the Internet. Just tell the automated service you had problems with Windows and need to reauthorize it on the same machine.

Personally, I like the new Parallels interface, with its more granular settings control. Any problems with performance I would be more likely to chalk up to Windows itself, or the new security software.

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Don't anthropomorphize computers - They hate that.

sat54,

You said the installation went smoothly, may I ask about how long it took you?

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Sean Gibbons - Official Blogger for www.Parallels.com

I really didn't time it but I would guess about 30 min-1 hour. It took a lot longer to uninstall the 4.0 and the reinstall the 3. and get it working again.

So, for the Guild Wars question:

On Parallels 3, I was able to get a max of 12 FPS when running Guild Wars after numerous configuration changes. With Parallels 4.0, it runs in excess of 30 FPS. I believe the main reason is due to the video ram change: 64Mb max in 3, 256Mb max in 4.0, but I could be way off... I am running a MacBook Pro with a GeForce 8600 GT and 256Mb of ram and a 2.4GHz intel core 2 duo processor.

My 3 to 4 upgrade experience:

As people have stated before, it is definitely not for the faint of heart. Numerous times it told me it could not proceed. These times all seemed related to Windows Activation. So many virtual configuration changes took place, I was required to reactive my license. Of course, when I tried, I was kindly informed that my activation count had exceeded some nebulous number. I then went through the telephone portion of the activation and finally got a live person to talk to. About 8 minutes later, everything was all cleared up and I was good to go.

During the first hiccup, I had no mouse or keyboard response, so I ended up shutting down Parallels and restarting it. Mouse and keyboard response returned, and I was able to get past the windows activation screens (for the moment). Parallels seemed to pick up where it left off after that.

Since I had just recently set up Parallels, there was not much to convert from 3 to 4, so that may have contributed to the (eventual) success of the operation: it was a very simplistic install of Windows, with only a few applications.

I have not played around with it much since testing out GW (that, of course, was the primary reason for the upgrade :)). More on that later...

I have been using Parallels 3 for a while and like it.

I have a very annoying issue, though, and I would like to ask you guys if you are facing the same.

When you work in Windows (in my case, Vista Ultimate) with Parallels, your Mac keyboard is NOT recognized. Windows acts as if you had a standard Microsoft keyboard. And since the keys are not identical between the two, there is quite a number of characters that you cannot find easily. This is the case of the @ and € signs, for instance.

I was wondering if :
1) Other Parallels users have had the same issue
2) Parallels 4 resolves the issue

Thanks !

Well, there are still some little junk apps that still require you to fire up Windoze. I have been using it for ages and never had a problem. Mind you, I might only fire it up once every 3 months.

Steve Bell
Archiform 3D Renderings

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Steve Bell Archiform 3D animation and renderings www.archiform3d.com

You don't understand games and wanting to play and have fun? Or you just don't like computer games and for some reason you think everyone else should feel the same way? I think I feel sorry for you.