Dear Parallels, Simple question, that I've yet to see Parallels attempt to answer: When will 64 bit guests be supported on mac? I've searched, and found this question littered in the archives back to 2006, but parallels always say "we are working on it". Well, obviously you guys haven't been continuously working on it, or it'd be released by now. As you can probably tell by the tone of this post, I'm not best pleased with Parallels at the moment - I've just dropped a wad of cash on your Desktop 3 product at the Apple store where they assured me it supported Win 64. Even your packaging claims "Run any version of Windows". Come on Parallels, take deep breath and tell us what is really going on with this feature. When it might come out, and whether you have plans for a beta in the next 6 months, or whether I should just beg the Apple store for a refund and never buy another Parallels product again? I look forward to hearing you comments... Rich.
I have to concur... ... This is pretty pathetic. The only evidence that Parallels doesn't support 64 bit guest OSes is a tiny footnote on the system requirements page. And as for promising 64 bit support in a 'future release'; the very least Parallels could give its paying customers is a relative timeframe. I'm also more than a little peeved about the fact that, after paying extra for the Premium version of Parallels Desktop, I find I can't actually install any of the extra bundled software (Acronis Disk Manager, Kaspersky IS, etc.) because it can only be run from within the virtual machine. I know I'm not entitled to a refund, but I sure as hell hope this 'future release' of Parallels is a free upgrade to those of us who have been ripped off...
Yep, I also purchased under the false impression of 64 bit support, and I didn't "not" do my homework either. This is UNPROFESSIONAL. Given that it really shouldn't be that much work, and the whole blanket of secrecy, I suspect it's being held off for the next major revision :v( . Although smaller, Mac-centric companies are often nicer for the better platform support, I wonder if VMWare might be a better option.
Parallels Server for Mac (which is still in Beta) already supports 64-bit guests, so the technology is there, it has been developed, and it will be applied to the Desktop version, the saddest part is that it will most certainly be only in version 4 and most probably won't be a free upgrade.
Where are the administrators? Seems Parallels staff are eager to help with any query except this one. How long can they keep palming people off before everyone realises that there are alternatives that offer more features at the same price? VMware Fusion is an excellent product, and I highly recommend it. They offer a 30-day free trial of their product, which is easily long enough for you to discover the ins and outs of the program. The only reason I bought Parallels was because of the 'excellent value' premium bundle. I don't plan on buying into it again, 64-bit or not. I'm quite happy using Boot Camp for the minute.
64 bit guests will be supported in Parallels Server which is planning in June, and Parallels Desktop 4 which is planning in summer
Thank you!! Cheers for the reply. Any info on pricing? I've been offered Fusion of $60 and I'm tempted to take them up on it.
