Haha ... Until now I was just lurking but thought I'll make a comment. (and before you start complaining about my grammar or spelling - I am German - I am allowed to write like a donkey)
It is really amazing how many people actually defending Parallels and their practices when it comes to their product.
I am working now with Virtualization for almost 10 years (certified VCP for starters) and I am using as Enterprise Solution the ESX Server from VMWare and for the client solution VMare workstation ... This is just to show that I usually know what I am talking about when it comes to virtualization.
Anyway, I do agree with some complains but I don't agree with the way people asking for help or complainaing. This is neither mature nor professional ..
Anyway2 : I started to use Parallels simply for the fact that I bought a Mac laptop and I needed to run certain monitoring tools for our Windows server farm which are simply not available for Mac or Linux ... And Parallels was the first company advertising a full product and not a Beta like VMWare and for "Warranty" reason and internal company procedures I went ahead and tested it on my little private MacBook ...
The first flaw with Parallels : You get the link to the forums via email only when you bought the product.. So you basically have no chance to read about peoples problems before you get your credit card out of your wallet ... So far I never run into any problems, however, I really just use it for two programs installed on a virtual XP .. so I don't really demand anything from it .. And that being said : I think this is exactly the "problem" of all supporter of Parallels ... If you really need what Parallels promises you do run eventually into problems, started USB support and so on ....
When then people complaining not just once about support not being supportive .. or dead phone lines even though they have bought the phone support, then there is def. something wrong .. Sure .. Parallels is not that expensive, but a blank DVD isn't either and yet you are annoyed when the media doesn't work.
I did follow the advertising of version 3 from the beginning and the advertising was def. misleading ....
Personally, I want support if needed, I want a stable product if advertised and I don't want false promises .... That being said : I stick with my VMWare products, even if they are in Beta ....
And yet again : it doesn't help you to complain in an aggressive manner. If Parallels is as bad as most people here in the thread think, other websites will release reviews soon enough ... If you are fine with it - cool - stick with it ..
And if you don't get a reply to your refund question : Ey, magic word is charge back .... Don't make your life more difficult than it already is

It just gives you a heart attack
