In order to use some specialized equipment, I have to run some Windows software, so I got a MacBook and set about getting as little involved in Windows as possible. Now this equipment requires a USB connection (actually does something kinda funky and hooks up 2 things by USB), so it won't work easily, but shouldn't require high-end stull. After all, people are punning it on Win 98. I also had a couple other programs that are pretty straightforward programs with nothing fancy: no 3D, no sound, etc. These should be easy, right?
CrossOver was my greatest hope (since I wouldn't have to run Windows at all) but also the greatest failure: nothing would run on it. Not even the seemingly simple programs.
Parallels (2.5) seemed promising: the program for the equipment would run before I got the equipment, but wouldn't actually perform with the equipment. The other programs ran fine on it, though.
At this point, since I needed to get things working (Fusion didn't seem to be ready in April), I bit the bullet and bought a Windows laptop just to run this thing.
Parallels comes out with version 3.0 just over a month after I paid for it (and am not using it yet) so no upgrade and no explanation of what the upgrade will do for me. In all fairness, I still haven't tried v3.
I did just try VMware Fusion and it did the job flawlessly. If only I had never bought that laptop! I think I'll get a couple licenses at the current price: this can run the tough stuff. The only problem I've had with it was I couldn't get it to install Win 2000 Pro, but XP is working fine and that copy of 2K looks a bit sketchy...