Parallels Desktop comes out of beta, update available

It's taken its time cutting its teeth in beta and release candidate versions, but it looks like Parallels has finally grown up, emerging today in its "final version" -- that is, until the inevitable round of non-beta updates begin. Those that have been dealing with the various betas won't find too many surprises in this new version, however, with familiar features like Coherence's seamless application integration and Vista support making an appearance in presumably more stable states. Current Parallels users don't have much to lose with the update though, as its available as a free download for anyone that's already paid their dues. Everyone else can either try out a free 15-day trial or fork over the $80 for the full version. In either case, be prepared to wait in line -- last we checked, Parallels' site was having having some serious trouble coping with the demand.

[Via Infinite Loop]

[tchiseen @ Feb 27th 2007 7:02PM]

that screenshot looks like satan's lovechild. so now you can have the under-powered-ness of a mac and the ugly looks and horrible clutter of vista!awesome.

[kuzu-b @ Feb 27th 2007 7:08PM]

tchiseen, until you come out with your own operating system, shut up. I can't stand people who think that making negative comments about everything makes them seem cynical and witty. It doesn't. It makes you seem like a pretentious idiot.

[Chocolate Starfish @ Feb 27th 2007 10:13PM]

Well I laughed.

[audioeric @ Feb 27th 2007 7:09PM]

Wow, underpowerdness of mac.. That's gonna hurt.. I just picked up a 17" Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo (2.33Ghz, 3GB RAM, etc.) The only thing that's a bit underpowered might be the video card, but with my x360, I don't do any gaming on my PC.. I've been using Parallels the past few days and have been LOVING it!! XP boots in less than 10 seconds and both OS X and XP are still lightning quick.. My only qualm was that it didn't support USB 2.0, and this looks to change that.. Let's see if my Zune works with it now...

[matty @ Feb 27th 2007 7:15PM]

mirror is here:
http://parallels.nfshost.com/

[Ben @ Feb 27th 2007 7:21PM]

Pretty please.......

No freakin' Mac/Windows flame war! Sensible discussion, on topic if possible.

[matt byrne @ Feb 27th 2007 7:32PM]

Windows has just become a window itself.

[Kev50027 @ Feb 27th 2007 7:34PM]

Ugh.. I can't help it, sorry everyone, but I just really really prefer the Windows OS look to the Mac OS look. Something about Mac is just gay. It's too squishy and gooey. Vista isn't nearly as wasteful in the gooey squishey graphics department. Maybe it has something to do with those really tight jeans Steve Jobs always wears. What is it with him and gay looking jeans anyway?

I know you will all flame me, but before you do.. try to explain to me why nobody except Steve Jobs wears really really tight jeans. It's disgusting.

[TJ @ Feb 27th 2007 9:26PM]

What does Steve Jobs' clothes has anything to do with using a Mac?

[cire @ Feb 27th 2007 11:11PM]

Your an imbecile.

[Kev50027 @ Feb 27th 2007 7:36PM]

Oh.. not to mention that Steve Jobs has an illegitimate son.

Oh.. and Engadget is full of Apple/Nintendo loving fanboys.

Okay, I'm done for now :-) Go back to your seats everyone.

[michael @ Feb 27th 2007 7:41PM]

Why do crazy mac users want to run yucky old Windows on their macs?

[Craig @ Feb 27th 2007 7:46PM]

Maybe because they need to use an app that only runs under Windows?

[Mike @ Feb 27th 2007 8:05PM]

Yes - let's turn this into a mac vs. pc flame war - there isn't enough of those on the Internet.

[Al Nyden @ Feb 27th 2007 8:12PM]

Why run Windows in a mac: Napster, Unbox, Pocket PC sync (missing sync doesn't do everything PC can do), and some games.

[Asia @ Feb 27th 2007 8:15PM]

I installed that latest beta last week so I'm not scrambling with the crowd for the official release - It's definitely sweet, Cohesion is by far the sexiest thing they could've done with Parallels. (I bought 2 releases ago)

[Jeremy Roush @ Feb 27th 2007 8:47PM]

Two words: Idi Ocracy.

[Gregory Capobianco @ Feb 27th 2007 8:59PM]

How did they get the Parallels Dock icon to the right of the trash?

[Nick @ Feb 28th 2007 7:11AM]

I wondered that myself o_O

[AKBlade13 @ Feb 27th 2007 10:46PM]

Where is the love for Power PCs Parallels?

Where is the love?

Anyway it looks awesome.

AKBlade13

[Scabrous Vermicelli @ Feb 28th 2007 2:25AM]

Phenomenal software, and just keeps getting better with each release. In terms of productivity gained, possibly the best money I've ever spent. This is an unsolicited rant.

Not an OS zealot; I happen to prefer the Mac when developing web sites, but know that testing under various Windows browsers is absolutely essential. Running in Coherence mode, the integration is unbelievable; Mac and Windows apps run side-by-side (running all of Windows in a window, as shown, is optional), the Windows Taskbar can be disabled with equivalent functionality placed in the Dock (the Parallels app icon becomes the Start menu), can drag files from Finder directly into Windows apps, and so forth. The efficiency gains when doing cross-platform development and testing are immeasurable.

If you're the sort who feels the need to bash one system or the other, this software isn't for you. If you're a realist, a professional and have actual work to get done...well, you're probably using Parallels already in that case...but if not, get the trial and give this software some serious evaluation.

[Revels @ Feb 28th 2007 5:08AM]

Thanks for your informed post, I thought I was going to lose my mind for a second.

[Brian Sexton @ Feb 28th 2007 6:24AM]

Parallels Desktop was already released quite some time ago, both for download and via boxed copies that have been on the shelves of Mac software retailers for months; this release is an *UPDATE* and the previous beta versions and release candidate versions were betas and release candidates of the *UPDATE*.

[beany @ Feb 28th 2007 12:27PM]

If Mac is Gay...then Vista is a Drag Queen. Right? Then there you are setting there looking pretty in a trashy messy tragic way unable to walk steadily on those gigantic stilettos. Lip syncing is your most considerable talent I suppose. Poor poor drag queen Vista.

[Kevin @ Feb 28th 2007 12:43PM]

L O L

Funniest post EVER!

[GhostDoggy @ Mar 1st 2007 5:40AM]

So far this week I watched XP crash Mac OSX twice while running in parallel. Both times the owner had to hard reboot his iMac and we chuckled over the events, both happened within five minutes of each other.

[Matt C. @ Mar 1st 2007 3:30PM]

does anyone know where i can get that background to use on xp?

[jeff @ Mar 1st 2007 7:46PM]

Google for "Vista wallpaper" - they're all over the place.

[Jamie @ Mar 5th 2007 6:11PM]

"Something about Mac is just gay."

Thanks for letting us know up-front that you have nothing worthwhile to say.