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Parallels Desktop Finally Ships
We've been noting the steady stream of Release Candidates coming out of Parallels, but today finally saw the actual release of latest version of the leading (for now) virtualization solution for the Mac. So now those hardy (or prudent) souls out there who actually wait for a shipping product can jump on this revolutionary piece of software. At this point, there's hardly anything new to say, but the many official improvements since the last release include support for: running a Boot Camp partition as a virtual machine, USB 2.0, built-in iSights, true drag and drop between OSes, Leopard and Vista and more.The release is free for registered users. Parallels Desktop sells for $79.99 and of course you'll need a Windows license if you want to install that. A demo is available. Unfortunately, the Parallel's site is getting hammered right now, so you may have to wait a little while to grab your copy.[Via Infinite Loop]Update: clarified what was released.
Parallels Desktop for Mac Release Candidate 3
The Parallels team today issued Release Candidate 3 of Parallels Desktop, their virtualization software that we've mentioned once or twice. While their announcement blog post only touts two major new features (the ability to seamlessly upgrade a WinXP VM to Vista & a more secure file sharing process between OSes), the beta testing page has quite a bit more to say. A lot of features have been enhanced in RC3, such as better Boot Camp support, ever-enhanced USB support and a new Transporter bundle, but one hidden gem is of particular interest: Parallels Desktop is now ready for the upcoming Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. To be clear: this doesn't mean you can virtualize Leopard in Parallels Desktop - you can run Parallels Desktop on a Leopard machine. Head on over to the beta page for all the details and to grab a copy of the new release.
Found Footage: VMWare Fusion To Bring 3D Hardware Acceleration
We've all been waiting patiently for Parallels to deliver on their promise to add hardware accelerated 3D graphics support in their Intel Mac virtualization solution, Parallels Desktop. Apparently, however, competitor VMware already has some working code. The above video, featuring 3D accelerated gaming, appeared recently on Youtube, and now it seems that a VMware employee is confirming that for some time VMware has contained a "semi-hidden switch" for activating 3D support on the Linux and Windows versions. Since VMware's still beta Mac product, VMware Fusion, is built on the same codebase as VMware Workstation 6, it too will support Direct X 8.1 (as demonstrated in the video). They are apparently working towards an internal goal of supporting Direct X 9 and thus Vista's Aero. As much as I like Parallels Desktop, this just confirms it: competition is good! Now get back to work Parallels!Thanks Mark!
Parallels Desktop for Mac beta build hits Release Candidate 2
It's a sign of the times that only a few days after the consumer release of Windows Vista we're able to talk about a new version of Parallels Desktop that, amongst other new features, improves the experience of running Microsoft's OS on a Mac. This latest beta build (3150, up from the previously released 3036) adds some pretty essential features like full USB 2.0 support, full support for CD and DVD burning within virtual machines, support for conversion of VMware and Virtual PC virtual hard disks to Parallels, true drag and drop functionality, and a new look and feel that meshes more effectively with OS X. On top of these changes, Parallels has improved the Coherence mode (which allows you to run Windows within OS X without switching desktops) so that you can use the dock icon as a start menu, and the use of a Boot Camp partition as a virtual machine. That's a whole lot of improvements for a beta upgrade -- which will currently only accept U.S. serial numbers: live anywhere else and you have to slum it with the 30 day free trial -- although one demographic still won't be happy. Full support for DirectX still hasn't been implemented, so any gamers hoping to ditch that gaming PC (or merely an annoying reboot) will have to continue waiting for the release that does. For all the people out there who like to get things done with their computer, the 40MB download is free, so what are you waiting for?[Thanks, Chuwy]
Intel GM has "religious experience," buys a Mac
Hexus has an interview with Pat Gelsinger, Intel's GM of their Digital Enterprise Group, in which he describes crossing "the religious boundary" by purchasing a Mac. Note how the interviewer reacts and grimaces around 1:41 when Pat drops the bomb, and how he has to interrupt Pat to announce his newfound "Mac fanboy" status. Pat also mentions he's buying a second for his wife, along with a copy of the upcoming Windows Vista and Parallels Desktop, of course.This is a really interesting statement to hear from someone so high up on a business ladder, especially since he's specifically spending the money to buy Parallels, instead of using Apple's free but workflow-intruding Boot Camp. Pat joins other business notables - like the recent CIO who picked Mac OS X after comparing to Linux and Windows for a month - in voicing their fondness for Apple's OS, even while the big fruit seems to be spending most (if not all) of their marketing on advertising to the home creative crowd.I'd link the actual interview, but it seems almost the entire Hexus site is done in Flash (grrrr). As of this writing, the interview is at the top of their list.[via Macworld UK]
Walkthrough: Running Windows Vista on your Intel Mac with Parallels Desktop
I managed to get Vista running on my MacBook Pro in both a copy of Parallels Desktop and Boot Camp, but this post is only going to cover the Parallels side of things; my Boot Camp post is still in the kettle.For the most part, I would say Vista runs in Parallels Desktop just 'ok,' as opposed to 'really well' or 'it made an un-switcher out of me.' Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to offer full support for high-end graphics cards yet, so you won't get any of the fancy 3D effects or what I like to call Translucent Everything Technology™ (TET) that Vista boasts.Read on for a walkthrough of setting up, installing and running Microsoft Windows Vista on your Intel Mac via Parallels Desktop, including some catches to watch out for and just how far you can actually push this software, given Vista's still more or less beta/RC1 status and Parallels' as-yet experimental support.
Parallels Desktop official in Apple Stores with rebate offer
I was in an Apple Store here in CO yesterday and noticed that retail boxes of Parallels Desktop have arrived on the shelves. In fact, I had a nice discussion with a customer who was switching because he could now run Windows on a new Mac (he never considered Virtual PC an option - I personally don't blame him). He even used the term 'safety net' to refer to how often he hoped to have to run Windows - if ever.I also just received an email from Parallels promoting a $20 rebate with the purchase of Parallels Desktop ($80) and Windows XP (either $200 for Home or $300 for Pro). The rebate is good through August 15th, and Windows XP must be purchased within 14 days of Parallels Desktop.
