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"We run a high volume of Macs and it’s absolutely vital that they deliver on fast performance and ease of use. Parallels has met this need well with features like Coherence and SmartSelect in creating a seamless Windows-on-Mac experience," said John Hermes, Chief Technology Officer at Oklahoma Christian University. "Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac builds on this, providing blazing speed and all-round performance through innovations such as the Adaptive Hypervisor, which gives our users the resources they need on the fly; and advanced graphics support, which provides a very smooth experience."
Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac introduces support for DirectX 9.0, DirectX Pixel Shader 2.0 and OpenGL 2.0, providing fast video performance, while the Adaptive Hypervisor dynamically allocates resources to meet user needs. The responsiveness to all applications is further enhanced as the virtualization engine has been optimized to consume 15-30% less resources than previous versions.
"Parallels is committed to continuing the innovation that has resulted in Parallels Desktop for Mac winning more than 30 major awards and being a premier Windows-on-Mac virtualization product," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels. "With version 4.0, we’re delivering an advanced solution that is easy, fast and powerful — with industry-leading tools and utilities included at no extra cost."
Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac addresses two other primary user concerns: security and backup. The software offers users peace of mind through Parallels Internet Security powered by Kaspersky for anti-virus, firewall, scanner, recovery, filtering and identity protection as well as Acronis True Image Home backup and restore and Acronis Disk Director Suite. These three additions to Parallels Desktop represent $175 in extra value along with a more complete user experience.
"Mac OS X is the world’s most advanced operating system and its ability to run Windows on a Mac is yet another reason users are switching to the Mac at a rapid rate," said Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "This rapid adoption is supported by applications like Parallels Desktop for Mac, which enables users to get the most from their hardware."
Parallels Desktop 4.0 offers a computing experience that is:
* Easy — Get easy access to all your applications and data while enjoying the full Mac experience with Improved Windows and Mac integration, True Drag & Drop and Copy & Paste, SmartX Technologies and Built-in Installation and Migration Tools.
* Fast — Experience the fastest speed for all applications with Adaptive Hypervisor, FastLane Architecture, up to 8 way SMP and 8 GB RAM plus 64-bit support for each VM, HyperBus and support for DirectX 9.0, DirectX Pixel Shader 2.0, and OpenGL 2.0.
* Powerful — Get a complete suite of essentials for Internet security, data protection and disk management with Parallels Internet Security powered by Kaspersky, Acronis True Image Home backup and restore, SmartGuard, PowerSaver, Full-hardware ACPI support and Acronis Disk Director Suite disk management.
* Developer and Enterprise Ready — Additional features specifically for Developers and IT administrators include Mac OS X Leopard Server and Windows Server OS support, VM Directory, CLI and Scripting support, SDK and API, remote control from iPhone, PXE Boot, improved networking and VM Templates.
With more than 50 new features, additional highlights include a redesigned user interface with quick access to all VMs, additional Screenview modes, Clips for screenshots, Speech Recognition, Security Manager, Safe Mode, Shut Down Mode and Over 45 Supported Guest OSs.
"The growth, in both performance and ease of use, of desktop virtualization software is making it easier for Windows users to adopt Macintosh computers. The availability of this technology is one of many factors driving growth in the adoption of Mac desktops and notebooks, for which shipments have grown 46.6% between the first half of 2007 and the first half of 2008, according to our data," said Michael Rose, Industry Analyst at the research firm, IDC. "Those users leveraging virtualization software on their Macintosh hardware will find that many of the new capabilities in Parallels Desktop 4.0 represent another step forward."
Labels: parallels
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 11/12/2008 09:01:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Parallels Server for Mac is a powerful and easy-to-use bare metal hypervisor solution for server virtualization that provides the best value for cost conscience organizations seeking to standardize and optimize their IT infrastructures.
Built on Parallels’ bare metal hypervisor architecture and award-winning hypervisor-based virtualization technology, Parallels Server for Mac enables organizations to:
*Standardize server hardware platforms
*Effectively consolidate server resources
*Consolidate and support legacy OSes and applications
*Streamline server and application deployment, maintenance and management
*Simplify software testing and development
*Optimize server and application availability
A hardware-ready solution, organizations can leverage Parallels Server for Mac to seamlessly standardize on the Mac platform and to integrate into existing IT infrastructures. Parallels Server is designed to optimize the performance of virtualized systems and applications and provides cost-effective approaches to protect data and reduce the costs and complexities of IT infrastructures.
Labels: parallels
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 4/10/2008 10:19:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
I just noticed that CDW is offering a Mac OS X Leopard, Parallels for Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition bundle for $279. For those folks running Intel Mac boxes, that is an amazing offer. Windows alone is worth the $279 price.
For more information, visit the CDW website.
Labels: mac, os x, parallels, vista
¶ posted by Alan Grassia, Staff Writer @ 2/22/2008 09:34:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Parallels Server can be installed using Parallels lightweight hypervisor, in which virtual machines run in tandem with a primary operating system, or "bare-metal,', in which virtual machines run completely independently and are not dependent on a host operating system to function properly. Users can choose to load Parallels Server in lightweight hypervisor mode or bare-metal mode at installation. Parallels Server is the only virtualization product of any kind to afford users the flexibility to choose their implementation at install.
The software supports any combination of more than 50 different guest operating systems including Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 "Longhorn", Red Hat Linux, SUSE Enterprise Linux, Sun Solaris, simultaneously, in isolated virtual machines. Customers running Parallels Server on Apple hardware also have the industry-first option of running Mac OS X Server in a virtual machine."
Parallels Server is the first server virtualization product to be designed uniquely for small and medium businesses and departments of large enterprises, which require easier to use solutions with less complexity in management and deployment. It is an ideal server consolidation tool that can substantially reduce hardware expenditures and operating costs, and simplify back-end IT management.
In addition, Parallels Server is the first to offer experimental support for Intel second-generation virtualization technology, Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (Intel VT-d). By fully optimizing for hardware-enabled virtualization technologies like Intel VT-d, Parallels Server will not only deliver high levels of performance and reliability but also allows users to directly assign hardware resources such as a second graphics or network card to a virtual machine.
Continued Leadership in the Mac Market
SWsoft's Parallels Server is the first server virtualization software solution on Intel-based Apple hardware supporting Mac OS X Server, including Apple's new Xserve and Mac Pro lines, which were announced yesterday. With Parallels Server, Mac OS X Server administrators will be able to run important, industry-standard, workloads such as SQL Server and Exchange Server at the same time as their Mac OS X Server applications.
The product is also the first ever to enable running Mac OS X Server, in a virtual machine. This gives users the ability to create "sandboxed" Mac OS X Server virtual machines on in which they can test patches, new software, and experiment with new Apple hardware configurations, without compromising a production server.
Coupled with Parallels Desktop for Mac, the company's award-winning desktop virtualization solution, Parallels Server presents businesses with a unique opportunity to standardize on Apple hardware - both on the desktop and in the server room - while still having access to applications written for any operating system.
Integration with Virtuozzo Containers and Tools
Parallels Server joins SWsoft's Virtuozzo Containers as an additional SWsoft server virtualization technology. The company will soon extend its virtualization management tools to manage both Virtuozzo Containers and Parallels virtual machines.
"Hundreds of thousands of customers are using Parallels virtualization software in their businesses and homes to get the most out of their Windows, Mac and Linux desktop computers and applications," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of SWsoft. "Launching the Parallels Server beta is a key milestone in delivering on our vision of 'Optimized Computing' for servers and desktops across heterogeneous platforms."
Key Features in the Parallels Server beta include:
* Run any combination of more than 50 different x86 and x64 guest operating in secure, high performing virtual machines, and have the option to run virtual machines in the headless mode via a "bare metal" hypervisor.
* Take advantage of Parallels Server's industry first capability to simultaneously run multiple copies of Mac OS X Server, Windows Server and Linux on the same Xserve.
* Users running Parallels Server on Apple hardware also have the industry-first option to run Mac OS X Server in a virtual machine.
* Remote control of the virtual machines via the Parallels Management Console
* Support for up to 64Gb of RAM on the host computer
* Full support for x64 primary and guest OSes, as well as 2-way SMP in virtual machines. The final release version will support up to 4-way SMP
* Multi-user access to the same virtual machine
* Support for ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) in virtual machines
* Completely open, fully scriptable APIs for customized management
* Full support for Intel VT-x, and experimental support for Intel VT-d.
Beta Program Participation
Parallels Server is currently in private beta testing, and the company is accepting registrations for new beta testers. For details about participating in the beta program, go to www.parallels.com/support/beta .
Labels: parallels
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 1/09/2008 11:22:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Premium Edition includes award-winning virtualization, security, disk management and backup solutions in a single, affordable package
RENTON, Wash., December 5, 2007 -- SWsoft, maker of Parallels Desktop for Mac, the #1 selling Mac system utility that allows users to run Windows side-by-side with Mac OS X on any Intel-powered Mac, today announced the release of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac Premium Edition -- a complete virtualization solution for Intel Mac users that includes Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac, plus easy-to-use utilities from leading third-party software companies that help keep Windows virtual computers safe, secure and running smoothly.
Award Winning Utilities Coupled With Parallels' Award Winning Virtualization As part of its commitment to providing Mac users with the easiest, most complete virtual computing experience possible, Parallels Desktop 3.0 Premium Edition supports the latest Leopard-compatible build of Parallels Desktop 3.0 - which is available as a free update for all Parallels Desktop 3.0 users as of today - with three award-winning utilities that help users secure, back up and customize their Windows virtual machines. Bought separately and new, these three utilities cost more than $175.
* Complete Malware Protection from Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 To protect against the viruses, spyware, spam and malware that can harm any Windows machine, even virtual ones, Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 is included with Parallels Desktop 3.0 Premium Edition. Kaspersky offers "Triple Threat" protection, including automated hourly anti-malware updates, intelligent active heuristics that provide proactive protection to investigate all unknown files and real time behavior analysis for consistent monitoring of a system's activities for any malicious behavior.
* Fast, Easy Backup with Acronis True Image 11 Home Acronis True Image 11 Home is the latest version of Acronis' award-winning backup and disaster recovery software. With Acronis True Image Home, users can easily back up individual files on their Windows virtual machine or take an entire image of their Windows virtual computer. Backups can be scheduled to run automatically at any interval and can be stored on external drives, DVDs and off-site computers via FTP.
* Simplified Disk Management with Acronis Disk Director Suite Acronis Disk Director Suite provides the ability to resize, move, copy, split and merge virtual disk partitions without losing data. It includes a boot manager that allows users to boot other operating systems, such as Linux, inside their Windows virtual machine.
"Maintaining and securing a Windows virtual computer is every bit as important as it is for a physical computer," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO, SWsoft. "We are pleased to work with Acronis and Kaspersky to make it easy and affordable for our Mac customers to protect, backup and customize their Windows virtual machines."
Pricing and Availability
Now available at www.parallels.com/en/shop/online, as well as in Apple Stores and select retailers nationwide and via Authorized Parallels Partners, Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac Premium Edition costs $99.95.
Current Parallels Desktop 3.0 customers will receive the Leopard-compatible build as a free automatic update starting today. Customers can also download the update manually at www.parallels.com/products/desktop/download .
I've been running Parallels 3.0 on my Leopard iMac and it is by far the best application available on OS X in my opinion. Parallels is constantly being updated, optimized, and Windows flies using Parallels. If you have Mac, Parallels is a must have.
Labels: parallels
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 12/05/2007 10:13:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
Parallels also announced a special Leopard-related offer . From now through November 6th, 2007, new customers who purchase Parallels Desktop 3.0 will receive a $20 Apple Gift Card from Parallels good toward future purchases. Existing customers who upgrade from Parallels Desktop 2.5 to Parallels Desktop 3.0 will receive a $10 Apple gift card.
Faster and More Feature-Rich
The new beta version substantially improves Windows Vista and Windows XP performance and offers several features and enhancements that further blur the lines between Windows and Mac applications -- making the choice to switch to a Mac easy.
Highlights include:
- Parallels Transporter, which enables users to migrate their entire PC system to a Parallels virtual machine, now supports the migration of Windows from a Boot Camp partition to a Parallels virtual Disk Image. Using this tool, a user can safely migrate from a static Boot Camp partition to an expanding Parallels virtual machine, saving gigs of hard drive space.
- Complete integration with Spaces, Leopard's new multi-desktop tool. Users can use Coherence across multiple spaces, or work with OSes in full-screen mode in an individual space.
- Improved 3D performance provides users with a better 3D graphic experience for both DirectX and OpenGL games and applications.
A complete list of new features is available at www.parallels.com/products/desktop/beta .
Labels: parallels
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 10/29/2007 05:54:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
The update, which is free for all registered Parallels Desktop 3.0 customers, includes several new features, updates and enhancements that make running Windows and Mac software at the same time on a single Intel-based Mac easier and more seamless than ever before:
* Seamless Look and Feel: Coherence, Parallels' innovative view mode that lets users run Windows applications like they are native Mac applications, now offers full integration with OS X's "Expose" feature. This means when expose is activated, each Parallels Coherence window will appear as a separate Window, displayed with its full contents, enabling users to select a Windows application individually. Coherence windows also "stack" in any order with Mac applications and offer drop shadows, just like native Mac application windows. Individual Coherence windows can also be minimized to the Mac application dock.
* Mirrored Desktops, Documents and Media: Users can set their Windows Desktop as well as their "My Documents", "My Pictures", and "My Music" folders to automatically mirror their Mac OS X desktop and the "Documents", "Pictures", "Movies" and "Music" folders located in the Mac home directory. This ensures that important files are at the ready regardless of which Windows or Mac application the user is currently working with. Parallels Shared Folders can also be mapped to Windows letter drives for easier access.
* More Powerful Parallels Explorer: Parallels Explorer, which enables users to view and modify the contents of their virtual machine (VM) hard disk while the VM is off, now recognizes suspended VMs. Users can also choose to automatically mount a VM hard drive to their OS X desktop as a drive that's readable and writable even if the VM is off. This gives users the ability to access files inside their VMs instantly and at any time, without opening Explorer, for increased flexibility and productivity.
* Superior Performance and Lower Overhead: Real-world workload performance has been substantially improved, especially in high stress situations like OS startup and shutdown. This release includes improvements in resource usage, particularly CPU utilization. Users can now also allocate up to 2GB of RAM to an individual virtual machine. Windows Vista performs faster and more smoothly than in previous builds.
In-depth information on the update's new features and major improvements, plus videos and screenshots of key features in action, are available at http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/screens&demos .
Labels: parallels
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 9/12/2007 08:39:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Contact Jimmie Geddes here: gadgetsonthego at gmail dot com.
