Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac (Intel Mac)
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac (Intel Mac)
Manufacturer: Nova Development US
The first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X--without rebooting--on any Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook or MacBook Pro.
The killer app for Mac is now even better than ever!
Parallels Desktop for Mac enables you to run Windows, Linux, and more side-by-side with Mac OS X on any Intel-powered Mac, without rebooting. With Parallels' award-winning virtualization technology, you can run Mac OS X and your favorite Windows applications at the same time. You can even drag-and-drop files between desktops!
The latest release of Parallels Desktop for Mac comes packed with 50+ new features and enhancements, including SmartSelect, Snapshots, and 3D graphics. Learn more about the new capabilities in the latest release of our award-winning product.
Top 5 reasons to run Parallels: | |
 | Run Windows-only applications on your Mac. Many of today's most popular applications are windows-only. Parallels enables you to run these applications on your Mac. Play computer games? Most PC games only run on Windows. With Parallels, you no longer have to sacrifice your favorite games! |
 | Run Selected 3D Games and Applications. OpenGL and DirectX support lets you explore a whole new world of 3D games and applications right on your Mac. |
 | Use any phone, MP3 player, and camera with your Mac. With Parallels, you can use your favorite devices, even if they're Windows-only. Connect your Blackberry, phone, camera, and MP3 player to your Mac! |
 | Run OS X, Windows, and Linux at the same time. With Parallels, you can run all of your favorite applications at the same time, regardless of the OS! No more rebooting to switch between OSes to use the applications you need. |
 | No-worry migrations! Parallels Transporter takes the hassle out of migration. No more losing valuable data, customizing your computer all over again, or reinstalling software. In just a few simple steps, you can move your entire existing Windows system to your new Mac. |
With the latest version of Parallels, you can:
- Use Windows and Mac OS X at the same time... without rebooting
- Run Windows programs like native Mac applications with Parallels Coherence
- New! Open Windows files with Mac programs and Mac files in Windows programs with Parallels SmartSelect
- Share files and folders between Windows and Mac OS X
- New! Browse through Windows folders and access files without launching Windows with Parallels Explorer
- New! Run today's most popular PC games on a Mac with support for 3D graphics
- Achieve maximum performance by leveraging Intel Virtualization Technology
- New! Protect your Windows with Parallels Snapshots
- Migrate your entire existing PC to your Mac with Parallels Transporter
Coherence
With Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac, you can run Windows applications like they were native to your Mac! Experience the new Coherence mode to enjoy the benefits of both operating systems, without managing two desktops. In Parallels Desktop 3.0, Coherence has been enhanced to make running both operating systems simultaneously even easier and more user-friendly.
|
Enjoy the benefits of both operating systems, without managing two desktops. |
Using Parallels Desktop 3.0's Coherence, you can:
- Navigate Windows using the Windows taskbar directly on your Mac desktop
- Hide the Windows taskbar until you need it
- Launch your favorite Windows applications and access the Windows Start menu straight from your Mac Dock
- Use your Windows applications right on your Mac desktop, without resizing Windows itself
- Manage your open documents and files on the Windows taskbar while enjoying your favorite Mac Dock applications at the same time
- View Windows applications in Dock at your convenience! Choose your level of integration from Never, Always, and Only in Coherence.
- Maintain seamless access to all of your Windows and Mac documents, files, applications, hardware, and devices, making your user environment truly hassle-free
- Drag-and-drop files and folders instantly between Windows and Mac OS X
- Choose the best application for your needs, without flipping from one operating system to another
- Prefer Coherence over managing two desktops? Boot your virtual system to Coherence at startup, and truly avoid switching between operating systems.
- Mount your Windows operating system directly on your Mac desktop and enjoy instant access to all of your files, regardless of their OS Enjoy two operating systems while managing only one desktop. Coherence eliminates your having to switch between operating systems to enjoy your favorite Windows and Mac applications. You can almost forget that you're running two OSes!
Transporter
Transporter is a powerful tool that enables you to migrate your entire PC system to a Parallels virtual machine. Migrate your entire PC system, including operating system, applications, files, and personal settings--without losing data or reinstalling any software.
NEW! Now you can convert VMware Workstation/Server and Virtual PC virtual hard disks to a Parallels virtual machine AND migrate directly to your Mac using FireWire!
| Supported OSes * Windows 2000 Transporter Agent--the provider which enables online migration of Windows PC: * Windows 2000 |
Installation Assistant built-in tool
Thanks to Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac's Installation Assistant, installing Windows on your Mac is now even easier than installing it on a PC! This new built-in tool is already included in Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac.
How does it work?
With a powerful, easy to use "Express Windows OS Installation Mode" for Windows Vista and Windows XP, the Installation Assistant completely automates the virtual machine setup and installation of Windows--with almost no user interaction.
Start taking advantage of running Windows on your Mac in just three easy steps:
- Select which Windows operating system you want to install,
- Enter your name, company and Windows activation key,
- Click finish--and let the Installation Assistant do the rest!
After Windows is installed, the Installation Assistant automatically installs Parallels Tools, a free set of useful add-ons that improve networking, video, and sound support, syncs mouse activity and OS system clocks, and enables you to cut, copy, and paste of data, as well as file sharing, between Windows and OS X.
Need to run other operation systems on your Mac?
The Installation Assistant provides improved and user-friendly setup for other versions of Windows, plus any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation, and MS-DOS.
NOTE! If you are already using Parallels Desktop for Mac, updating Parallels Desktop 3.0 does not require a reinstall of any guest operating systems or applications. After updating, you should only reinstall Parallels Tools.
SmartSelect enables Mac users to open any Windows or Mac file with whichever software they choose. |
View the SmartSelect demo! |
SmartSelect
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac's new SmartSelect enables Mac users to open any Windows or Mac file with whichever software they choose--regardless of its original OS! Now you can open Windows files with any Mac software and Mac files with any Windows software.
With support in both Windows and Mac OS X and deep document, email, and web-browser integration between the two operating systems, Parallels Desktop 3.0's SmartSelect frees you to choose the best software for the job, without interrupting your workflow.
Previously, Parallels Desktop users had to copy a file into either Windows or Mac OS X to open the file with the application they wanted. Now, in Parallels Desktop 3.0, you can open any file from either OS and view it with the software of your choice.
With SmartSelect, you can:
- View and edit a file with any compatible PC or Mac software available on your Intel Mac
- Set file-associations to open a file-type with specific Mac or PC software
- Set SmartSelect software settings "on the fly" or as the default
Imagine being able to double-click on a text document in Mac Finder and immediately launch Microsoft Word in Windows. Or synchronizing your digital life by playing all the MP3s in your music library with Mac iTunes--even if the files are located in Windows.
Parallels Desktop 3.0's SmartSelect goes beyond document integration. It also supports email and web browsing. Immediately view a PPT file a colleague sent you in Apple Mail using Windows PowerPoint. Click on any hyperlink in an email or document and have your default web-browser--such as Apple's Safari or Microsoft's Internet Explorer--launch. With SmartSelect, the possibilities are endless.
Snapshots enables you to erase mistakes and recover your virtual machine from system crashes and viruses with the click of a button. |
View the Snapshot demo. |
Snapshots
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac's new Snapshots enables you to erase mistakes and recover your virtual machine from system crashes and viruses with the click of a button. Enjoy peace of mind with Parallels Desktop 3.0's Snapshots.
A complete record of your virtual machine at the state it was created--OS, data, software, and settings--Parallels Desktop 3.0's Snapshots enables you to quickly and easily create and save multiple snapshots, even while your virtual machine is running.
In the event a virus or a Windows system crash, you can conveniently rollback your virtual machine to any previously saved state with all of your data and software intact. (As opposed to losing all of your data and reinstalling Windows and all your PC software.) Additionally, periodically creating a set of backups facilitates faster recovery time to get back on your feet, if disaster strikes.
With Parallels Desktop 3.0's Snapshot Manager, you can manage and view all of your snapshots in a tree pane that includes screen shots for each snapshot. Snapshot Manager enables you to revert back to previous snapshots, delete snapshots, and edit description information for each snapshot.
Snapshots are excellent for:
- Bulletproofing your Windows virtual machine from viruses and spyware
- Creating a regularly scheduled backup to revert your virtual machine to any previous stable state
- Rolling back your virtual machine after a software update, system crash, or software testing
Access your Windows files and folders directly from your Mac desktop without even launching Windows using Parallels Explorer. |
View the Explorer demo. |
Parallels Explorer
Just need that one document? Where did that pdf go? Thanks to Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac's new Parallels Explorer, now you can access your Windows files and folders directly from your Mac desktop, without even launching Windows. With a deeper integration between Mac OS X and Windows, Parallels Desktop 3.0 makes it even easier to run Windows on your Mac.
Using Parallels Desktop 3.0's Explorer, you can:
- Access your Windows files and documents directly from your Mac Desktop
- Browse your Windows system directly on your Mac Dock
- Maintain access to your important Windows documents, even if the virtual machine crashes
- Drag-and-drop files and folders between Windows and OS X
- Save time with direct access to all of your critical files, without having to wait for your virtual machine to start and Windows to boot
- Create and delete files in your Windows system "on the fly"
- Troubleshoot your Windows system for tricky file errors and deleted folders
- ...all without even launching Windows.
Enjoy two operating systems while managing only one desktop. Parallels Explorer eliminates your having to wait for your virtual machine to start and Windows to boot just to access your key Windows files, folders, and documents. Running Windows and Mac has never been easier!
3D Graphics
NEW! Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac now supports DirectX 9 and OpenGL 1.5! No need to dedicate a separate Windows machine to running favorite 3D games and key graphics applications. Parallels Desktop 3.0 now brings the world of Windows 3D straight to your Mac like never before!
With Parallels Desktop 3.0, you can:
- Play Windows-only 3D games, such as Half-Life, World of Warcraft, and Unreal Tournament
- Render in complex 3D CAD programs such as AutoCAD 2008
- Work with CPU-intensive video and sound editing software such as Sony Vegas
- Run mission-critical 3D applications on your Mac
- Enjoy your favorite Windows-only games and graphics applications directly in your Windows virtual machine at full native speed--without rebooting
By including deep support for both DirectX and OpenGL, Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac brings a world of Windows-only key productivity and entertainment software to Mac users for the first time. Now you can truly experience the best of both worlds on one machine!
Lowest Used Price: USD 44.00
Lowest New Price: USD 55.55
- Run Windows and Mac OS applications in a single integrated environment, or mount Your Windows File System and access its files and folders directly from Mac OS
- Windows Start Menu Integration--Click the Parallels icon in the Dock to show the Windows Start Menu
- Support for OS X Leopard--Full support for Apple's next generation operating system when it ships
- Open documents in Mac OS or Windows using any available Mac OS or Windows application
- OpenGL 1.5 / DirectX 8.1 Support--Run supported games and 3D applications at native speed in Windows
Model: 23707
Release Date: 2006-07-17
Parallels and XP, Quite a Team
Last year at this time I was a died in the wool Mac person who believed everything Microsoft came from the dark side. Then along came a program I needed to run and they didn't make a Mac version.
What to do? What to do?
Do I buy a new machine, maybe one of those inexpensive Dell laptops or do I try to run Windows in emulation on my new iMac. I decided to give the latter a try and ordered Parallels and Windows XPfrom Amazon. I installed Parallels without a hitch and when the program asked me to install my Windows' discs I did, followed instructions and I just cannot believe how easily everything went.
But an easy install does not necessarily make for a happy computing experience. It's been several months now and I can't praise XP and Parallels highly enough, because I've had no, none, zero, nada problems with either program on my iMac. They just work. XP has never crashed. Not once. And Parallels has never failed me either.
I've read some of the Parallels reviews and seen that several people are unhappy with their customer support. I've never had occasion to call `em, so I wouldn't know. Likewise with Microsoft, I've never had to pick up the phone, call `em up and ask for help.
I'll admit that most of my work is done in the Mac operating system, but I do use my Windows only database program quite a bit, plus I've also loaded WordPerfect, Corel Draw and Painter a few other Corel programs and they all work swimmingly.
So, three cheers from me for both XP and Parallels. They make quite a team as far as I'm concerned.
Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Like Having Two Computers in One!
In my business, I'm forced to use two Windows-only products: Visio and Project. Rather than buy another PC, I tried Parallels. So far, the product has exceeded my expectations.
The only issue I've had is in using an external USB disk drive. But the solution to the problem of Parallels not recognizing it is simple. It's just a matter of first "ejecting" the disk from Finder, unplugging the disk's USB cable from the Mac, then launching Parallels. Once Windows loads, plug the disk drive back in and all is cool.
Unbelievable to see Windows and Mac side by side
This is, without a doubt, one of the best-conceived applications ever. I recently bought an iMac computer, but still have several applications that run on Windows. I bought Parallels and a nice, clean version of Windows XP Home. Both installed without a problem, and now I have a version of Windows on my Mac that is not laden down with mysterious programs in the start-up routine. It runs better, faster and with fewer glitches than Windows ran on my PC. What's best is that in coherence mode, Windows programs can run right next to Mac programs. You sometimes forget what programs go with which operating system.
Windows, however, is still Windows, so at start-up, you have to wait a few minutes before launching a flurry of applications, since Windows is still grinding away at something mysterious in the background. Thus, I start Windows, and let it run for 5 minutes before opening my first application, and from that point forward, no problem.
I highly recommend this duo to anyone who loves working on a Mac but still has Windows-based programs that must be used.
Excellent product with poor support
First the good -- I've been using Parallels for over 1.5 years now, primarily with Windows 2000 but also with XP, under both Tiger and now Leopard. Excellent integration with OS X makes using it virtually seamless, although normally I run it full screen on one display and OS X on my second display (iMac with additional display). No stability problems or crashing, except as noted below.
The bad -- best support is their user-to-user forums, which they keep fairly hidden. They are slow to repair problems. Early versions had problems with some of my USB devices, although now they all work. Linux support of Parallels went from poor to great back to poor again as they have failed to keep up with advances.
I am happy enough not to switch, or even try, Fusion. I'd suggest that anyone starting out download the 30 day trial versions of both and compare. Start with Parallels -- Fusion apparently will import a Parallels VM which may eliminate Windows re-licensing problems. (I don't know for sure though).
Half-baked - don't waste your time
Parallels Desktop works marginally when running a Windows XP in a virtual machine. If you are planning to use your Boot Camp installation as a VM (as advertised by Parallels), however, it's really not ready for prime time. There are quite a few issues:
- many features described in the product literature do not work if you are using a Boot Camp installation (including some of the most exciting, such as snapshots)
- You can very easily corrupt your installation of Windows XP by doing something "wrong" - for example, hibernating XP inside Parallels and then booting it natively through Boot Camp
- errors that occur when running your Boot Camp installation inside Parallels can easily (and often) prevent you from natively running your boot camp installation. A time-consuming Windows re-install is required.
In summary, this software shows promise and some interesting features, but is not stable enough to trust with anything more than casual use. I would certainly not trust it with any business-critical data again.
Do yourself a favor and read the Parallels Desktop support forums before buying and see what you're getting in to, especially if you intend to use your Boot Camp installation both natively and inside Parallels.
Leave a Reply