Parallels’s new Desktop 10 lets you run Windows, Linux and more virtually on your Mac, launching MS Office nearly 50pc faster, lowering memory usage, taking less disk space and delivering up to 30pc better battery life with full OS X Yosemite integration.
The Mac world’s most popular virtualisation software for running alternate operating systems, Parallels Desktop, has reached version 10, promising greatly improved ease-of-use for Mac-owning businesses and consumers needing access to Windows applications.
Available for Parallels 8 or 9 upgraders for $54.95 from
Parallels’ online store today, the full version goes on sale for $89.95 in other online stores from August 26 and in Australian retail stores from August 27. A fully featured Student Edition is also available at the discounted price of $54.95.
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A few of the new features include:
– Opening Windows documents up to 48pc faster
– Battery life extended by up to 30pc
– Virtual machines use up-to 10pc less Mac memory
– New virtual machines with default settings launch Office 2013 applications up to 50pc faster
– Virtual machine only takes as much disk space on the Mac hard drive as it needs
– Real-time optimisation automatically compacting virtual disk eliminates need for periodic manual compacts
– Free Disk Space Wizard allows to review and clean up space used by Parallels Desktop and Virtual Machines
– New Parallels Control Center: a one-stop-shop for managing Parallels Desktop from a single place
– Streamlined Windows installation, with new ways to configure virtual machines
– Regional settings from the Mac are now set by default in Windows virtual machines
– A new ‘one click’ wizard letting users select from a number of choices to optimise their virtual machine based on what their primary usage is: productivity, games, design or development
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| Parallels ‘Coherence Mode’ allowing the Windows interface to smoothly co-exist within the Mac desktop. |
Parallels President, Jack Zubarev said: “Millions of Parallels Desktop for Mac customers have come to expect ingenuity, ease of use and speed from Parallels and they will not be disappointed with Parallels Desktop 10.
“With Parallels Desktop 10 customers can enjoy new levels of productivity without having to worry about whether the app they need is available on a specific operating system – Parallels creates a world of compatibility at home, work and on the road.”
The new software brings many of the announced features of the upcoming free Mac OS X Yosemite upgrade to Windows and Windows applications, supporting iCloud Drive and Photo Library, right-click on a number to call with iPhone, iMessages and SMS text sharing from Windows, and control of virtual machines from Spotlight preview and Finder QuickLook.
New ease-of-use improvements include Wizards that guide users through optimising their experience, improved performance and battery life, and improved usability between operating systems so that people can complete tasks more quickly.
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| Parallels running Windows 8.1 in a window, with a virtualised version of Mac OS X Mavericks in another window. |
The Company says its software “gets out of the way so customers can think less about the tools being used and more about what’s important”, while offering “the choice and freedom to use whatever operating system fits your needs – including OS X Yosemite, OS X Mavericks, Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Windows 8, Windows 7, Chrome OS, Android and a number of Linux operating systems – all on one computer.”
Parallels has also launched a new
Mac Enterprise Edition, promising “the best way to provide Windows applications on Macs in a corporate environment”, giving IT managers the ability to “support Windows applications for Mac users with a configurable, policy-compliant solution that easily fits into existing IT business processes”.
New features let administrators select and enforce a USB device policy, install OS X guests using a NetBoot image from a server on the corporate network, encrypt OS X virtual machines with the help of the FileVault encryption feature built into OS X, and check the status of licenses and reclaim seats directly, adding centralised administration and management capabilities as well as enhanced security to keep IT in control of virtual machines.
Click to enlarge – The new Parallels Desktop Control Centre. |
Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac customers also receive a complimentary three-month subscription to the Parallels Access app for up to 5 Macs and PCs and an unlimited number of iOS and Android mobile devices.
We’ll have a full review of Parallels Desktop 10 in the coming days, but given the improvements that build on the already great experience Parallels Desktop 9 offered in providing a better Windows experience on Macs than is possible on native Windows machines, the irony is clear: your Mac can run Windows better with virtualisation than using it natively on a PC!
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