| Linux-on-Mac package goes gold |
Jun. 08, 2007
Parallels today said it is shipping the final version of its virtualization software, Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac, for Intel-powered Apple Macs. The software aims to enable users to install and run Linux or Windows alongside Mac OS X on their Mac desktops without rebooting.
Version 3.0 incorporates new support for 3D graphics -- namely, the OpenGL and DirectX graphics libraries, a Parallels spokesperson said. This allows Windows 3D games and CAD programs, for example, to be used on on Intel-powered Macs.
About 50 improvements have been made in v3.0 since the software's original launch in February, the spokesperson said. For example, the "SmartSelect" function enables users to use OS X or Windows applications to open any file type, regardless of whether that file is on the Mac or Windows desktop, the spokesperson said.
The upgrade also includes an improved security feature that takes a virtual snapshot of the computer's memory, hard disk drive and various settings to revert back to in the event of a system malfunction. It's also useful for installing temporary beta versions of new software, Parallels said.
Other features, as listed by Parallels, include:- Plug-and-play USB 2.0 support -- By upgrading USB support from 1.1 to 2.0, users can now access popular USB devices like external hard drives, printers, and scanners, and use them at full native speed, simply by plugging the device into their Macs.
- Full-feature virtual CD/DVD drive -- Users can burn CDs and DVDs directly in virtual machines and play any copy-protected CD or DVD -- just like on a real PC.
- Support for Boot Camp partitions -- The update gives Boot Camp users the ability to easily run their entire Boot Camp installation, directly in a Parallels virtual machine, without any complex setup or manual reconfiguration. Users can switch between loading Windows in Parallels Desktop or Boot Camp as often as they'd like.
- True "Drag and Drop" -- Easily share files between Linux, Windows and OS X by dragging documents and folders from one desktop to another.
- Compatible with Windows Vista -- Users can create a new virtual machine that runs Windows Vista, or upgrade a Windows XP virtual machine to a Windows Vista virtual machine, without losing any information or starting from scratch.
A complete list of features and improvements found in Parallels Desktop for Mac is available here.
Availability
Parallels Desktop for Mac is immediately available, priced at about $80. The company offers a free 15-day trial on its website, here.
You can see a YouTube video of the Parallels desktop in action here.
-- Chris Preimesberger
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