Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac Adds 3D Graphics, Snapshots, and Improved
Integration between Windows & Mac OS X
New major release includes 50+ new productivity and security features,
enhancements and improvements to help Mac users get more out of Windows and
OS X
Renton, WA – June 7th, 2007 – Parallels, Inc. announced today its release
of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac, a completely new version of its
award-winning software that enables Mac users to run Windows, Linux, and
any other operating system at the same time as OS X on a single Mac
desktop, without rebooting.
The release of Parallels Desktop 3.0, which is the first major update of
Desktop for Mac since the launch of the Parallels Desktop for Mac in June
2006, introduces over 50 new features, enhancements and improvements that
make running Windows and Mac software at the same time on a single
Intel-based Mac easier and more seamless than ever before. As with all
earlier versions, this release fully and automatically utilizes Intel
Virtualization Technology to deliver superior stability and performance
while running multiple operating systems simultaneously.
The release is anchored by SmartSelect, a powerful new feature that lets
users use any OS X or Windows application to open any file type, regardless
of whether that file is on the Mac or Windows desktop. Users can select the
right application to open a file each time via right click, or can set a
default application association to ensure that a given class of file always
opens in a specific application.
For example, if a user sets Word for Windows to be the default application
to work with .doc, .rtf and .txt files, he or she could simply double click
a file with that extension in either OS – even if it is an email attachment
in Apple Mail or Entourage – and instantly open the file in Word for
Windows. A user could also configure SmartSelect to open all hyperlinks
clicked in either OS to open in a Mac web browser, such as Safari or Camino.
SmartSelect is also automatically configured to mount and open Mac .dmg
installer files in OS X, even if they were downloaded in Windows via
Internet Explorer or Outlook, and to automatically open .exe files in
Windows, even if they reside in Mac OS X.
Other major Parallels Desktop 3.0 performance, usability and security
features include:
* Snapshots: An important new security and backup tool that makes
Parallels virtual machines “bulletproof”. Snapshots instantly save the
state of a virtual machine’s memory, settings and hard disk, and revert
back to that instant at any time. This gives users the freedom to make
changes, try beta software, and explore the internet without the risk of
corrupting their virtual machine. If a mishap occurs, the user can revert
back to a VM snapshot with a single click, erasing all changes – including
major system errors – that happened after the snapshot was taken. A
built-in, map-inspired Snapshot Manager helps users manage multiple
snapshots.
* Security Manager: A built in management tool that helps users customize
the level of interaction between Windows and OS X, including how and when
files can be shared between OSes, if “drag and drop” is enabled or
disabled, and when hard disks and devices are mounted and accessible.
* Hardware-Accelerated 3D Graphics: Strong support for OpenGL and DirectX
brings Windows’ vast library of 3D-intensive applications to the Mac.
Without leaving their Mac desktop, users can play popular Windows-only 3D
games such as Quake, Half-Life 2, and World of Warcraft, as well as work
with complex Windows-only 3D CAD programs.
* Parallels Explorer: Without launching Windows, users can view and modify
the contents of their Windows virtual hard drive using Parallels Explorer,
which is included as a free, stand-alone tool with every copy of Parallels
Desktop 3.0. Users can drag files to and from the virtual hard drive, move
or re-name existing files and create new folders.
* Vista Boot Camp Support: Existing Windows Vista Boot Camp partitions, as
well as Windows XP Boot Camp partitions can be run in a Parallels virtual
machine. Users can switch between running Windows in Parallels Desktop and
Boot Camp as often as they would like.
In-depth information on Parallels Desktop 3.0’s new features and major
improvements, as well as videos and screenshots of key features in action,
is available at http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop.
“This new version is an important milestone for us helping computer users
get the best of all operating systems on a single, seamless desktop,” said
Nick Dobrovolskiy, CEO of Parallels, Inc. “With new features that deliver
more flexibility, increased security and peace-of-mind, working with
multiple operating systems has never been easier, safer, or more fun.”
“Parallel Desktop 3.0 for Mac on Intel-based Macs is enabling a new era in
virtualization,” said Doug Fisher, Intel Vice President of System Software
Division. “Users can now run multiple operating systems while enjoying
blistering performance, energy efficiency and powerful resource management
on desktop and mobile computers. This is made possible by Parallel’s
virtualization software that fully utilizes the capabilities of Intel
Virtualization Technology built into Intel CoreT Microarchitecture
processor technologies.”
Continued Momentum for an Industry-Leading Desktop Virtualization Product
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac is a significant upgrade to the award-winning
desktop virtualization product that already powers more than half a million
Macs worldwide. Since its launch one year ago, Parallels Desktop for Mac
has been recognized with MacWorld Magazine’s “Editor’s Choice” Award (the
“Eddy”), PC World Magazine’s “Innovation of the Year” Award, and was the
first non-Apple product to ever win the MacWorld Magazine Reader’s Choice
Award. Parallels Desktop for Mac was also named “Best in Show” at the 2007
MacWorld Expo and in May 2007 was ranked #6 and a “Reader Favorite” on PC
World Magazine’s “100 Best Products of 2007” list.
Availability and Pricing
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac is available for online purchase at
www.parallels.com/en/buyonline, and boxed copies are available at the Apple
Store, Fry’s Electronics, MicroCenter, CompUSA, Amazon.com, Staples, Office
Depot, select Best Buy locations, and hundreds of other retailers
nationwide. The standard retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for
Mac is $79.99. New users are welcome to test a free, fully-functional copy
of Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac for 15 days.
Current Parallels Desktop users can upgrade their existing software to
version 3.0 for only $49.99 – a $30 savings versus buying a new copy. Users
can easily purchase the upgrade by clicking “Check for Updates” in the
Parallels Help menu and following the on-screen prompts. Users can also
purchase an upgrade at www.parallels.com/en/buyonline.
Businesses, schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies
should contact their Parallels Solutions Manager or authorized reseller to
upgrade their organization’s Parallels deployment. Volume pricing and
site-license opportunities are also available for new customers by
contacting the Parallels Sales Team at sales@parallels.com or 425-282-6400.
Distribution of the upgrade will be managed by Parallels’ exclusive U.S.
distribution partner, Tech Data Corporation.
“Tech Data’s AppleAdvantage Specialized Business Unit provides resellers
with a wide range of support for Apple-centric solutions,” said Brian
Davis, Tech Data’s vice president, Systems Product Marketing. “Our
exclusive partnership with Parallels helps strengthen that support by
enabling us to offer the latest virtualization solutions for Intel-based
Macs. Our customers can now leverage Parallels for Desktop 3.0 for Mac to
offer their end users versatile Mac solutions that make the most of OS X
and Windows environments.”
About Parallels
Parallels, Inc., an SWsoft company, builds powerful, user-friendly,
cost-effective server and workstation virtualization solutions for Windows,
Macintosh, and Linux. Headquartered in Renton, Washington, Parallels, Inc.
is a global company that employs a rapidly-growing team of experienced
technical and business professionals. For more information, please visit
www.parallels.com.