Parallels adds assistant

Parallels today released Parallels Installation Assistant, a utility to ease the installation process of Microsoft Windows on a Mac. The software comes as part of Parallels Desktop for Mac, the company's solution for running PC operating systems alongside Mac OS X without the need to reboot on any Intel-based Mac. The Installation Assistant provides an easy to use 'Express Windows OS Installation Mode' for Windows XP and Windows Vista that completely automates the virtual machine setup and Windows installation processes. Users select which Windows version they plan to use, enter their name, company information and Windows activation key, and then click 'finish' to begin installing Windows in a pre-designed virtual machine optimized for their version of Windows. From that point on, installation is completely automated and requires no user interaction, according to Parallels. Parallels Desktop is available for $80, and requires an Intel-based Mac with Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later.

After Windows installation is complete, 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 cutting, copying and pasting of data, as well as and file sharing, between Windows and Mac OS X. The Installation Assistant also provides easy setup for other versions of Windows, any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation, and MS-DOS. Users select from two choices: 'Typical OS Installation' mode to create a standard, optimized virtual machine for the selected guest operating system; or "Custom OS Installation" to help build and configure a custom-designed virtual machine to meet exact specifications.

In addition to the Installation Assistant, the new build of Parallels
Desktop for Mac offers Shared Networking, a powerful new networking
mode allowing users connect virtual machines to the internet via a cable modem, LAN, broadband card, Wi-Fi connection, or dial-up modem, without any manual network reconfiguration. Shared Networking enables multiple IP addresses to appear as one IP address on a network, thus allowing users working with internet connections like DSL or Cable modems that are only configured for use with a single IP address to easily connect their virtual machines to the internet. This same feature also effectively hides virtual machines from the outside world, making them far less likely to be the victim of a malicious attack, according to the company.

"Our easy-to-use, automated installation and networking tools make running Parallels Desktop for Mac an even more attractive option for running Windows, especially for non-technical users who simply want to get Windows up and running and connected to the internet with as little hassle and headache as possible," said Benjamin Rudolph of Parallels. "We are delivering on our promise of delivering powerful technology that is simple to use for anyone, even the most non-technical users."

Existing Parallels Desktop for Mac users with auto-update enabled will receive the Installation Assistant and Shared Networking feature automatically. Users who do not have auto-update enabled can manually download them by clicking "Check for Updates" in the "Help" tab of the application menubar, or download them in a single package directly from the Parallels Download Center. Upgrading Parallels Desktop for Mac does not require a re-install of any guest operating systems or any applications. After upgrading, though the company recommends that users re-install Parallels Tools.

by MacNN Staff