Parallels beta update

Parallels today released a new beta version of Parallels Desktop for Mac that improves the virtualization software's compatibility with Mac OS X Leopard. The revision adds a large performance boost to Windows XP as well as Windows Vista virtual machines, according to Parallels, and fixes very minor issues that cropped up in the final version. The update also allows users to migrate a Boot Camp partition to a Parallels virtual machine using Parallels Transporter. The company is celebrating the launch of Leopard by offering customers who purchase Parallels 3.0 a free $20 Apple Gift Card, while users upgrading from Parallels 2.5 to 3.0 receive a $10 Apple Gift Card. "Its our way of spreading the congratulations around to the entire Apple community." [updated]

Parallels Desktop enables Mac users to run Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista on an Intel-based Mac without the need to reboot. The application uses virtualization to achieve higher speeds than older emulation technology, using Intel's processor to run Windows with its native instruction language.

"Parallels Desktop's 100 percent compatibility with Leopard is key to achieving our goal of ensuring that our products are always ready to exceed the evolving needs of our more than 650,000 customers," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of SWsoft -- the parent company of Parallels. "Apple is a very important partner for SWsoft, and we are pleased that our software has played, and continues to play, a key role in the continued success and growth of the Mac platform."

by MacNN Staff