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Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac Offers Premium Windows-on-Mac Experience wquick access to all VMs, additional Screenview modes, Clips for screenshots, Speech Recognition, Security Manager, Safe Mode, Shut Down Mode and Over 45 Supported Guest OSs.ith Virtua
Published 11th November 2008
Renton, WA — November 11th, 2008 — Parallels today announced the availability of version 4.0 of Parallels Desktop for Mac, its market-leading product that currently enables more than 1.5 million users to run Windows, Linux and other operating systems side-by-side with Mac OS X. This new version of the award-winning Parallels Desktop for Mac improves OS integration, performs up to 50% faster and incorporates a range of security, backup and power saving features to give Mac users a truly easy, fast and powerful desktop computing solution.
"We run a high volume of Macs and it's absolutely vital that they deliver on fast performance and ease of use. Parallels has met this need well with features like Coherence and SmartSelect in creating a seamless Windows-on-Mac experience," said John Hermes, Chief Technology Officer at Oklahoma Christian University. "Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac builds on this, providing blazing speed and all-round performance through innovations such as the Adaptive Hypervisor, which gives our users the resources they need on the fly; and advanced graphics support, which provides a very smooth experience."
Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac introduces support for DirectX 9, DirectX Pixel Shader 2.0 and OpenGL 2.0, providing fast video performance, while the Adaptive Hypervisor dynamically allocates resources to meet user needs. The responsiveness to all applications is further enhanced as the virtualization engine has been optimized to consume 15-30% less resources than previous versions.
“Parallels is committed to continuing the innovation that has resulted in Parallels Desktop for Mac winning more than 30 major awards and being a premier Windows-on-Mac virtualization product,” said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels. “With version 4.0, we're delivering an advanced solution that is easy, fast and powerful – with industry-leading tools and utilities included at no extra cost.”
Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac addresses two other primary user concerns: security and backup. The software offers users peace of mind through Parallels Internet Security powered by Kaspersky for anti-virus, firewall, scanner, recovery, filtering and identity protection as well as Acronis True Image Home backup and restore and Acronis Disk Director Suite. These three additions to Parallels Desktop represent $175 in extra value along with a more complete user experience.
"Mac OS X is the world's most advanced operating system and its ability to run Windows on a Mac is yet another reason users are switching to the Mac at a rapid rate," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "This rapid adoption is supported by applications like Parallels Desktop for Mac, which enables users to get the most from their hardware."
Parallels Desktop 4.0 offers a computing experience that is:
• Easy – Get easy access to all your applications and data while enjoying the full Mac experience with Improved Windows and Mac integration, True Drag & Drop and Copy & Paste, SmartX Technologies and Built-in Installation and Migration Tools.
• Fast – Experience the fastest speed for all applications with Adaptive Hypervisor, FastLane Architecture, up to 8 way SMP and 8 GB RAM plus 64-bit support for each VM, HyperBus and support for DirectX 9.0, DirectX Pixel Shader 2.0, and OpenGL 2.0.
• Powerful – Get a complete suite of essentials for Internet security, data protection and disk management with Parallels Internet Security powered by Kaspersky, Acronis True Image Home backup and restore, SmartGuard, PowerSaver, Full-hardware ACPI support and Acronis Disk Director Suite disk management.
• Developer and Enterprise Ready – Additional features specifically for Developers and IT administrators include Mac OS X Leopard Server and Windows Server OS support, VM Directory, CLI and Scripting support, SDK and API, remote control from iPhone, PXE Boot, improved networking and VM Templates.
With more than 50 new features, additional highlights include a redesigned user interface with
Availability and Pricing
Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is available in English and localized versions will soon be available in Chinese, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Polish and Russian.
The standard retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is £49.99 including VAT. New users can test a free, fully-functional copy for 15 days. Current Parallels Desktop users can upgrade their existing software for only £24.99 including VAT – a 50% off promotional price available until November 30, 2008. After 30 November, the price for upgrade will be £31.99. Users that purchased version 3.0 on or after September 1, 2008, qualify for a free upgrade to version 4.0.
Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is available immediately at Amazon, and high street and online Apple Stores.
Volume pricing and site-license opportunities are also available for new customers by contacting the Parallels Sales Team at uk.sales@parallels.com or on 020 7060 0880.
In-depth information on Parallels Desktop 4.0’s new features and major improvements, as well as videos and screenshots of key features in action, are available at www.parallels.com/products/desktop.
About Parallels – Optimized Computing
Parallels is a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software that optimizes computing for consumers, businesses, and service providers across all major hardware, operating systems, and virtualization platforms. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with 800 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.