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Final Version of Parallels Desktop Released

kevin_4e

By kevin_4e

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Even though Parallel's latest release is nameless and version-number-less, we can nevertheless recognize that it's a step out of beta and into a final version. Accordingly, Parallels "wanted to get Coherence out there as a final version as soon as we could." With the shift out of beta, the new update includes:

  • Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard as the host OS
  • Windows Vista as a guest OS
  • Coherence: the Windows desktop becomes invisible and Windows applications live on the Mac desktop and in the Dock
  • Running from a Boot Camp partition
  • Full USB 2.0, built-in iSight, and DVD/CD writer support
  • True drag and drop
  • Transporter tool for moving an existing Windows installation into Parallels' virtual world
For those of you unfamiliar with one of their newer features, Transporter, here's what Parallels has to say about it:

Transporter is particularly important for users switching from Windows to OS X because it allows them to keep the "security blanket" of their familiar Windows PC while they learn how to leverage the power of their new Macs. It also eliminates the hassle of having to "start from scratch" with a new Windows installation, which for many non-technical users can be a daunting experience.

The new release is currently free to existing users and can be purchased for US$79.99 at Parallel's download page.

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Zulu.Walker

Works well on a Hac with BootCamp using my real WindowsXP SP2 partition. The only noticeable difference in functionality (for me at least) was from Parallels RC1 to RC2 which let me use some windows devices due to increased USB2.0 support. RC3 felt faster at boot, but that could just be me tweaking my os. Yeah, it's just their newest official release, still hoping they could add 3d acceleration. DX9 to CoreVideo? I doubt it but let's wait and see what they can do.

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Ampidire
Works well on a Hac with BootCamp using my real WindowsXP SP2 partition. The only noticeable difference in functionality (for me at least) was from Parallels RC1 to RC2 which let me use some windows devices due to increased USB2.0 support. RC3 felt faster at boot, but that could just be me tweaking my os. Yeah, it's just their newest official release, still hoping they could add 3d acceleration. DX9 to CoreVideo? I doubt it but let's wait and see what they can do.

 

Their plans in the next releases are dual-core compatibility and 3d acceleration, but it seems like those will be pay-for upgrades vs. free upgrades like this one is, or that's how it's being presented at the Parallels forums and through a few of their representative.

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Ampidire
I rather just have a mac and a pc side by side. Its easier that way, and less of a hasel.

 

I've only got one program I use in Parallels, and that's Visual Studio 2005 for my Computer Science classes.

 

I wouldn't want a whole other computer here with me at college just to use one program.

 

I'll be selling and parting out my desktop in order to purchase an iMac or something to complement my MacBook though, or maybe sell the computer to my parents to use; it's a *huge* upgrade from their computers, that's for sure.

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Synaesthesia

Parallels rocks! It works really well, even on my non dual-core, non VT-extensions ordinary Pentium 4 CPU

 

It must be even better on a core 2 duo, which has both!

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exadeath

I enjoy this product, but I'm getting tired of not having Parallels Tools for Linux guests. I as far as I'm concerned it doesn't have to be as complete as Tools for Windows, just mouse and screen resolution support would be great.

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pverstraeten

Hi,

 

The problem with my hackintosh is that when i install the new version of Parallels i have no USB anymore (the USB icon is disabled), this work with the old version of Parallels that has the usb 1.1 emulation.

 

Anybody else has that problem ?

 

Best Regards

P.

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errandwolfe

Nope, no problems with USB right now on the "final" release. That is great news about the dual-core support though. I do a lot of work in my Windows VM, to the point where I run it full time on my secondary display. I bought this program already, but when the time comes for 3D support and dual-core, I will gladly pay again. Programming skill such as this needs to be rewarded! It is hard to believe this product is under a year old.

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EPDM
Hi,

 

The problem with my hackintosh is that when i install the new version of Parallels i have no USB anymore (the USB icon is disabled), this work with the old version of Parallels that has the usb 1.1 emulation.

 

Anybody else has that problem ?

 

Best Regards

P.

Yes I had this too on 3150. I'll let you know if this is any different but I doubt it.

 

Yes I had this too on 3150. I'll let you know if this is any different but I doubt it.

No USB on my hack. Odd this did work on some previous version ;)

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macgirl
Anyone tried on AMD ?

 

Our "old" AMD hack still working ?

I'm running RC3 rather fine so I'll wait a bit for infos before messing up...

it works

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d3p0

It may be worth noting that "Unfortunately, the current version of Parallels Desktop for Mac doesn’t support 64-bit guest OSes."

 

Guess I'll have to reboot to try out Netflix' new Watch it now feature.

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EPDM
Hi,

 

The problem with my hackintosh is that when i install the new version of Parallels i have no USB anymore (the USB icon is disabled), this work with the old version of Parallels that has the usb 1.1 emulation.

 

Anybody else has that problem ?

 

Best Regards

P.

 

I tried version 3188 the latest version not mentioned on the news page yet (dated 7 march). No USB working. The icon is greyed out. Any ideas? Some plist-editing perhaps?

 

Cheers,

 

EPDM

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EPDM
I tried version 3188 the latest version not mentioned on the news page yet (dated 7 march). No USB working. The icon is greyed out. Any ideas? Some plist-editing perhaps?

 

Cheers,

 

EPDM

 

To Mr. Verstreaten: Can you tell me your OSX version?

 

I think I know about why USB doesn't work on our setups. I tried version 3188 (latest 07/03/2007 build) on a friends hackintosh yesterday and both sound and USB work perfectly on his setup.

 

We both use the same mainboards with I915 chipset, similar Intel P4 cpu's (he has the 1MB cache model 530 and I have the 2MB cache model 630), similar gfx-cards (He has a peak Radeon X1600/256 while I have a Saphire X1600/256), he has 1GB Ram and I have 2 GB. But more importantly. He runs OSX 10.4.8 with kernel 8.8.1 and I use an upgraded 10.4.5 to 10.4.7.

 

It could be that USB 2 support is only working in OSX 10.4.8. And that while on previous OS-versions USB1.1 worked this is now broken for older OS-versions.

 

I can't confirm this if I don't know which OSX you use but I think that's where our USB-problems are.

 

In my case I can't/won't revert to 10.4.8 since OpenGL gaming doesn't work with my GFX-card (though my friend has NO problems at all with a simlilar ATI X1600 GFX card).

 

Cheers,

 

EPDM

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defiancex0x

I met some dude when i was working that told me he had a class-action lawsuit against parallels because vista didn't work with it...

 

I guess now his hopes are down :P

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EPDM
To Mr. Verstreaten: Can you tell me your OSX version?

 

I think I know about why USB doesn't work on our setups. I tried version 3188 (latest 07/03/2007 build) on a friends hackintosh yesterday and both sound and USB work perfectly on his setup.

 

We both use the same mainboards with I915 chipset, similar Intel P4 cpu's (he has the 1MB cache model 530 and I have the 2MB cache model 630), similar gfx-cards (He has a peak Radeon X1600/256 while I have a Saphire X1600/256), he has 1GB Ram and I have 2 GB. But more importantly. He runs OSX 10.4.8 with kernel 8.8.1 and I use an upgraded 10.4.5 to 10.4.7.

 

It could be that USB 2 support is only working in OSX 10.4.8. And that while on previous OS-versions USB1.1 worked this is now broken for older OS-versions.

 

I can't confirm this if I don't know which OSX you use but I think that's where our USB-problems are.

 

In my case I can't/won't revert to 10.4.8 since OpenGL gaming doesn't work with my GFX-card (though my friend has NO problems at all with a simlilar ATI X1600 GFX card).

 

Cheers,

 

EPDM

 

To all ppl in here (or should that be "out there"?)

 

I can confirm that while USB doesn't work on some systems with parallels, they work fine with VMWare Fusion Beta2.

 

It seems that they have the edge with regards to compatibility ;-)

 

Parallales on the other hand do have the advantage on the wow-factor as their product just looks slick (and acts slick).

 

Cheers,

 

EPDM

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erconway1943

I think you will find your problem is because it is not automatic in this release. Go to the main menu and select devices. You then click on the USB and you will hear the bong as Windows grabs it. From there on, you should rock.

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Alessandro17

I am looking forward to a more mature release of VMware Fusion, because with Parallels I have had all sort of problems.

VMware has plenty more experience with virtualization.

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