February 27, 2007 7:21 AM PST
Windows-on-Mac software gets virtualization update
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The biggest update to the new version is Coherence, a feature that enables Mac users running Parallels to run and access Windows applications from their Mac desktops via virtualization rather than switching between operating systems.
The feature is activated when a user turns on "Coherence mode," which hides the Windows desktop and integrates Windows applications into the Mac OS X desktop and application dock.
A statement from Parallels called the Coherence feature "completely customizable," stipulating that when Coherence is enabled, users will be able to choose how to load and run Windows applications, as well as select display options for Windows features like the task bar and Start menu.
In addition to the Coherence update, the new version of Parallels includes another new feature called Transporter, which is concerned with simplified virtualization. If a PC owner is switching to a Mac, for example, but wants to keep his or her Windows settings and files intact, Transporter allows the entire software contents and settings of the PC to be moved directly to one of Parallels' virtual machines without needing to reinstall Windows on the Mac.
Transporter's functionality additionally makes it easier for users running other Windows-on-Mac virtualization software--like VMWare Workstation or Microsoft Virtual PC, which is available for older PowerPC-based Macs--to convert those workstations to Parallels-ready virtual machines.
The new version of Parallels Desktop includes several additional updates: It now supports USB 2.0 functionality, Apple's built-in iSight cameras in virtual-Windows mode, drag-and-drop functionality from one operating system to another, and CD- and DVD-burning capabilities.
The software update also includes increased support for Boot Camp, Apple's own software for running Windows on a Mac (though not simultaneously). Boot Camp users who also run Parallels Desktop will now be able to load the same copy of Windows in either program rather than requiring two copies of the operating system.
The new version of Parallels Desktop, like the previous version, sells for $79.99. Existing Parallels customers, however, will have access to a free upgrade.
Parallels spokesman Benjamin Rudolph confirmed that the new software is compatible with Windows' recently released Vista operating system, with one exception: The three-dimensional "Aero Glass" interface is not yet supported because Parallels has not yet built in that kind of graphics capability.
Rudolph added, however, that a future update of Parallels that will support Vista's "eye candy" is "just a few months away."
See more CNET content tagged:
virtualization,
Windows application,
Apple Macintosh,
virtual machine,
workstation
Out of curiosity, why is it there aren't products to port Apple's OS over to a PC? The OS itself can run on a PC- that's been proven many times now, but Apple won't release the OS officially except as a product for their hardware. If Parallels released the Mac on Windows version, would Apple allow it? If they did, would that be fair? If they prevented it, would that be unfair?
Curious to see if the argument works both ways on this one.
This is, really, the main thing preventing OS X from running on
any arbitrary intel box (well, that and EFI which is more common
now). All in all, this is an artificial barrier Apple put in place to
maintain control over the hardware. Its important to remeber
that Apple is a hardware company that sells software. Both are
integrated to the point where slaes of one boost sales of the
other. It really simplifies issues
MS is, for the most part, just a software company and is agnostic
about the hardware. As long as you buy a copy of the software
they are happy. Of course, having to support thousands of
different devices and combinations is where MS runs into a lot of
problems.
Patching wouldn't be much of an issue if OSX wraps itself around the app and the environment, keeping it insulated: You shut off networking on the Windows instance and use the Mac to enforce that, and to handle all the connections (I can do this right now in Virtual PC 7). That alone will knock out the hazards faced by Windows users running their OS online directly.
/P
makes and controls the hardware AND the OS. This makes for a
more reliable machine and allows Apple to do "extra" nice
things:-)
If you put Mac OS on a generic PC, with components and drivers
from multiple vendors, and missing Apple's engineered
technologies, you would end up with a lot of the same problems
you have on a Win-Tel (Windows on Intel chips/PCs).
Macs are a more controlled ("controlled" as in scientific
definition) environment.
Now, instead of having to go out and buy an expensive, bloated security hazard (read: Vista), you can run your fave Windows apps atop a far more secure environment.
/P
You still need to purchase and install the operating system. You can't just use Parallels with the Mac OS to run the Windows applications. That is very clearly stated in the article.
You still need to purchase and install the operating system. You can't just use Parallels with the Mac OS to run the Windows applications. That is very clearly stated in the article.
The virtualization technology enables Mac hardware to host both Mac OS *and* XP/Vista/Linux (whatever else) at the same time. To run Vista apps, you still must buy your own copy of Vista, for example.
Windows applications would continue to run on the Vista hosted OS, NOT on the overrated MacOS.
Mac users must contend with: lower spec hardware; buying TWO os licenses, upgrades, etc; no support for 3D.
DID VIRTUAL PC THEN SLOWLY KILLS IT OFF... (LS)
Parallels Desktop supports Leopard, Vista
Parallels today released a free update to Parallels Desktop for
Mac to enhance its virtualization software with a new installation
assistant tool, shared networking support, and official
compatibility for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The latest release of
Parallels Desktop for Mac also supports Microsoft's recently-
released Windows Vista operating system, adds several
additional features, and repairs numerous bugs. Parallels
Desktop for Mac runs 'guest' operating systems inside a Mac by
allowing that operating system to run alongside Mac OS X,
managing system resources as the two systems co-exist side-
by-side. The latest revision ensures that Solaris guest operating
systems don't hang after suspending or resuming, and includes
an improved Parallels Tools package. Parallels Desktop now
offers full support for OpenBSD 3.8 as a guest operating system,
and ensures that the G4U hard disk cloning tool works in virtual
machines.
The update offers better video output improvement and
acceleration, adds multi interface USB devices support (including
Windows Mobile 2005 devices), and includes isochronous USB
devices support (such as Webcam devices). Keyboard support is
improved in the free update as well, adding recognition for the
eject CD key as well as the difference between left and right
shift, control, and alt/option keys. Parallels Desktop for Mac
adds a virtual disk cache policy option that enables users to
select whether to optimize performance for Mac OS X or a guest
operating system. The latest release fixes the Image Tool, offers
an optimized disk cache policy for suspend/resume, and fixes
suspend/resume functionality with Windows ME guest operating
systems. The free update also includes acceleration for first time
access to shared folders, fixes the clipboard synchronization
tool, and improves sound recording as well as playback
functionality.
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- - - YOU CAN drag and drop info, pix, ETC... from osX to Vista and VICE VERSA
in fact...
if you dont have the START button showing on your desktop you could be running a Win app and not even know it
you just use your program and NOT EVEN CARE if its a Vista app or an osX app
sounds like the best of both worlds to me!!!
Running Windows, it's just another Windows Clone. I have never
experienced any problems with any apps running in Windows on
either my Core Duo iMac or Core Duo MacBook Pro...
- I would rather run Windows on an HP...
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by john55440
February 28, 2007 10:54 AM PST
- Like 98% of the world, I have no interest in the Mac.
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Reply to this comment
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- Lemmings
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by chabig83
February 28, 2007 11:05 AM PST
- Fool
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- Really?
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by Steve Bryan
February 28, 2007 1:16 PM PST
- "I have no interest in the Mac"
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- Build your own before you buy a HP or Dell
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by ralfthedog
February 28, 2007 4:29 PM PST
- Mass market computers (Other than apple) are junk. If you pick your parts carefully you can build a much better system for much less money.
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See all 55 Comments >>Then why are you reading and commenting on an article that
only pertains to people who own a Mac? In the best possible
case this means that you are a troll. I'll let you work out the
other possibilities.