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DESCRIPTION
Parallels Desktop gives Mac users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X on any Intel-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook or MacBook Pro.
According to performance research conducted by Crimson Consulting Group, Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac performs 22% faster than the nearest Windows-on-Mac competitor in standard productivity testing of Windows 7 64-bit on a MacBook Pro. In addition, version 5 is up to 300% faster for virtual machine operations than the previous version. For 3D and graphics performance, tested under the industry standard 3Dmark 2006 Professional test suite the new version performs up to 7 times better.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 5.0 introduces more than 70 new features and enhancements, offering a computing experience that is: Faster... - Full support for Aero in Windows Vista and 7 through Windows WDDM driver, including Aero Flip 3D
- Virtual machine size automatically optimized for best performance with Parallels Compressor
- Improved performance for Linux guest OS from KVM paravirtualization
"The excellent 3D graphics performance of Parallels Desktop for Mac makes it Autodesk's preferred Mac virtualization software for customers who choose to run AutoCAD or our other design and engineering software on the Mac," said Andrew Mackles, Director of AutoCAD Product Management at Autodesk. "We are excited about the further graphics enhancements in Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac and the potential to improve the customer experiences." Smarter... - A more Mac-like experience in their Windows applications through Apple Trackpad Gestures technology (pinch, swipe, rotate and more), horizontal scrolling and the application of Full Screen active corners and curl page effect
- Copy & Paste fidelity for formatted text and complete layouts including images, even between Windows and Linux guest OSs
- Freedom and flexibility to run Windows and Mac applications across multiple monitors
More Powerful... - 7 times better graphic performance for games and 3D applications than the previous version with Direct X 9Ex with Shader Model 3 and OpenGL 2.1 support
- Superior graphics performance for Linux guests through OpenGL 2.1 support
- Full hardware resources can be utilized with support for 8 virtual CPUs, 64 bit Windows and Snow Leopard Server 64 bit
- Easily move PCs (including Windows 7) and 3rd party virtual machines to the Mac with the enhanced Parallels Transporter
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later.
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| Parallels Desktop User Reviews (352 posts) | Write A Review |
 | Nov 5 2009 |
CARLOS-SZ I have an iMac 20, 2.66 GHz, 4 GB RAM and an ATI video card. I purchased VMware 3 due Windows 7 Aero support (I need Aero due a software I develop). It works but a bit slow and with some screen flickering (e.g. when open Windows start menu or playing with iTunes 9). Now Im trying Parallels 5 and I imported my Windows 7 VM from VMware. Everything works faster and without any screen flickering. Im impressed how better Parallels is in my iMac and Ill probably ended up purchasing it.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 5 2009 |
ORION MK. V Excited about v5. I've been a fan since version 3 of Parallels -- it's worked flawlessly for Windows XP for years. Now that I'll be moving to Windows 7 soon, v5 sounds like a winner. As is always the case with an all new version of Parallels, it's good to wait a week or two for a patch that fixes that "newness" problems.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 5 2009 |
BUBBAMAC V5 runs fine for me and appears to run faster than V4 and the new Fusion. The only issue I have is on Win7 (which was running fine on V4), the network icon says that the network is disconnected (it is not) and Aero is not working. The wizard to fix Aero said that Desktop Window Manager wasn't running which is why Aero wasn't working; and the wizard supposedly fixed the issue, but it did not. Wizard says the same thing every time I run it. And Desktop Window Manager service is running and nothing in the Eventlog relating to Aero, Themes, etc. Speedwise, however, I'm very happy. This is using V5 to boot Win7 off of my Bootcamp partition.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 6 2009 |
BUBBAMAC Networking issue was a little snitch issue. Aero issue is due to OS X drivers limitations 3D acceleration support is limited on Tiger with any graphics card and for Intel graphics on all systems. This makes official Aero support impossible. You may try some hack though. It is possible to force Aero compatibility at the cost of possible 3D problems. In virtual machine properties select Hardware tab and Boot Order. Type in "video.dx_profile=6 The above hack worked on my Late 2006 macbook.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
 | Nov 5 2009 |
DRG I couldn't get this version to run. It hangs the minute I launch it. I tried to reinstall it, uninstall and reinstall without success. I even repaired my permissions and tried to reinstall. No go. Went back to V4 and all is okay. Anyone else have this problem?
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 5 2009 |
KENTR No problem here. I imported version 4 drive and it converted immediately. You may some other issue going on with your system.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
 | Nov 5 2009 |
ANDU After upgrade from Parallels Desktop version 4 to version 5 Windows XP virtual machine fails to boot. Blue Screen of Death is displayed http://kb.parallels.com/6873 The BSOD happens due to multiple CPUs assigned to the virtual machine. Please decrease the amount of CPUs down to 1. 1. Shut down your virtual machine if it is running now. 2. Click on Parallels Desktop top menu > Virtual machine > Configure or on Configure button on virtual machine panel. 3. Switch to General tab and in Processors drop-down list set virtual machine CPU number to 1. 4. Press OK to save changes and start the virtual machine. This time it should boot normally. 5. Login and wait while Parallels Tools are being installed. You can also try to remove Floppy Disk from virtual machine's configuration (Virtual Machine > Configure... > Hardware tab > Floppy Disk; press [-] to remove it). After Parallels Tools are installed, it is safe to return the previous CPU amount.)
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
| Nov 5 2009 |
DRG I couldn't get that far. Parallels Desktop five won't even open at all.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
| Nov 5 2009 |
KENTR Version 5 is the best version to date and still leaves the competition behind. This is the smoothest, fastest most compatible version yet. Crystal mode is great, it's like you're not even using Windows. I like the new Mac Theme look, it reminds me of a theme from the old Kaleidoscope program. It changes all Windows screens and folders to be more Mac-like. Being able to switch views just by clicking the top left corner of the screen is brilliant. This version is more polished than previous versions. Just to be fair I have tried the new demo of Fusion and it still cannot even run some of the simplest games and programs. The programs either crash or the graphics are slow and choppy. The thing that sets Parallels 5 from all others is compatibility. It has been able to run just about every program and game that I've thrown at it. Parallels has this virtualization thing down. I will be upgrading to version 5.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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 | Nov 5 2009 |
FUHAYER i use macbook pro 13.3 but this could not see airport, sound driver and display card. VM had all drivers. do we need to install these drivers by searching net for them ? i could not understand anything with this.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 5 2009 |
LEONLEDRAGON Could they find a most complicated version number ??? I have both licenses - but i prefer VW they are more sober - less CPU usage - more simple interface...
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 5 2009 |
GAVXYZ The upgrade this time (from 4 to 5) was much smoother ... of course from 3 to 4 I did decide not backup ... never again! So far so good, and performance seems to be better.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 5 2009 |
DANMARC Just upgraded yesterday so no review but the upgrade for me was veeeery smooth with no hassles. I do not run anything seriously important on my Winz part so decided not to backup and it was very smooth. So far so good.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
| Nov 5 2009 |
DRG I tried to upgrade from V4 and the darn program would hang the minute I launched it. Tried reinstalling, repairing permissions, uninstalling then reinstalling with no resolution. Finally uninstalled again and reinstalled V4 and it works fine. Has anybody else had this problem? Under the circumstances, I guess I won't be upgrading, saving $$$.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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| Nov 4 2009 |
HAMMO As usual for me, this Parallels upgrade has been very smooth and I'm already seeing a general improvement in the functionality and speed. Been using the product since first release without any of the incidents that seem to have plagued others.
(Version 5.0.9220.531002) | |
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