Parallels 4 Preview

ByMike Moffit

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for the Mac was released at the beginning of this week. Parallels is the very popular virtualization software that allows you to run Windows or Linux next to Mac OS X on an Intel Mac. With Parallels, you don’t have to reboot your computer every time you need to run Windows as Boot Camp requires.

We sell many copies of Parallels. At only $69.99 (plus the cost of Windows, if you don’t already own a Windows disk), it is an essential app for many users who are stuck with Windows-only software.

Parallels Desktop 4 is reported to be 50% faster than Parallels Desktop 3.0. Graphics support is improved, more OS’s are supported (including OS X 10.5 Leopard Server and “experimental support” for OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard), and Parallels now recognizes up to 8GB of RAM and eight CPUs.

Other new features:

  • Manage Windows VMs via the iPhone
  • Direct X 9.0 and OpenGL 2.0 support
  • Support for up to 256MB of video RAM
  • Parallels Virtual Appliance support
  • Save screenshots across operating systems
  • Includes $175 in Bonus Windows Security and Management Software

Parallels Desktop 4.0 is $69.99. Click here to see this or check out a video demo of Parallels Desktop 4.0 here.

Click here for a PDF data sheet.

NOTE: According to Parallels, some existing Anti-Viruses like McAfee and Symantec are not playing well with the Parallels upgrade. A conflict happens with users have an Anti-Virus program installed on their Virtual Machine and then install the free 12 month Parallels/Kaspersky Internet Security Suite that comes with Parallels Desktop 4.0.

People upgrading to Parallels Desktop 4.0 with an Anti-Virus program installed (other than Kaspersky), they must either:
1. Not install the Parallels Kaspersky Suite when they are asked, or
2. Turn off or remove their existing Anti-Virus before installing the Parallels/Kaspersky internet security suite.

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