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Parallels enhances Windows-on-Mac tool

3D graphics a-go-go

Parallels has released an major update to its Parallels Desktop 3.0 Windows-on-Mac application, a year on from the software's original release. The new version promises better integration between Windows and Mac apps.

Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac
Windows games... in a Mac window

SmartSelect, for example, is a new tool that lets users open a right-clicked file in either the Windows or Mac version of a suitable application - a .pdf file in Mac OS X's Preview or Adobe Acrobat Reader for Windows, for instance.

Parallels 3.0 allows virtual machine states - memory contents, OS settings, drive status etc - to be saved for instant recall in case of later damage to the VM, and a new Security Manager controls the exchange of data between Mac OS X and other operating systems. Windows hard drives can now be explored through Mac OS X.

Folk using Apple's own Boot Camp Windows-on-Mac tool can now transition to Parallels without having to re-install the guest OS - Parallels can use a Boot Camp-created disk partition as a virtual machine.

Finally, gamers will appreciate enhanced support for Windows' 3D graphics technologies, allowing Windows games to be played in a Mac window at rather higher frame rates than before.

Available now, Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac cost $80 from the company's website and Mac retailers. It's also available as a free-to-try 15-day test version.

Latest Comments

No you can't ...

run a Mac in a VM on another machine - well not legally anyway !

There is a project somewhere that claims to have the Mac OS running on generic hardware. It required some fiddling to defeat the kernel code that checks for genuine Apple hardware I believe. Even if it works, it is expressely forbidden by the software licence.

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Vice versa

When will they allow the operation of a Mac VM on a windows box???

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fao chris kimpton

just download the new version and intall it, should work with your existing key

if the pc version is anywhere near as good as the mac version then vmware should be very very scared!!! vmware fusion i know is still beta but parallels has come from pretty much nowhere and taking the mac world by storm.

god bless parallels give vmware a run for its money on the pc dont let them rest on their laurels

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(Written by Reg staff)

Re. the question nobody seems able to answer...

Andrew:

Parallels Desktop 3.0 supports OpenGL 1.5 and DirectX 9, Parallels says.

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MacOS in a VM?

Is there any way of getting MacOS to run in a virtual machine on a Mac?

Parallels can't, neither can VMWare Fusion.

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