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Parallels Debuts Switch to Mac Bundle

August 26, 2009 by Robin Wauters 1 Comment

Parallels today unveiled a complete solution designed to simplify the process of “switching” from a PC to Mac. Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition empowers users to effortlessly make the move to Mac without the risk of losing familiar and important data and applications on their Microsoft Windows-based PCs.

The product combines a set of easy-to-use tools and interactive tutorials with Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac to help “Switchers” understand how to operate Mac OS X, transfer all PC data and applications, and seamlessly run their Windows applications on their new Macs.

Switching from PC to Mac is on the rise: analyst reports on operating system market share show that Mac OS X market growth comes at the expense of Windows’ market share. While the overall PC industry saw declines of 3% for the quarter ending in June 2009, Apple sales were up 4% year over year. According to Apple’s Q309 report, half of the Macs sold were to customers who had never owned a Mac before.

Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition is an industry-first solution that addresses the challenges facing prospective PC-to-Mac Switchers:

Learning Mac OS X — The Switch to Mac learning tools are designed to specifically address any questions or concerns associated with the transition from Windows to Mac. More than two hours of interactive video tutorials help users learn the new interface and functionality of the Mac platform step-by-step, starting with the Mac equivalent of tasks performed on Windows. A quick reference card identifies the most common Windows and Mac command/function differences and puts the correct keystrokes at users’ fingertips.
Making the Move — Also important to new Mac users is getting files and media from their old computer to their Mac. Parallels recognizes that many people need help with this process, and developed a “plug and click” method that moves the entire PC (licensed operating system, applications, files and data) to the new Mac. This includes the Parallels High Speed USB Transfer Cable that connects the two machines and the Enhanced Parallels Transporter: simple, wizard-driven software that walks the user through the move in a few easy clicks. The seamless Mac user experience now starts on the PC side.
Running Windows and Mac side-by-side — Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition includes Parallels Desktop for Mac 4.0, the number one Mac system utility, currently used by more than two million people to run Windows side-by-side with Mac applications. This award-winning virtualization software provides a fully integrated seamless experience, offering users the greatest stability and performance available for running Windows on a Mac, as recognized in 3^rd party industry benchmarks³. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac incorporates a range of security, backup and power saving features to give Mac users the easiest way to run Windows on a Mac.

Parallels Desktop 4.0 Switch to Mac Edition is available from today at Apple stores, at Apple.com and through other preferred retail partners in English, German and French. The suggested retail price (SRP) of the product is $99.99.

OpenOSX Releases WinTel 3.0, Speeds Up Virtualization Performance

June 12, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

OpenOSX Thursday announced WinTel version 3.0, the company’s Windows, Linux and other OS virtualization solution for Mac OS X.

WinTel is an application that allows host operating systems (and applications) such as Microsoft Windows and Ubuntu Linux to run in protected, virtual environments within windows on Mac OS X. WinTel’s new virtualization performance is comparable with the performance of VMWare’s Fusion and Parallels Inc.’s Parallels Desktop software.

According to OpenOSX, the update allows users to run most of the instructions of the virtual machine natively, drastically increasing performance in the process. The firm said performance was comparable to VMWare’s Fusion or Parallels.

The OpenOSX WinTel product is available immediately for US$30 plus shipping delivered on CD-ROM, with download-only delivery available for US$25.

You Can Now Sign Up For The Beta Of Parallels’ Windows 7 Migration and Integration Solution

May 4, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Parallels last week invited consumers and businesses to sign-up to beta test a solution that enables users to easily migrate to Windows 7 and run legacy Windows programs side-by-side with Windows 7 applications. This product simplifies migration to Microsoft’s next client operating system (OS), rumoured to be released in late 2009.

Interest in Windows 7 is already significant, with Microsoft committing to support at least 2.5 million users in the beta tests of the new OS. However, experts predict that many users who upgrade will encounter compatibility issues preventing them from running popular existing applications like Roxio 2009, AOL Instant Messenger and many custom business applications.

Parallels addresses this compatibility challenge with a product that leverages its experience of serving more than 2 million users worldwide with desktop virtualization solutions that offer the greatest stability and performance available.

“There is a great deal of anticipation for Windows 7. However, users who upgrade typically find that critical applications are not yet available for the new operating system,” said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels.

“With market-leading products such as Parallels Desktop for Mac, we have extensive experience of enabling users to run multiple operating environments side by side. This offering for Windows 7 is a natural extension to our established product line. By combining proven technology and feedback from our beta testing community, we will offer users a simple yet high performing way to migrate to Windows 7 and still run critical Windows XP applications.”

Microsoft MED-V Now In Public Beta

January 19, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

In the beginning of this month, we explained the difference between Microsoft’s App-V and MED-V.

Last week, Microsoft announced the release of the public beta of Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V), formerly known as Kidaro Managed Workspace, a solution that is designed to essentially help enterprise organizations run older operating systems and applications on new Windows-based systems.

According to the company, MED-V can be used to give companies more time with their legacy operating systems and software applications while they upgrade their Windows environment. As an example, IT shops can continue to run Windows XP-based applications even while they upgrade to Vista.

Alessandro offers more information.

Release: Vizioncore vOptimizer Pro

January 14, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Vizioncore today announced the general availability of vOptimizer Pro, which enables customers to reclaim over-allocated and unused space in Windows virtual machines. vOptimizer Pro also automates storage reclamation from Windows guest operating systems in order to reduce storage requirements and improve virtual machine performance and was a finalist at the Best of VMworld Awards 2008.

Typically 50 to 80 percent of a virtual machine’s footprint is unused space allocated at the initial point of provisioning. vOptimizer Pro allows customers to reclaim this storage capacity by inspecting the virtual machine’s file system and subsequently resizing the partition while also streamlining the guest operating system. Freespace quotas allow administrators to specify the amount of storage headroom required by different categories of virtual machines. These are rules that can automatically reduce and/or increase volume size.

Vizioncore vOptimizer Pro is now available from Vizioncore’s worldwide channel partner network. vOptimizer Pro is available at an SRP of $299 per socket.

Parallels Launches Updated Version Of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac

January 6, 2009 by Robin Wauters Leave a Comment

Parallels today announced the general availability of an updated version of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac (Build 3810), its market-leading desktop virtualization software for running Windows and more than 50 other operating systems on a Mac. Since its launch in November, more than 300,000 copies of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac have been downloaded. All registered users of this version qualify for the free update, which will be available online and via the product’s AutoUpdater feature. The update results from Parallels’ commitment to constantly enhancing this premium solution to meet the growing demands and requirements of its 1.5 million users.

The Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac update includes new features and enhancements to offer users the easiest, fastest and most powerful way to run Windows on a Mac.

The new update is available free to all registered Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac users. The standard retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is $79.99 for new users and $49.99 for upgraders. New users can test a free, fully-functional copy for 15 days. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is available in English and localized versions including Chinese, Czech, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Polish and Russian. Please check with a Parallels representative for local availability.