Parallels today launched Parallels
Desktop 9 for Mac, which lets customers run
Windows and Mac applications simultaneously on a Mac without rebooting - the
award-winning and No. 1-selling Mac desktop virtualization software for more
than seven years and counting. Innovative and indispensable new features include
cloud storage optimizations for iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive and SkyDrive.
Customers will also enjoy increased productivity with Mac OS X features like
Launchpad in Windows applications and using the upcoming OS X Mavericks. For
Windows 8 users, Parallels Desktop 9 incorporates the familiar and much-missed
real Start menu and Windows Start button. Starting August 29, current Parallels
Desktop users can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac at www.parallels.com/desktop. For new customers, Parallels Desktop
9 will be available for purchase at retail and online stores and via the
Parallels website starting on September 5.
"Parallels
Desktop 9 for Mac customers will enjoy peace of mind knowing that Parallels
keeps pace with and supports leading new technologies, such as the upcoming OS X
Mavericks, Windows 8.1 and increasingly popular cloud services," said Parallels
CEO Birger Steen. "We thank our customers for appreciating our innovations and
making Parallels Desktop for Mac the No. 1-selling software for running Windows
on a Mac for seven years and counting."
Everyone from
business owners, to web developers, IT professionals, Mac enthusiasts, parents
and students will benefit from indispensable conveniences of Parallels Desktop
9, such as improved performance, MacBook Power Nap functionality in Windows and
Windows applications, connecting Thunderbolt and Firewire storage devices to a
Windows virtual machine, improved security features, and increased flexibility
for users with multiple monitors. Parallels Desktop 9 also enhances its support
of Mac gestures inside Windows applications and offers Linux users enhanced
integration with the Mac OS.
Parallels
Desktop 9 also delivers much improved performance for some of the most common
scenarios and operations such as 40 percent improvement in disk performance;
virtual machine startup and shutdown are now up to 25 percent faster; and
customers can suspend their virtual machines in up to 20 percent less time than
before. 3D graphics and web-browsing were also made noticeably speedier with up
to 15 percent improvements for both.
Parallels
Desktop 9 for Mac customers also get an exclusive six-month subscription to the
just-released and critically acclaimed Parallels Access for iPad, a breakthrough
product for people on-the-go that
"applifies" Windows and Mac
applications on a PC or Mac, letting customers remotely access and experience
them as if they were made for iPad. Now people can enjoy native iPad gestures
even in applications not optimized for iPad. With Parallels Access, just tap
right to what you need to get done, in any Windows or Mac application. Mac users
with Parallels Desktop 9 can also enjoy the "applified" experience for their
Windows applications, using Parallels Access from an iPad. Details about
Parallels Access and a free trial are available here:
www.parallels.com/access.
Top
Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac Features
-
Support
for cloud services:
Sync iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive etc., with your Mac and your
Windows virtual machine without unnecessary duplication of files
locally
-
Enhanced
Windows 8 and 8.1 support: Parallels Desktop brings back the
real Start menu and lets customers use Metro apps in a window instead of full
screen
-
Security
Center: Easily
access and install complimentary security software subscriptions to keep the Mac
and Windows virtual machines safe from viruses and malware, all from one
location
-
Enhanced
new Virtual Machine Wizard: It is easier than ever to set up a
new virtual machine, especially on computers that don't have DVD
drives
-
Power
Nap support: On a
Retina MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air, the Power Nap feature now extends to
Windows and Windows apps, so virtual machines and all Windows applications are
always up-to-date
-
Mac
gestures inside Windows apps: Parallels Desktop now includes the
addition of the Dictionary lookup gesture in Windows
applications
-
Thunderbolt and Firewire storage
device support: For
convenience of everyday use, customers can connect those devices directly to a
Windows virtual machine
-
PDF
printer for Windows:
Lets people print from any Windows application to a PDF on the Mac desktop, even
if the application doesn't have that functionality
-
Sticky
multi-monitor setup:
When using Windows in Full Screen mode and connecting to an external monitor,
Parallels Desktop will remember settings and put the Windows virtual machine
back in full screen mode on the remote monitor
-
Custom
keyboard: Editable
keyboard shortcuts help customize the Windows experience
-
Linux
guest integration:
Parallels Desktop customers who use Linux nowhave additional and enhanced
integration with the Mac OS
Availability and
Pricing
Parallels
Desktop 9 for Mac is available beginning Aug. 29, 2013, as an upgrade for
current Parallels Desktop for Mac users. The full version will be available to
new customers on www.parallels.com/desktop starting Sept. 5, 2013. Packaged
software will also be available starting Sept. 5 at Apple retail stores,
Apple.com, Amazon.com, Fry's Electronics, MicroCenter and at other resellers and
retail locations worldwide.
The standard
retail price (SRP) of Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac is US$79.99, and the Student
Edition is available for US$39.99. Parallels Desktop 9 Switch to Mac Edition is
US$99.95. Upgrades are starting Aug. 28 for existing Parallels Desktop 7 or 8
for Mac customers for US$49.99. For a limited time, Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac
customers receive a complimentary six-month subscription to Parallels Access for
the Mac where Parallels Desktop 9 is installed and activated, a $39.99 value.
Details are available online at www.parallels.com/desktop. Parallels Desktop for Mac
subscription offerings including business-class support, ongoing software
updates and major version upgrades for Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise
Edition are available by contacting the Parallels Sales Team at http://www.parallels.com/desktop/volume-licensing.
Customers who
purchased Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac from an authorized reseller on or after
August 15 are eligible to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac at no
additional cost. Customers who purchased from parallels.com or have a registered
product activation key will automatically be emailed instructions on how to
upgrade to Parallels Desktop 9. Details are available at http://www.parallels.com/techguarantee2013.
Parallels
Access for iPad is available for a 14-day free trial; annual subscriptions are
$79.99 for each computer being accessed. The Windows device access capability is
currently in beta with an extended free trial period of 90 days. Additional
information and the app is available online at www.parallels.com/access.
Customers
interested in testing Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac can download a free trial
starting September 5, along with in-depth information, videos and screenshots of
the new features, at
www.parallels.com/desktop.