[expires on=”2/1/2012 + 3 days”]
* Giveaway: Scroll to the bottom for a chance to win a free copy of Parallels Desktop 7 from MacTrast!
[/expires]
Parallels Desktop for Mac has been around as long as my first Intel powered Mac. I purchased Parallels Desktop (I believe it was version 3) on the same receipt as my first Mac. It was a black MacBook, and I was in love. But, my old relationship with Windows still had a hold on me. If not on my heart, then on my pocketbook. I had numerous applications I used with Windows, and even though many of them had versions for Mac, or there were equally good apps that would run under Mac, my billfold wouldn’t allow that for awhile, so I tried Parallels Desktop.
Overview
For those unfamiliar with Parallels Desktop 7, it’s an application you can run on your Mac that will allow you to run Windows and various other operating systems side by side with your Mac applications. (You will need an installation package and a valid license to install and run any Operating Systems inside Parallels Desktop.) It can be set up to run full screen or in a window, and can also run in what Parallels calls “Coherence” mode, where the Windows apps appear on your desktop just as native Mac apps would.
Operation
While Parallels Desktop has always done a satisfactory job running Windows and its applications, they have found ways in each update to improve the integration and performance of the application. Here are a few of the new features in version 7.
- Launchpad support in Lion.
- Full screen support in Lion.
- Windows hard drive now shows up on the OS X desktop.
- Parallels Wizard makes it easier to setup a new virtual machine.
- You can now purchase Windows 7 from within the Parallels Wizard.
- You can now download virtual machines from within the wizard. Available VMs include Fedora, Chrome, and Ubuntu. I even installed a preview version of Windows 8 thru the wizard.
- There is a new version of Parallels Mobile. It now allows access of the VMs from an iPad.
- Seamless printer access, cut, copy and paste is improved.
- Now has the ability to use your Mac’s iSight camera in Windows.
- Improved look and feel for the built-in help system.
For the purposes of this review, I downloaded and installed the Fedora 15 VM that’s available through the wizard. It took less than 15 minutes to download, extract, and install the VM.
All of this was done automatically by the wizard. When it was finished, the Fedora showed up in the list of available VM’s, and with a single click, I was using a Fedora 15 machine. Most users will probably be using Parallels Desktop 7 to run a virtual Windows machine, but it’s great to have the option of running other Intel based operating Systems on your Mac.
Once your virtual machine is installed and setup to your satisfaction, you’ll find its performance is near that of the OS running on an actual PC. Disk access, application speed, and graphic performance is more than satisfactory. I’m not sure I would run any graphically intensive games that have been recently released for the PC on the VM, but for day to day business and productivity apps the VMs provide more than adequate performance.
I had previously purchased the iOS Parallels app, and updated it for this review. The app works smoothly, and allows you to remotely access your Mac, and the virtual machines running on your Mac. It’s a bit of a pain to use a mouse based OS with a touch device, but if you need to remotely access your Mac and its virtual machines, it more than does the job.
Verdict
Parallels Desktop 7 is worth the update, especially for Mac OS X Lion users, and the improved performance and ease of use is well worth the price. The integration with Lion makes using your virtual machines alongside your Lion desktop easier than ever.
If you’re a new Mac user, and you still need to have access to the world of Windows, Parallels Desktop 7 is a great solution, allowing you to move into the world of Mac, while still being able to run any Windows apps you’re still in need of.
Price: $79.99 Full Version, $49.99 Upgrade Version (From Parallels Desktop version 5 or 6). Both versions available online from the Parallels website.
iOS version available on the App Store ($4.99 for a limited time, Standard price will be $19.99 – App Store Link)
Rating: 4/5[rating:4]
Pros
- Virtual machines are easy to install, and they install quickly when using the Wizard.
- Integration with OS X is better than ever, especially with Lion.
- Remote Control of your Mac and your Virtual Machines.
- Performance of the virtual machines has improved each version.
Cons
- A discount on Windows 7 would be nice when buying it through the Wizard.
- Installation of Parallels Tools on some of the Linux Based VMs would hang.
[expires on=”2/1/2012 + 3 days”]
Giveaway
Parallels is a fantastic piece of software, and every Mac user should have the chance to try it out. As such, we’re giving away a copy of Parallels Desktop 7 to one of you, our fantastic readers!
To enter the giveaway, simply post the following message on Twitter:
Enter to win a Copy of Parallels Desktop 7 from @MacTrast and @ParallelsMac! Details: http://mctr.st/z3MFaB #MTParallels
To be eligible to win, you must follow @MacTrast and RT the message. The giveaway will run through today and tomorrow, and a winner will be announced on this post on Wednesday morning. Location doesn’t matter – we can send your prize anywhere in the world!
Good luck!
Winner!
Congratulations to @felicia, the winner of our Parallels Desktop 7 giveaway! Didn’t win? No worries – there’ll be plenty of giveaways coming in the near future!
[/expires]
I really like parallels but use it, VMware and virtualbox.
I find that parallels has the best seamless mode (coherence) but VMware seems to work better in windowed mode.
I spend 90% of my vm work in parallels and 10% in the others
Looks like everyone needs windows.
Highly recommend the bundle from http://www.macsuperbundle.com/ for $49 that includes Parallels Desktop 7. How these guy’s can offer all of the software they’re offering for such a little amount I’m not sure. Was going to pay significantly more to upgrade the previous version of Parallels that I’d been using.
Yup – we’re actually promoting that bundle as well! http://www.mactrast.com/2012/02/stacksocial-mac-superbundle-featuring-parallels-7-nearly-500-of-mac-software-for-just-49/
108060 882075The electronic cigarette uses a battery and a small heating factor the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled 6386
556266 47405There is noticeably a lot of dollars to recognize about this. I assume youve made certain good points in features also. 24682
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look
of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content!
Thanks in support of sharing such a pleasant idea, piece of writing is
pleasant, thats why i have read it fully
When someone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the idea of a user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it.
Therefore that’s why this piece of writing is amazing.
Thanks!
We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
Your website offered us with useful information to work on. You have done an impressive process and
our entire group shall be grateful to you.
I like what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
Hi there! This blog post could not be written much better!
Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to send this
article to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read.
Thank you for sharing!
I relish, result in I found just what I was having a look for.
You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great
day. Bye
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This sort
of clever work and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated
you guys to my own blogroll. quest bars http://tinyurl.com/49u8p8w7 quest bars
It’s awesome to pay a quick visit this website and reading the views of all colleagues about this article, while I am also eager of getting knowledge.
scoliosis surgery https://0401mm.tumblr.com/ scoliosis surgery
Hello there, I found your website by way of Google whilst searching for a similar matter, your web
site came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply turned into aware of your weblog via Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I am gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you happen to proceed this in future.
Lots of people shall be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
ps4 games https://j.mp/3z5HwTp ps4
I do not even know the way I ended up here,
however I believed this submit was once great.
I don’t realize who you’re but certainly you are going to a
well-known blogger should you are not already. Cheers!
cheap flights http://1704milesapart.tumblr.com/ cheap flights
I like the helpful information you provide
in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I am quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next! scoliosis surgery https://coub.com/stories/962966-scoliosis-surgery scoliosis
surgery
62569 180628Hmm is anyone else encountering difficulties with the pictures on this blog loading? Im trying to figure out if its a dilemma on my end or if it is the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. 861842
567627 867408I believe other site owners really should take this website as an example , really clean and fantastic user genial style . 628895
246818 294183I dont believe Ive scan anything like this before. So excellent to discover somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. thank for starting this up. This internet site is something that is necessary on the web, someone with just a little originality. Excellent job for bringing something new towards the internet! 807418