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Parallels Desktop for Mac

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Parallels Desktop for Mac
Developer(s)Parallels, Inc.
Stable release
6.0.11822 / September 14, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-09-14)
Operating systemMac OS X
PlatformApple–Intel architecture
Available inMulti-lingual
TypeVirtual machine
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteParallels Desktop for Mac

Parallels Desktop for Mac by Parallels, Inc., is software providing hardware virtualization for Macintosh computers with Intel processors.

Overview

Parallels, Inc. is a developer of desktop and server virtualization software.

Historical

Released on June 15, 2006, it was the first software product to bring virtualization mainstream to Macintosh computers utilizing the Apple–Intel architecture (Connectix VirtualPC was released in 1997 for PowerPC Macs).

Its name initially was 'Parallels Workstation for Mac OS X', which was consistent with the company's corresponding Linux and Windows products. This name was not well received within the Mac community, where some felt that the name, particularly the term “workstation,” evoked the aesthetics of a Windows product. Parallels agreed: “Since we've got a great Mac product, we should make it look and sound like a Mac product...”, it was therefore renamed ‘Parallels Desktop for Mac’.[1]

On January 10, 2007, Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac was awarded “Best in Show” at MacWorld 2007.[2]

Technical

Parallels Desktop for Mac is a hardware emulation virtualization software, using hypervisor technology that works by mapping the host computer’s hardware resources directly to the virtual machine’s resources. Each virtual machine thus operates identically to a standalone computer, with virtually all the resources of a physical computer.[3] Because all guest virtual machines use the same hardware drivers irrespective of the actual hardware on the host computer, virtual machine instances are highly portable between computers. For example, a running virtual machine can be stopped, copied to another physical computer, and restarted.

Parallels Desktop for Mac is able to virtualize a full set of standard PC hardware, including[4]

  • A virtualized CPU of the same type as the host's physical processor,
  • ACPI compliance system,
  • A generic motherboard compatible with the Intel i965 chipset,
  • Up to 8 GB of RAM for guest virtual machines,
  • Up to 256 MB of video RAM (VRAM),
  • VGA and SVGA video adapter with VESA 3.0 support and OpenGL and DirectX acceleration,
  • A 1.44 MB floppy drive, which can be mapped to a physical drive or to an image file,
  • Up to four IDE devices. This includes virtual hard drives ranging in size from 20 MB to 2 TB each and CD/DVD-ROM drives. Virtual CD/DVD-ROM drives can be mapped to either physical drives or ISO image files.
  • DVD/CD-ROM “pass-through” access,
  • Up to four serial ports that can be mapped to a pipe or to an output file,
  • Up to three bi-directional parallel ports, each of which can be mapped to a real port, to a real printer, or to an output file,
  • An Ethernet virtual network card compatible with Realtek RTL8029(AS), capable of up to 16 network interface connections,
  • Up to eight USB 2.0 devices and two USB 1.1 devices,
  • An AC'97-compatible sound card.
  • A 104-key Windows enhanced keyboard and a PS/2 wheel mouse.

Note that no mention is made of support for the following host interfaces:

Version 2.5

File:Parallels coherence.jpg
Parallels Coherence

The first official release of version 2.5 was on February 27, 2007, as build 3186.

Version 2.5 brought support for USB 2.0 devices, which expanded the number of USB devices supported at native speed, including support for built in iSight USB web-cams. The amount of video RAM allocated to the guest OS was made adjustable, up to 32MB. Full featured CD/DVD drives arrived in this version, which allowed the user to burn disks directly in the virtual environment, and play any copy-protected CD or DVD as one would in OS X. In addition, a shared clipboard and drag-drop support between OS X and the guest OS was implemented. This version brought the ability for users with a Windows XP installation to upgrade to Windows Vista from within the VM environment.[5] A new feature known as Coherence was added, which removed the Windows chrome, desktop, and the virtualization frames to create a more seamless desktop environment between Windows and OS X applications. This version also allowed users to boot their existing Boot Camp Windows XP partitions, which eliminated the need to have multiple Windows installations on their Mac. A tool called Parallels Transporter was included to allow users to migrate their Windows PC, or existing VMware or Virtual PC VMs to Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Netsys lawsuit

In 2007, the German company Netsys GmbH sued Parallels' German distributor Avanquest for copyright violation, claiming that Parallels Desktop and Parallels Workstation are directly based on a line of products called “twoOStwo” that Parallels developed on paid commission for Netsys, of which it says, Netsys has been assigned all copyrights, according to news sources.[6] The lawsuit claimed that Parallels Desktop 2.5's compatibility with “twoOStwo”, which was developed for and paid for by Netsys, showed that the two software products are run by essentially the same functional core.[7] When Netsys lost its initial urgency proceeding, in which it requested a temporary injunction from the Landgericht district court of Berlin, it filed a new suit.[8]

Version 3.0

File:Parallels Desktop graphics.jpg
Parallels Desktop features hardware accelerated 3D graphics, and runs many Windows games, including Crysis, shown here.

On June 7, 2007 build 4124 was released as the first publicly available version of Desktop 3.0.

Version 3.0 retained all of the functionality from previous versions and added new features and tools. Support for DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL[9] was added, allowing Mac users to play some Windows games without the need to boot into Windows with Boot Camp.[10] A new feature called SmartSelect offers cross OS file and application integration by allowing the user to open Windows files with Mac OS X programs and vice versa. Parallels Explorer was introduced, which allows the user to browse their Windows system files in OS X without actually launching Windows. A new snapshot feature was included, allowing one to restore their virtual machine environment to a previous state in case of issues. Further, Parallels added a security manager to limit the amount of interaction between the Windows and OS X installations. This version included a long awaited complete “Parallels tools'” driver suite for Linux guest operating systems. Therefore integration between Mac OS X and Linux guest-OS's has been greatly improved.[11]

Despite the addition of numerous new features, tools and added functionality, the first iteration of Desktop for Mac 3.0 may be missing some of features that Parallels had planned for it. A Parallels, Inc. representative stated at MacWorld in January 2007 that version 3.0 would bring accelerated graphics, “multi-core virtual machines/virtual SMP, some SCSI support, a more Mac-like feel, as well as a more sophisticated coherence mode, dubbed Coherence 2.0”.[12] While accelerated graphics have materialised, Coherence, as well as the overall look and feel of Parallels Desktop for Mac has only changed slightly. Also, SCSI support has not been implemented.[13]

It is currently unknown if these features have been abandoned altogether, or if they will show up in a later build of version 3.0.

Build 4560, released on July 17, 2007,[14] added an imaging tool which allowed users to add capacity to their virtual disks.

Feature update

Parallels Coherence in Exposé

Build 5160, released on September 11, 2007,[15] added some new features and updated some current features.

The release focused on updates to Coherence, with support for Exposé , window shadows, and transparent windows and the ability to overlap several Windows and Mac windows. Further, Parallels' Image Tool was updated to allow one to change their virtual hard disk format between plain and expanding. Parallels Explorer was updated to allow for one to automatically mount an offline VM hard drive to the Mac desktop. Some new features added are iPhone support in Windows, allowing iTunes in Windows to sync with it.[16] Users can now mirror desktops or other folders. Further, Mac drives can now be mapped by Windows and sound devices can now be changed ‘on the fly’. Up to 2 GB of RAM can be allocated to a virtual machine, with a total of 4 GB of RAM available.[17]

Parallels Desktop for Mac Build 5608 added support for guest Parallels Tools for Linux in the latest Linux distributions (including Ubuntu 8). It also added support for running 3D graphics in Windows virtual machines on Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.3.

Use of code from the Wine project

According to Parallels' Licensing page, Desktop for Mac version 3.0 contains Direct3D code that was originally developed by the Wine open source project.[18] Wine software is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, which required Parallels to release the source code. Parallels released the modified source code on July 2, 2007, about 2 weeks after the promised release date.[19] A Parallels spokesman explained the reasons for the delay in a message on the official company blog.[20]

Version 4.0

Version 4.0, released November 11, 2008,[21] updates its GUI, adds some new features, enhances its performance by up to 50%[22] and has been developed to consume 15–30% less power than previous versions.[23] Version 4.0 is the first version of Parallels Desktop that supports both 32-bit and 64-bit guest operating systems. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac’s 3D support includes DirectX 9.0, DirectX Pixel Shader 2.0 and OpenGL 2.0 [24] as well as 256 MB video memory. It also adds support for 8 GB RAM in a virtual machine and 8-way SMP. Parallels Desktop 4.0 introduces an adaptive hypervisor, which allows users to focus the host computer’s resources towards either host or the guest operating system.[25]

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac adds some new features such as:

  • A fourth viewing mode called Modality,[21] which allows users to scale the size of an active guest operating system on the Mac’s desktop
  • A new screenshot utility called Clips, which lets users take and share screenshots between the host and the guest operating systems.
  • Start Menu integration and Automatic Windows Notifications on the Apple Menu Bar.
  • The ability to use select voice commands[26] to remotely control the virtual machine.
  • The ability to start and stop a virtual machine via the iPhone. (Requires installing an iPhone application from Apple's AppStore.)

Since the Version 4.0 release, Parallels Desktop for Mac has a new logo. The new logo has what resembles an aluminum iMac, with what appears to be Windows XP on the screen and 2 parallel red lines overlaid on right side.

Feature Update

Build 3810, released January 9, 2009,[27] includes performance enhancements and features, such as DirectX 9.0 Shaders Model 2 and Vertex Shader support for additional 3D support Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE4) for better media applications performance. Build 3810 also adds support for running Windows 7 in a VM and for running Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server as either a host or as a guest OS.[28]

Also included are usability features such as the ability to share Windows files by dragging them directly to a Mac application in Mac Dock. Windows can now also automatically start in the background when a user opens a Windows application on the Mac desktop. Version 4.0 drew criticism for problems upgrading from Version 3.0 shortly after its initial release.[29] Build 3810 also addresses installation and upgrade issues previously experienced with Version 4.0 and introduces the option to enroll in the company's new Customer Experience Program, which lets customers provide information about their preferences and user priorities.

Version 5

Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac, released November 4, 2009, updates the UI, adds new view modes for customization, improves 3D graphics performance by seven times and has been optimized so that virtual machine operations are 300% faster than the previous version. Optimized for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and fully supporting Windows 7, its graphic enhancements include support for Open GL 2.1 and DirectX 9c/Ex with Shader Model 3. It also introduces more Mac-like virtual machine animation by taking advantage of Apple's Quartz Composer animations.

New features include:

  • A fifth viewing mode, Crystal, which removes even more of the Windows UI and allows users to access Windows applications from a new icon in the Mac Tool Bar,
  • A new feature called MacLook that themes Windows applications and makes them look like Mac,
  • The ability to use Multi-Touch gestures (from a trackpad or Magic Mouse) in Windows applications, and to use Apple Remote to control Windows applications like PowerPoint,
  • The ability to drag and drop formatted text and images between Windows, Linux, and Mac applications,
  • The ability for a system administrator to lock down a virtual machine so that users can't change the state of the virtual machine,
  • Support for Open GL 2.1 for Linux guest virtual machines.

Feature Update

Build 9308, released on December 21, 2009, added some new features.[30]

Linux guest operating systems

  • Parallels Tools support Xorg 1.7 in Fedora 12 virtual machines (experimental)
  • Parallels Tools support Mandriva 2010 (experimental)
  • OpenSUSE 11.1 installation media auto detection

Virtualization

  • Improved performance for USB mass storage.

Windows guest operating systems

  • Improved resume from suspend in virtual machines with multiple monitors assigned.
  • Improved performance of file access via Shared Folders.

3D & Video

  • Improved performance for video playback in Windows Vista and Windows 7.
  • Windows Aero is not available by default for machines with Intel GMA X3100 and GMA 950 graphic adapters (some MacBook and Mac Mini models). It is available on MacBooks with NVIDIA 9400M graphics cards.[31]
  • Vertical synchronization is now configurable. You can configure these settings using the corresponding option in the virtual machine video configuration page.
  • Improved 3D performance for the video game Mirror's Edge.

Mac OS X Server guest operating system

  • The ability to pass kernel options to the Mac OS X Server guest OS has been added. To do so, enable the "Select boot device on startup" option in the virtual machine configuration: it will enable you to specify the necessary kernel options in the 5-seconds timeout before booting the kernel.

Version 6

Officially announced on September 9, 2010 and to be launched on September 14, 2010, Parallel 6 sports full 64-bit support for the first time. Parallels claims that Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac "[has] over 80 new and improved features, including speed 40% above the previous version." Specific new features include:

  • An all-new 64-bit engine
  • 5.1 Surround Sound support
  • Better import implementation of VMware, Virtual PC virtual machines and Boot Camp partitions
  • Improved network, hard drive and Transporter performance
  • Windows program Spotlight integration
  • Faster Windows launch time
  • Enhanced 3D graphics that are 40% better than previous versions
  • Ability to extend Mac OS X Parental Controls to Windows applications
  • Ability to use OS X keyboard shortcuts in Windows applications
  • Enhanced Spaces and Exposé support

On September 9, 2010 Parallels announced that its next-generation Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac virtualization software will launch on September 14, bringing speed enhancements and a host of new features. In product benchmark testing, results show Parallels Desktop 6 remains atop the performance rankings that people consider most important. 3D graphics run nearly 40 percent better than before. Boot time for Windows is 41 percent faster than before. Parallels Desktop 6 also boosts speed for working with files on USB drives, networks and in shared folders. Among the over 80 new and improved features of Parallels Desktop 6 are a full 64-bit engine, support for 5.1 surround sound, enhanced 3D graphics, parental controls, VM encryption, Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts for Windows applications, data migration, and anti-virus support. For information source click here.

Supported operating systems

Host

Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac requires an Intel-powered Mac running Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" 10.4.11 or later.[32]

Guest

In Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac, support for guests includes a variety of 32-bit and 64-bit x86 operating systems, including[32]

Known limitations

Parallels Desktop for Mac 5, as of November 2009, has issues including:

  • Windows theme may be switched to Windows Classic theme upon disabling the MacLook option. To work around this issue, enable MacLook, and then disable it again, or restart the virtual machine.
  • Apple Remote does not work exclusively within the virtual machine on Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.6.1 (Snow Leopard). To solve this Issue, upgrade your system to Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later.
  • Shared folders do not work in 64-bit Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server virtual machines. In 32-bit Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server virtual machines, shared folders work fine.
  • Some foreign (VMware for instance) Ubuntu virtual machines cannot be imported using the Parallels Transporter.[33] This is probably an ext4 problem.

See also

References

  1. ^ Rudolph, Ben (2006-05-18). "Parallels Workstation for Mac OS X is now Parallels Desktop for Mac—and the release candidate is ready for download!". The Official Parallels Virtualization Blog. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
  2. ^ Rudolph, Ben (2006-05-18). "Parallels Desktop for Mac Update RC Wins MacWorld Expo 2007 "Best in Show"". Parallels, Inc. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
  3. ^ "Parallels Desktop for Mac Datasheet" (PDF). Parallels, Inc. Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  4. ^ "System Requirements". Parallels, Inc. Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  5. ^ "Desktop Release Features". Parallels Web. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
  6. ^ Virtual Strategy Magazine – Virtualization's Dirty Laundry Aired in German Court Room
  7. ^ Virtualization's Dirty Laundry Aired in German Court Room – Virtual Strategy Magazine
  8. ^ MacNN | Netsys sues Parallels German distributor
  9. ^ "Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0 3D Graphics". SWSoft Parallels. 2007-06-07.
  10. ^ Wang, Anthony (2006-12-11). "Inside Mac Games Interviews Parallels". Inside Mac Games. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  11. ^ "Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0 overview". SWSoft Parallels. 2007-05-31.
  12. ^ Chang, Jacqui (2007-01-11). "Ars at Macworld: Interview with Parallels". Arstechica.
  13. ^ "Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0 overview". SWSoft Parallels. 2007-06-07.
  14. ^ Rudolph, Ben (2007-07-17). Desktop for Mac 3.0 – Build 4560. Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
  15. ^ Rudolph, Ben (2007-09-01). "Parallels Desktop 3.0 Feature Update is LIVE!". Official Parallels Blog. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  16. ^ "Beta Announcement Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac Feature Update". Parallels, Inc. 2007-08-02.
  17. ^ Parallels Desktop 3.0 build 5160 features and improvements
  18. ^ Licensing information. Parallels, Inc. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.
  19. ^ Dösinger, Stefan (2007-07-03). Parallels Desktop Watch. The official Wine Wiki. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
  20. ^ Rudolph, Ben (July 3, 2007). The Lowdown on Parallels & Wine. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
  21. ^ a b http://www.powerpage.org/2008/11/parallels_desktop_for_mac_40_released.html
  22. ^ http://www.techspot.com/news/32413-parallels-lauches-desktop-for-mac-40.html
  23. ^ http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Parallels-Desktop-40-Mac-Offers/story.aspx?guid=%7B012A7E5A-5481-4482-B296-0472824F2013%7D
  24. ^ http://www.macworld.com/article/136717/2008/11/parallels.html
  25. ^ http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/mac/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212001646
  26. ^ http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/11/parallels-40-re.html
  27. ^ http://weblog.infoworld.com/virtualization/archives/2009/01/parallels_updat_2.html
  28. ^ http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/parallels_desktop_4.0_build_3810_released/
  29. ^ http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/65195.html
  30. ^ A Holiday Basket of Goodies: Parallels Desktop 5 Build 9308 and New Features http://blogs.parallels.com/consumertech/2009/12/a-holiday-basket-of-goodies-parallels-desktop-5-build-9308-and-new-features.html
  31. ^ Aero support in Parallels 5 Aero does not work in Parallels 5
  32. ^ a b "System Requirements – Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac". Parallels. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  33. ^ http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=95875

Reviews

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