Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac is now released!

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ParallelsEvery year, Parallels continues to impress me with its ability to add new features to the already feature rich Parallels Desktop for Mac product. Since the time I started my journey with using a Mac and therefore using (at the time) Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac for my Windows virtualisation needs, it was impressive even at the time. And every year without fail, Parallels Desktop just continue to keep getting better, not just from the perspective of having new features but also in improving its performance. And now, Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac has just released available first for existing customer upgrades and soon, for new customers.

It’s closest competitor, VMWare, in my opinion don’t even come close to the rate of innovation Parallels does on the Mac virtualisation platform.

 Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac - Windows 8 Start Menu

Looking at the press release (full press release posted below), the feature set is seriously impressive. Let me highlight some of them which I think is rather useful.

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

Parallels 9 Cloud Services

This is seriously useful. No more redundant file synchronisation! And Photo Stream availability from the Windows VM? Wow! That was one feature that I’ve always wanted available!

Power Nap supportOn 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

Only one word. AWESOME!

Mac gestures inside Windows apps: Parallels Desktop now includes the addition of the Dictionary lookup gesture in Windows applications

Yet another feature that I wish was available when Mountain Lion was released and had the Dictionary lookup feature on the OS itself. Very useful indeed!

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

Parallels Print to PDF

Good bye CutePDF! 😀

Linux guest integration: Parallels Desktop customers who use Linux now have additional and enhanced integration with the Mac OS

I need to work with a Linux guest a lot. So this is also a plus point for me! The following are the new integration for Linux guest OS

  • Shared applications
  • Shared profile folders
  • Automatic Parallels Tools update
  • Added support for popular distributions: Linux Mint, Linux Mageia
  • Autodetect OS type from Live CD images
  • Nested virtualization support (Xen, KVM)
  • Symlinks in Shared folders
  • Support for latest Fedora
  • Download Ubuntu 13.04 VM from New VM Wizard

Overall, I’m very impressed with what they added from just reading about it on the press release and product briefing. I would be definitely be using the Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac soon and have a good feel on the latest features, after which I will be posting a comprehensive user PoV on it.


Parallels Desktop® 9 for Mac Seamlessly Unites Windows, Mac and the Cloud; Pushes the Envelope with up to 40 Percent Performance Improvement

No. 1-selling software for running Windows applications on a Mac delivers numerous indispensable conveniences for millions of users, including support for the upcoming Windows 8.1 and Mac OS X Mavericks

Renton, WA, USA – August 29, 2013 – 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 now have 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.

About Parallels
Parallels is a global leader in hosting and cloud services enablement and cross platform solutions. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with more than 900 employees in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

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