14 DAY TRIAL // Parallels Inc. has now officially released its flagship virtualization solution for download. Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac brings together the two most advanced desktop OSes today, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and Windows 8.
The eighth major release of Parallels Desktop allows fans of both Microsoft and Apple’s to use the new Mountain Lion Dictation tool across both operating systems. In other words, Parallels integrates key Mac OS features into Windows.
Another such example is the ability to drag and drop files from the desktop onto the Dock icons of Windows email clients to attach and share them.
Parallels Wizard allows you to download and install Windows and other operating systems on your Mac, automatically.
According to the developer, customers have thus far downloaded more than half a million copies of Windows using this built-in tool that facilitates a faster (disc-free) installation.
In fact, the company says, “many additional customers have moved their Windows PCs to their Mac or added Windows and other OSes.”
Parallels CEO Birger Steen, said “People don’t need to make an either/or choice between Mac and Windows because Macs running Parallels Desktop 8 empower people to simultaneously use applications that best suit their needs – regardless of whether it’s an app for OS X, Windows, Google Chrome OS, Ubuntu, or even Android.”
“We hear amazing stories from people every day – from students and teachers who need Windows for classes, and developers working on iOS and Android mobile devices, to businesspeople and parents – who all enjoy the freedom Parallels Desktop for Mac gives them,” Steen added.
Other Mac-specific additions include Retina display support (for owners of one of the new MacBook Pros), Mountain Lion gestures for Windows apps, and integration with Launchpad, and Notification Center.
Parallels Desktop 8 is said to be up to 30 percent faster for input/output (I/O) operations compared to its predecessor, Parallels Desktop 8.