Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac Announced, Available Next Week

More than 90 new and enhanced features have been implemented in Parallels Desktop 7, which now includes Mac OS X Lion integration, performance boosts and support for the powerful new Parallels Mobile app and My Parallels services platform for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Available next week, on September 6, Parallels Desktop 7 is packed with some of the most requested features by users, the developers said.

It allows Mac users to run Windows, Linux, Snow Leopard Server, and now OS X Lion - both Client and Server, in a virtual machine.

Parallels 7 can leverage your Mac’s iSight / FaceTime camera in both Windows and Mac OS X at the same time.

Users will be able to enjoy Lion functionality like Full Screen, Launch Pad and Mission Control, for their Windows programs, as well as to use their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch to watch and listen to Flash videos in Windows on their Mac.

“…access and run your OS X, Windows, Chrome, Ubuntu and other operating systems, their applications and files on your Mac anytime from anywhere,” says Parallels Inc.

Another new addition is the ability to purchase and automatically install Windows on your Mac right from the Parallels Desktop 7 interface. The feature appears to be restricted to the U.S.

Touting the performance enhancements as the result of several under-the-hood tweaks, Parallels says the new solution outpaces its closest competitor, VMware Fusion, by a whopping 120 percent when copying files within Windows, and 40 percent when starting and resuming Windows.

Granted, these were tests conducted by Parallels themselves, so the results may be somewhat biased.

Parallels Desktop 7 is also said to be 60 percent faster than its predecessor, Parallels Desktop 6, for resuming Windows. For 3D graphics in some applications, it’s said to be up to 45 percent faster.

Parallels Desktop 7 Switch to Mac Edition was also announced. It includes Parallels Desktop 7 plus a Parallels High Speed USB transfer cable, and video tutorials.

A free trial of Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac will be available starting September 6.

Finally, Parallels updated their mobile iOS app that allows complete access to and control of the Mac, Windows and other desktops, full audio support and enhanced video streaming, including Flash websites and videos, even copy, cut and paste between Windows programs and the portable device.

For pricing and other information, visit Parallels here.