Parallels Desktop 6 promises better Windows experience on Mac

Parallels, makers of one of the most popular pieces of virtualization software for Mac OS X machines, has announced that the retail launch of Parallels Desktop 6 will be on September 14. This new version of Parallels Desktop promises to be faster, more tightly woven into OS X, and more powerful, with a total of 80 new or improved features.

Parallels Desktop 6 uses a 64-bit engine, which the company claims helps it run 41% faster than the last version, and helps Windows start twice as fast as it does in rival VMware's Fusion 3.1 virtualization suite.

Setting up virtual machines has also gotten much simpler in this version. Users can choose how they integrate their virtual machines into their desktop with a new virtual machine assistant. For example, virtual machines can run in their own dedicated window that looks like the OS' desktop, or they can run as a shell for individual pieces of software. Parallels has referred to these as "window mode" and "coherence mode." These options are now presented in a simpler fashion. Also, for Mac users unfamiliar with Windows controls, Mac command key shortcuts are now recognized in Windows when running in Parallels 6.

Parallels Desktop 6 also establishes a sort of machine-agnostic user identity. That is to say, content saved under the Mac "username" directory (My Documents, My Music, etc.) are automatically funneled into their respective positions in Windows. Likewise, browser settings and bookmarks are shared between Windows and OS X. USB devices and printers, traditionally a weak point with Parallels, can be assigned to always be recognized by a particular virtual machine or to the desktop OS.

Additional features include built-in antivirus and virtual machine encryption for improved security, and improved 3D graphics support and 5.1 surround sound support for improved gaming, one of the most common uses of Parallels, indeed.

This new version will be available on September 14 both as a download from Parallels.com and as a boxed product at Apple stores, Fry's, Microcenter, and others. Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac costs $79.99, and Student Edition is $39.99. Parallels Desktop 6 Switch to Mac Edition costs $99.99, and upgrades for existing Parallels customers are $49.99.